POPcon™
Exchange POP3 & IMAP Connector
Download email from external POP3 and IMAP mailboxes directly into Microsoft Exchange Server. Automatic distribution to the correct Exchange mailboxes — runs as a Windows service, around the clock.
What POPcon does
Connects to any number of external POP3 or IMAP mailboxes on a configurable schedule. Downloads messages and injects them directly into Exchange Server via SMTP or MAPI.
Analyzes message headers (To:, CC:, X-Envelope-To, Delivered-To, and others) to route each email to the correct Exchange mailbox automatically. No manual sorting required.
All connections to remote mail servers use TLS encryption. Supports STARTTLS and implicit TLS on POP3 (port 995) and IMAP (port 993) to keep credentials and mail in transit secure.
Installs as a native Windows Service. Starts automatically with the server, runs continuously in the background without a logged-in user, and survives reboots without manual intervention.
Configure retrieval intervals from 1 minute to 24 hours per mailbox. Run immediate on-demand polls from the management console at any time. Adjust per-account to match your mail volume.
Manage dozens or hundreds of POP3/IMAP accounts from a single console. Import account lists in bulk, clone configurations, and monitor all connections from one place.
Routes undeliverable messages (NDRs) to a designated catch-all mailbox rather than discarding them. Keeps a complete record of delivery failures for investigation.
Maintains a rolling log of all retrieval activity: connection attempts, message counts, delivery confirmations, and errors. Essential for diagnosing delivery issues without guessing.
POPcon vs POPcon PRO
Choose the edition that matches your environment.
- POP3 & IMAP retrieval into Exchange
- TLS 1.2 / 1.3 encryption
- Automatic header-based mail distribution
- Windows Service — 24/7 operation
- Configurable polling schedules
- Multi-mailbox management console
- NDR / bounce handling
- Detailed activity logging
- Built-in antivirus scanning
- Built-in antispam filtering
- Parallel download threads
- Mail archiving
- Everything in POPcon Standard
- TLS 1.2 / 1.3 encryption
- Automatic header-based mail distribution
- Windows Service — 24/7 operation
- Configurable polling schedules
- Multi-mailbox management console
- NDR / bounce handling
- Detailed activity logging
- Built-in antivirus scanning
- Built-in antispam filtering
- Parallel download threads
- Mail archiving
Runs on every Exchange version
Exchange Server
Operating System
Set up your Exchange Server for POPcon
Step-by-step guides for every Exchange version we support — from new Exchange Server SE deployments to legacy Exchange 5.5 boxes still running in the wild. Pick the matching version below.
Common Exchange + POPcon issues
- “530 5.7.1 Client was not authenticated” from Exchange
- “550 5.7.1 Unable to relay” from Exchange
- Exchange does not accept emails larger than 10 MB
- “452 4.3.1 Insufficient system resources”
- “451 4.7.0 Temporary server error” on Exchange 2013
- “421 4.4.1 Connection timed out”
- “Must issue a STARTTLS command first”
- Why POPcon needs the “accepted domains” setting
- Transfer POPcon settings to a new Exchange server
- Microsoft 365 / Outlook online with OAuth2
Common questions
How does POPcon distribute emails to the right Exchange mailboxes?
POPcon analyzes message headers — To:, CC:, X-Envelope-To, Delivered-To, and others — to identify the intended recipient, then delivers each message directly to that Exchange mailbox. You can also configure catch-all rules for messages that don't match a specific address.
Can POPcon connect to Gmail or Microsoft 365 with OAuth?
Yes. POPcon v4.8.1+ supports OAuth 2.0 (modern authentication) for both Google and Microsoft accounts. The OAuth setup wizard in POPconAdmin guides you through the authorization flow. No password storage required.
How do I configure Exchange to accept connections from POPcon?
You need to configure an Exchange Receive Connector to accept SMTP connections from the POPcon server's IP address. Our Knowledge Base has step-by-step guides for every Exchange version from 5.5 through 2019.
Exchange is rejecting POPcon emails with "530 5.7.1 Client was not authenticated"
This means Exchange requires authentication from POPcon. In POPconAdmin, enable SMTP authentication and enter a valid Exchange account. Alternatively, configure the Receive Connector to allow anonymous relay from the POPcon server's IP. The correct approach depends on your security requirements.
Can I retrieve from multiple POP3/IMAP accounts?
Yes, POPcon handles as many accounts as you need from a single installation. Each account can be configured with its own retrieval interval, protocol (POP3 or IMAP), credentials, and distribution rules. Manage them all from the POPconAdmin console.
How do I move my POPcon installation to a new server?
Use File > Export Config in POPconAdmin to save your configuration. Install POPcon on the new server and use File > Import Config. All account settings transfer. Exchange Receive Connector settings may need to be updated to reflect the new server's IP address.
Emails are stuck in the queue or not reaching Exchange
Check the POPcon log file first — it records each connection attempt and SMTP response. Common causes: port 25 blocked on the Exchange server, Receive Connector not configured for the POPcon IP, or Exchange message size limits. See our Knowledge Base for specific error codes.
What Exchange versions are supported?
Exchange 4.5 through Exchange 2019, plus Exchange Server SE, and all SBS (Small Business Server) versions. Also compatible with Lotus Notes Domino for legacy deployments. Runs on Windows Server 2012–2025 and Windows 7–11.
Version history
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