Microsoft has finally enabled POP3 email access for all users of their Hotmail email service. This essentially means that it is now possible to configure desktop email clients to access Hotmail to retrieve and send emails using the email provider. We already mentioned how to configure Hotmail POP3 but in a slightly different context as the article back then concentrated on providing information on how to enable POP3 access for all countries.
Here are the information that have to be entered into the desktop email software so that Hotmail can be accessed:
- Incoming Server: pop3.live.com
- Incoming Port: 995
- SSL Encryption: yes
- Outgoing Server: smtp.live.com
- Outgoing port: 25 (use port 587 if the default port is not working)
- Authentication: yes
- TLS Or SSL: yes
Please note that the names might differ depending on the desktop email client in use. The values on the other hand do not change. The username (usually the Windows Live Hotmail email address) and password are the same that are used when logging into the Hotmail website using a web browser.
There is no need for configuration of POP3 on the Hotmail website. This is a difference to how Gmail is handling external access as it has to be explicitly activated in the email web interface before it is possible to access a Gmail account using POP3 or SMTP.
Enjoyed the article?: Then sign-up for our free newsletter or RSS feed to kick off your day with the latest technology news and tips, or share the article with your friends and contacts on Facebook or Twitter.Related Articles:
Enable Hotmail POP3 In All CountriesGmail POP3 Configuration
Enable Pop3 Access for most Webmailers
Windows Live Mail, Outlook, Finally Get Hotmail SSL Support
How To Add A New Email To Your Hotmail Account

What i do not read is or i stil have to check in manualy at the hotmail website, this so i dont loose loose main hotmail account thru not using.
Do you know this Martin (or sombody else)?
Paul I highly doubt that this is the case as you are using the Hotmail account if you connect using POP3. It’s just a different connection method.
Thanks Martin for your,very fast and, logial sounding to me comment. I will keep on looking for an offical “black on white” communication from Microsoft. I have to write that this new, to Microsoft, function is a “gods end”/very usefull function.
Each time I talk about email at my blog – my readers start to mention how they suffer from being tied to their hotmail accounts. :)
I guess this ends suffering. By the way Gmail can fetch mail from other account via POP3 so my guess is this can also be used as redirection workaround.
I’m having problems using the SMTP server to send mail. After some digging in the comments on the Windows Live Team blog, someone suggested using port 587 instead of the default port 25. It worked for me.
Thanks, have added your suggestion to the post.
Literally yesterday I was googleing to see if this was possible. You’re a lifesaver! Hotmail in Gmail at last!
Thanks for this post, it’s been helpful. I can now consolidate all my email to Gmail.
Like always, Martin seems to be clairvoyant. Just yesterday my friend was complaining about having to constantly log into Hotmail, which he hates to do since he prefers Gmail.
Thnk for deploying setting about hotmail in’s woking with asp.net
using system.net.mail
This information don’t work
I have been using hotmail for about 8 years now, and maybe longer. Over the last week I have not been able to get my hotmail emails to go into my Microsoft Outlook box. I have to manually go to the hotmail site. Any clue on what I can do to fix the problem?
Thanks for this tip, I can now use it to configure my Thunderbird mail client.
epic stuff man, thanks a lot. Microsoft sucks with Hotmail support for Outlook, I hope 2010 Outlook doesnt suck.
BTW, the beta can be downloaded now
hotmil configuracion pop3 no para hotmail
agu17,2009 at 5:02 am
I live in the UK and have just bought a t-mobile g2 google phone (HTC Hero). I have tried to set up my hotmail on the phone using the method above but cant get it to work? It keeps saying username and/or password isnt correct.
Anyone else have this issue
An unknown error has occurred. Account: ‘Hotmail’, Server: ‘pop3.live.com’, Protocol: POP3, Port: 995, Secure(SSL): Yes, Error Number: 0x800C0133
I have an msn email account and I just used this method and got it running within a couple of minutes.
Thanks.
Hi Martin,
This is Srikar…
I am trying to connect to hotmail using the outlook software.
I have entered the incoming and outgoing server informations as you stated in the article above.but the connection is not being established!!
If you can help out in this problem….i will be greatful to you…
Regards
Its working!
Ron from
components4developers.com
Orange and Hotmail config that works for me on samsung jet:
SMTP SERVER:smptp.live.com
SMTP Port:25
Secure connection:TLS
Incoming server type:Pop3
Pop3 server:pop3.live.com
pop3 port: 995
apop: no
Secure connection:SSL
Download limit:5
Pop before SMTP:no
SMTP auth:yes
Same as pop3/imap4: yes
Currently allowing me to send and recieve emails.
Hope this helps.
Thanks so much for this – I’ve just got it up & running on my Samsung pixon! Now to delete the 400+ emails it’s just downloaded to my phone :)
I try to install it in Outlook 2010 beta and is not working. Please I need help.
Yep, works perfectly for getting messages out of the Inbox.
Now, does anyone know if it’s possible to access the messages in my Drafts and Sent folders ? Or indeed in other folders I set up ?
Cheers
Nick
i can receive only but can’t send what is the problem plz????
thanks man.
Hi
Does this mean I change use these settings to get an hotmail.co.uk account into Windows Live Mail and then be able to set up folders to store and organize the emails I want to keep. Trying to set up my parents new laptop and it is causing some difficulties.
Here’s hoping.
Linnie
Hi,
Can you use the above settings for hotmail in Thunderbird 3.1 or 2.something ??
Thanks,
Zachariah
Yes, I’ve successfully used the above settings in Thunderbird and Sylpheed.
I keep getting “Login Failed” using my LG Pop (GD510), any ideas? My password is correct, so I know that’s not the problem.
Thank you very much!!! I have been trying to access my hotmail from my phone ever since I got it a week ago. Nothing seemed to work including going through the internet connection and the user manual did not help at all.
the port 25 did not work..
… after googling X 2 hours …i found your note..
“Outgoing port: 25 (use port 587 if the default port is not working)”
thanks
niceee.. it works well with outlook 2011. thanks!
Thanks you help me to solve the send problem to my hotmail configuration