AOL versions: different webmail interfaces for your email account

AOL versions: different webmail interfaces for your email account cover image
  1. Home
  2. AOL
  3. AOL versions: different webmail interfaces for your email account

At the time of writing, there are three versions of AOL webmail – Basic, Standard and Accessible. There is a fourth one too which I see at my old email account. Not sure why I still get this interface. Anyway, on this page, you will get to know a little more about these versions and how to switch between them.

I urge you to try out the different versions to see which one suits your needs. Remember, the versions vary only in the way the email account is displayed to you. All the messages, contact information and other data will remain the way it is.

Sponsored Links

The Standard AOL webmail version

The Standard AOL webmail interface is the default. It’s clean, extremely user-friendly and runs well on all modern web browsers. Users that work on old browsers may find many features non-functional and may be prompted to change to the less-intensive Basic interface. Such a prompt would also be displayed if the Internet connection you are using is slow.

Note: Subscribers who’ve recently created an AOL email address would see their account displayed in the Standard interface.

Below is a snapshot of my account as displayed in the Standard AOL webmail version.

Standard layout of the AOL webmail interface

To switch to Basic or Accessible, click on the “Options” link (top-right corner) and select it from the drop down menu (refer image above). When you load the Basic or Accessible version, a yellow colored bar is displayed notifying you of the change.

When the Accessible version is loaded, you might be shown a pop-up as below. Click “OK” to confirm.

Pop-up displayed when switching to the Accessible version from the Standard webmail layout in AOL

The Basic version – simple and straightforward

The AOL Basic webmail version is mainly for users who work through an older browser, are on a slow internet connection or simply don’t want to change and adopt new things. After all, there is comfort in familiarity, right?

The interface is simple with no bells-and-whistles. To switch to the Standard or Accessible version, locate and click on the corresponding link which should be at the bottom of the page.

The AOL webmail Basic version as displayed in the Google Chrome web browser

AOL’s great effort for senior (?) citizens – the Accessible version

Apparently, a sizeable number of AOL users are senior citizens – the company has been an email service provider for a quite some time now. Anyway, I greatly applaud the effort AOL has put into the Accessible version which shows that they truly care for their subscribers.

AOL prides itself on making products for people with accessibility problems. This version supposedly works better with screen-reader software and helps users to easily navigate the different sections and options. The Accessible version also supports a whole gamut of keyboard shortcuts similar to those found in email clients.

AOL's Accessible webmail version - quite similar to the Basic version

The fourth version – unknown

My old AOL email account loads in an interface which is like a cross between the Standard and the Basic versions of today. I suppose it was the ‘Standard’ some years back because I see the links to Basic and Accessible versions at the bottom. It also features a plugins gallery to the right.

The old Standard version of the AOL email interface

AOL