Which Microsoft product is this for?
This guide is for free consumer Microsoft webmail, addresses ending in @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @msn.com with no paid subscription. If you have a paid Microsoft 365 subscription (Personal, Family, or Business tiers), see the dedicated Microsoft 365 email settings guide, the SMTP server differs for Business plans.
Hotmail and Outlook.com are Microsoft’s free consumer webmail service, running on the same Outlook.com backend. Hotmail launched in 1996 (acquired by Microsoft in 1997) and was rebranded to Outlook.com in 2013; the legacy @hotmail.com, @live.com, and @msn.com addresses continue to work and share identical server settings with @outlook.com. Combined, this consumer platform serves over 400 million active users. Setting up Hotmail or Outlook.com in a third-party mail client requires the exact IMAP, POP3, and SMTP settings documented on this page, along with an understanding of Outlook.com’s specific authentication requirements.
One important operational detail: Outlook.com uses modern authentication protocols and requires app passwords for accounts with two-factor authentication. This is different from how most mainstream email services handle third-party client access, and it is the single most common reason initial setup fails when users copy generic instructions from other guides.
Below you will find the current server hostnames, ports, and encryption modes for Outlook.com and Hotmail, along with a walkthrough of the authentication flow, notes on Exchange ActiveSync availability and Microsoft account unified sign-in, and answers to the most common connection problems reported by users.
Quick Hotmail / Outlook.com Email Settings
These Hotmail and Outlook.com email settings cover all free consumer Microsoft webmail addresses: @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com, and @msn.com.
| Protocol | Server | Port | Encryption |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMTP (outgoing) | smtp-mail.outlook.com | 587 | STARTTLS |
| IMAP (incoming) | outlook.office365.com | 993 | SSL/TLS |
| POP3 (incoming, disabled by default) | outlook.office365.com | 995 | SSL/TLS |
Tip: If you see an @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @msn.com address, you’re on free consumer Outlook.com, use the settings above. If you sign in through Microsoft 365 with a paid subscription (Personal, Family, Business, or a custom domain like you@company.com), see the Microsoft 365 email settings guide instead.
Introduction: Hotmail / Outlook.com Email Settings
Microsoft has rebranded its free consumer webmail several times, Hotmail (1996), Windows Live Mail (2005), Outlook.com (2013), but all four domains (@outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com, @msn.com) run on the same Outlook.com backend today and share identical IMAP, POP, and SMTP settings. This guide focuses on that free consumer stack. For paid Microsoft 365 subscriptions (Personal, Family, or Business tiers with custom domains), see the Microsoft 365 email settings guide, consumer M365 shares the same SMTP server as free Outlook.com, but Business M365 uses a different Exchange Online endpoint.
Security & Access Controls (Outlook.com and Microsoft 365)
Modern Auth, OAuth2, and Legacy Passwords
Unlike Gmail email settings or Yahoo, Microsoft is moving away from basic username/password authentication toward OAuth2 and modern authentication flows for both Outlook.com and Microsoft 365. Some older clients may no longer connect using only stored passwords and may need app registrations, OAuth tokens, or special app passwords depending on your tenant configuration.
With Outlook.com, you generally still sign in with your Microsoft account password, but you must enable POP/IMAP access explicitly and use TLS on the documented ports. With Microsoft 365, admins control whether IMAP, POP, and authenticated SMTP are allowed for each user and for which auth flows.
Enabling IMAP/POP Access
On Outlook.com, POP and IMAP access are off by default for many accounts. To enable:
- Sign in to Outlook.com in a browser and click the settings gear → View all Outlook settings.
- Go to Mail → Sync email.
- Under POP and IMAP, toggle Let devices and apps use POP (and IMAP if shown) to Yes.
- Click Save.
In Microsoft 365, admins must turn on IMAP, POP, and “Authenticated SMTP” in the tenant’s modern authentication and per‑user “Manage email apps” settings for the mailbox.
Outlook.com / Hotmail / Live / MSN, IMAP Settings (Recommended)
Enabling IMAP for Outlook.com Accounts
Outlook.com exposes IMAP access for most consumer accounts once you have allowed devices and apps to connect via POP/IMAP in the Sync email settings. IMAP is the recommended protocol for modern clients because it keeps your mailbox in sync across web, desktop, and mobile.
IMAP Server Settings for Outlook.com Family
Use these IMAP settings for Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, and MSN addresses:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| IMAP server | outlook.office365.com |
| Port | 993 |
| Encryption | SSL/TLS required |
| Authentication | Required (password / modern auth) |
| Username | Your full Outlook.com / Hotmail / Live / MSN email address |
| Password | Your Microsoft account password (or app/modern auth token, depending on client) |
Some older documentation still references imap-mail.outlook.com, but Microsoft now prefers outlook.office365.com as the IMAP host for Outlook.com family accounts.
Outlook.com / Hotmail / Live / MSN, POP Settings (Legacy / Special)
Enabling POP in Outlook.com
POP is disabled by default for Outlook.com. To enable it, use the same Mail → Sync email → POP and IMAP settings described earlier and turn on Let devices and apps use POP, then save your changes.
POP Server Settings for Outlook.com Family
After POP is enabled, configure POP clients with:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| POP server | outlook.office365.com |
| Port | 995 |
| Encryption | SSL/TLS required |
| Authentication | Required (password / modern auth) |
| Username | Your full Outlook.com / Hotmail / Live / MSN email address |
| Password | Your Microsoft account password |
Legacy guides sometimes list pop-mail.outlook.com, but current reference material points to outlook.office365.com on port 995 for POP as well.
POP Use Cases and Warnings
POP makes sense if you want to download all messages to a single device for offline storage or one‑time export. However, mixing POP on one client with IMAP on others can cause confusing behavior, especially if the POP client deletes messages from the server after download.
Outlook.com / Hotmail / Live / MSN, SMTP Settings (Sending)
Core SMTP Settings for Outlook.com Family
Use these SMTP settings for all consumer Outlook.com family addresses:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| SMTP server | smtp-mail.outlook.com |
| Port | 587 |
| Encryption | STARTTLS (TLS) required |
| Authentication | Required |
| Username | Your full Outlook.com / Hotmail / Live / MSN email address |
| Password | Your Microsoft account password |
Some setups also work against smtp.office365.com for Outlook.com accounts, but smtp-mail.outlook.com on port 587 with STARTTLS is the canonical consumer endpoint.
Send‑as Aliases and Connected Accounts
Outlook.com lets you add aliases and connected accounts in its web settings. When you send mail from those addresses, SMTP still authenticates using your primary Microsoft account credentials, but the From header can reflect the alias or connected account.
If you rely heavily on multiple brands or domains, it can be cleaner to move to Microsoft 365 or a dedicated SMTP/ESP that lets you manage multiple identities and domains more explicitly.
Regional Outlook / Hotmail Domains: Do They Use the Same Settings?
All regional variants of Microsoft’s free consumer webmail run on the same Outlook.com backend. Only the email address changes, the IMAP, POP, and SMTP hostnames stay identical.
| Domain Brand | Example Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outlook.com (global) | user@outlook.com | Standard consumer Outlook.com settings. |
| Outlook regional domains | user@outlook.fr, user@outlook.de, user@outlook.co.uk, etc. | Same servers as outlook.com; region is only in the email address. |
| Hotmail / Live / MSN | user@hotmail.com, user@live.com, user@msn.com | Legacy brands that now run on the Outlook.com platform. |
| Localized Hotmail (legacy) | user@hotmail.fr, user@hotmail.co.uk, user@hotmail.de | Same Outlook.com stack; some very old regional Hotmail addresses may need re-migration if inactive. |
All rows above use outlook.office365.com for IMAP (port 993, SSL/TLS) and POP (port 995, SSL/TLS), and smtp-mail.outlook.com for SMTP (port 587, STARTTLS). For a custom-domain address like user@yourcompany.com, you’re on a paid Microsoft 365 subscription, see the Microsoft 365 email settings guide instead.
WordPress & Apps: Using Outlook / Office 365 SMTP
WordPress SMTP Plugins with Outlook.com / Hotmail
For low‑volume transactional email (contact forms, password resets) from personal Outlook.com or Hotmail accounts, configure a WordPress SMTP plugin as follows:
- SMTP host:
smtp-mail.outlook.com - Port:
587 - Encryption: STARTTLS/TLS
- Authentication: enabled
- Username: your Outlook.com / Hotmail / Live email
- Password: your Microsoft account password
This is acceptable for small sites or testing, but for production environments and anything more than occasional notifications, it is safer to use a dedicated SMTP relay or Microsoft 365 mailbox with proper governance.
For Microsoft 365 subscriptions (Personal, Family, or Business tiers) with a custom domain, see the Microsoft 365 email settings guide, Business tiers use a different SMTP server (smtp.office365.com) and Exchange Online admins may need to enable Authenticated SMTP per mailbox.
Configuring Outlook.com / 365 in Popular Email Clients
This section addresses long‑tail queries like “outlook email settings for iphone / android / thunderbird / mailbird / em client”. All clients use the same IMAP/SMTP endpoints; only the UI differs.
Outlook.com Email Settings for Outlook Desktop
On Windows or Mac, Outlook desktop can usually auto‑discover Outlook.com settings if you sign in with your Microsoft account:
- In Outlook, go to File → Add Account.
- Enter your Outlook.com / Hotmail / Live email and click Connect.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account password when prompted.
If you must configure manually, choose IMAP and use outlook.office365.com:993 with SSL/TLS for incoming and smtp-mail.outlook.com:587 with STARTTLS for outgoing, with your full email and password as credentials.
Outlook / Hotmail IMAP & SMTP in Thunderbird
Thunderbird’s account setup can auto‑configure Outlook.com and Microsoft 365 mailboxes by entering your email and password in the “Add Mail Account” dialog. Verify that IMAP is selected and that the server and port settings match the IMAP/SMTP tables above.
For Microsoft 365, Thunderbird may use OAuth2 for modern authentication; if that is enabled in your tenant, you will see a Microsoft 365 sign‑in window instead of entering the password directly.
Outlook.com / 365 in Apple Mail (macOS) & iOS Mail
On macOS, go to System Settings → Internet Accounts → Add Account and choose Outlook.com for personal mail or Microsoft Exchange for Microsoft 365; Apple Mail will automatically configure IMAP/SMTP based on Microsoft’s service metadata.
On iPhone/iPad, use Settings → Mail → Accounts → Add Account, selecting Outlook.com or Microsoft Exchange as appropriate. iOS will handle server configuration and authentication; you rarely need to enter IMAP/SMTP endpoints manually.
Outlook / Hotmail on Android & Outlook Mobile
The Outlook mobile app (on iOS and Android) is Microsoft’s recommended client for both Outlook.com and Microsoft 365 mailboxes. Sign in with your Microsoft account or Microsoft 365 credentials, and the app will apply the correct server settings behind the scenes.
If you prefer the device’s native Mail app or another client, choose the Outlook.com or Exchange option when available, or configure IMAP/SMTP manually using the values from the quick summary table.
eMClient, Mailbird, Mailspring, Postbox, BlueMail, etc.
Most independent clients (Mailbird, eM Client, Mailspring, Postbox, BlueMail) include built‑in templates for Outlook.com and Microsoft 365. Use their “Outlook.com” or “Office 365 / Exchange” profiles for automatic configuration.
If auto‑discovery fails, switch to manual setup and re‑use the IMAP/SMTP server names and ports from the tables above, with SSL/TLS and full email address as the username.
Troubleshooting Outlook / Hotmail / Microsoft 365 Email Settings
Symptom → Outlook.com vs Microsoft 365 Root Cause
| Symptom | Outlook.com Likely Cause | Microsoft 365 Likely Cause | ✅ Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Client keeps asking for password | POP/IMAP disabled; wrong server/port; modern auth mismatch. | IMAP/POP disabled for mailbox; basic auth blocked; conditional access. | Enable POP/IMAP; use correct endpoints; re‑add account with modern auth or app password. |
| Cannot send via SMTP | Using wrong server (e.g., ISP SMTP); TLS not enabled; auth disabled. | Authenticated SMTP disabled for mailbox; wrong port or encryption; license issues. | Use smtp-mail.outlook.com or smtp.office365.com, port 587, STARTTLS, with auth; ask admin to enable SMTP AUTH if needed. |
| Only some folders sync | Client configured with POP instead of IMAP; partial folder subscription. | Local client sync settings; retention or archive policies moving mail server‑side. | Switch to IMAP; adjust folder subscriptions and check retention/archive policy behavior. |
| POP works but IMAP fails | IMAP access disabled in Outlook.com settings. | IMAP disabled for mailbox or tenant; firewall restrictions. | Enable IMAP in web/admin settings; confirm firewall allows port 993 to outlook.office365.com. |
| Authentication errors after password change | Client still using cached old password; session not refreshed. | Token‑based modern auth; refresh needed or app password change. | Update password in all clients, re‑authenticate where OAuth2 is used, and re‑test. |
Modern Auth / Basic Auth Issues
Microsoft has been gradually disabling basic authentication (plain username/password) for IMAP, POP, and SMTP in Microsoft 365 tenants to improve security. If a client suddenly stops working despite correct server settings, your tenant may have blocked basic auth, and you will need to switch to OAuth‑capable clients or configure app registrations and tokens.
On Outlook.com, the most common causes of failure are POP/IMAP being disabled in Sync email settings, using old hostnames, or failing to use SSL/TLS on the documented ports.
Best Practices for Microsoft Email Accounts in Clients
- Use IMAP with SSL/TLS as the default for both Outlook.com and Microsoft 365; keep POP for special archival or migration scenarios.
- Prefer modern, OAuth‑capable clients for Microsoft 365 to avoid basic auth deprecations.
- For WordPress and apps, use dedicated application mailboxes in Microsoft 365 with SMTP AUTH enabled, and monitor their activity.
- Avoid bulk campaigns or cold outreach through personal Outlook.com/Hotmail SMTP; use dedicated ESPs or properly configured Microsoft 365 connectors instead.
- Regularly review account security pages for suspicious logins, legacy apps, and active sessions, and remove anything you no longer use.
About Outlook.com
outlook.comhotmail.com · live.com · msn.com · outlook.fr · outlook.deHotmail launched on July 4, 1996 as one of the world's first free web-based email services, founded by Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith. The service pioneered the concept of accessing email from any browser without needing an ISP account. Microsoft acquired Hotmail in December 1997 for a reported 0 million, one of the largest technology acquisitions of the era.
Over the next 25 years, Microsoft consolidated multiple email brands (Hotmail, Windows Live Mail, MSN Mail) under what became Outlook.com in 2012. The Hotmail brand was fully retired in 2013, though @hotmail.com addresses continue to function on the same backend. Today Outlook.com serves an estimated 400+ million active users worldwide, making it the second-largest consumer webmail service after Gmail.
Consumer Outlook.com and business Microsoft 365 Exchange Online now run on the same underlying infrastructure at outlook.office365.com. This unification is why the IMAP and POP servers are identical across brands, while SMTP differs (smtp-mail.outlook.com for consumer, smtp.office365.com for business). Microsoft has been progressively disabling basic authentication in favor of Modern Authentication (OAuth2) since 2022.
Timeline
- 1996Hotmail launched (July 4)
- 1997Acquired by Microsoft for ~0M
- 2005Rebranded as Windows Live Hotmail
- 2012Outlook.com introduced as replacement brand
- 2013Hotmail-to-Outlook migration completed
- 2018Outlook.com moved to Office 365 infrastructure
- 2022Basic Auth deprecation begins for Exchange Online
- 2024Bulk sender enforcement (SPF/DKIM/DMARC + one-click)
Hotmail's name was chosen because it contained the letters HTML in reverse (later stylized as HoTMaiL). The 1996 launch on U.S. Independence Day was intentional, framed as "freedom from ISP-tied email". Hotmail's viral growth (adding "Get your free email at Hotmail" to outgoing messages) is often cited as one of the earliest examples of internet viral marketing.
FAQ Hotmail / Outlook.com Email Settings
What is the difference between Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, and MSN in terms of settings?
From an IMAP/POP/SMTP perspective, Outlook.com, Hotmail.com, Live.com, and MSN.com all use the same Outlook.com backend and share the same server names and ports summarized in this article.
Which IMAP/SMTP servers should I use for free Hotmail / Outlook.com?
For all free consumer Outlook.com family addresses (@outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com, @msn.com and their regional variants), use outlook.office365.com on port 993 for IMAP (SSL/TLS) and smtp-mail.outlook.com on port 587 with STARTTLS for SMTP. If you have a paid Microsoft 365 subscription, see the Microsoft 365 guide, Business tiers use smtp.office365.com instead.
Why is POP disabled in my Outlook.com account and how do I enable it?
Outlook.com disables POP by default to encourage IMAP and modern clients. You must explicitly enable POP under Settings → View all Outlook settings → Mail → Sync email → POP and IMAP → Let devices and apps use POP, then save.
Do I have free Hotmail/Outlook.com or a paid Microsoft 365 subscription?
Sign in at account.microsoft.com/services. If you see no active subscription, you’re on free Outlook.com, the settings in this guide apply. If you see a Microsoft 365 subscription (Personal, Family, or Business), you’re on paid M365 and should use the Microsoft 365 email settings guide. A visual cue: free Outlook.com sign-in happens through outlook.com or login.live.com; Business M365 sign-in typically routes through login.microsoftonline.com or your company’s SSO.
Can I use smtp.office365.com with a free Outlook.com address?
Microsoft’s documented SMTP host for free Outlook.com is smtp-mail.outlook.com. While some client setups reportedly connect against smtp.office365.com too, this path is not officially supported for free consumer accounts and can silently break as Microsoft tightens its Exchange Online security posture. Stick with smtp-mail.outlook.com on port 587 STARTTLS.
Is it safe to connect Outlook/Hotmail to WordPress or desktop clients?
It is safe as long as you use SSL/TLS, keep your clients updated, and follow Microsoft’s guidance on enabling POP/IMAP and modern auth. For business environments, use Microsoft 365 mailboxes with appropriate access controls, and avoid storing credentials in untrusted or outdated software.
About This Guide
These Hotmail and Outlook.com email settings (free consumer webmail) were last verified in August 2026 against Microsoft’s official support documentation, publicly available postmaster resources, and independent user setup reports. The smtp-mail.outlook.com and outlook.office365.com hostnames have been consistent since the 2013 Hotmail-to-Outlook.com rebrand. Email server configurations rarely change once established, most providers issue major updates only every one to two years, typically tied to phasing out unencrypted protocols. This guide was rescoped in August 2026 to focus exclusively on free consumer webmail; paid Microsoft 365 subscriptions (Personal, Family, Business) are now documented in the dedicated Microsoft 365 email settings guide. SMTPedia re-verifies these settings quarterly.
About the Author
Alaa · LinkedIn
Email infrastructure specialist with 8+ years of hands-on experience in SMTP, deliverability, and email verification. I’ve configured and troubleshot mail systems across Postfix, Exchange, and cloud relays, managed IP reputation and warmup campaigns, and built verification pipelines processing millions of addresses. My work spans DNS authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, BIMI), bounce handling, blocklist monitoring, and compliance frameworks including CAN-SPAM and GDPR. I write every article on SMTPedia to give email professionals, developers, and marketers the accurate, RFC-grounded reference they need.
About SMTPedia
SMTPedia is an independent email industry reference covering SMTP, IMAP, POP3, email deliverability, marketing platforms, DNS authentication, and email verification. Every article is researched from official provider documentation, IETF RFCs, and industry best practices. Settings and configurations are verified quarterly.
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