Windows 8 Outlook 2013 and webmail

I am struggling setting up an email account the way I want it (like it used to be in Outlook Express). I set up several email addresses when I got this new system but since discovered problems. These addresses were configured with "imap/pop" - kind of a default. When I open Outlook it downloads the email but does not remove it from the server. I've learned that "imap" connects webmail with Outlook such that if I delete an email on webmail it also deletes it in Outlook and vice verse.

One of the surprises, and the way I discovered there was a problem, is I did not receive email for a week on my busiest email address. When I went to webmail I discovered email dated all the way back to August was still there! Wow, the mail box was full and explains why I was not getting any more email. So I deleted this email off webmail. Went back to Outlook and to my shock and surprise it was also deleted out of Outlook! I confess to expressing more than my usual share of bad words. Lots of very important and valuable email lost in cyberspace.

I've tried to create a new email address with pop without success. Online support does not give information for Windows 8 and Outlook 2013, specifically what numbers to use for ports (993, 110, 25, 995, 465, or ?).

Frankly, I feel limited by imap. Pop seems to offer more options like deleting email off the server after a number of days I specify. If anyone has any insight on this or recommendations (imap or pop), or a step by step proceedure to get an email (the way I want it) set up I would be most appreciative. Cox support has step by step for all but Windows 8 using Outlook 2013.

I'm using this at home. Nothing fancy like using gmail, vista mail, live mail, etc., or business connection.

Thanks, Ses.