The Outlook.com SMTP Settings You Need to Send Email

When you want to send Outlook.com email from an email client

By
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Writer
  • University of Vienna
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
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Updated on March 11, 2022
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
Jon Fisher headshot
Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

Outlook.com SMTP server settings are needed to set up your Outlook.com account in an email client on your smartphone, tablet, or another computer. SMTP settings provide instructions to the mail program on how to send mail from your Outlook.com account.

These instructions apply to SMTP and IMAP email apps that are used to download email from Outlook.com accounts.

What Are SMTP Settings?

SMTP is an abbreviation for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol and it's an internet standard for sending and receiving email messages. However, most mail clients only use SMTP to send messages.

When you set up an email client, the SMTP server settings tell the program where it should send your outbound mail, the authorization information needed for the transaction, and the type of security needed when connecting.

Outlook.com SMTP Server Settings

When you set up Outlook.com in an email client, you may be asked to enter the SMTP server settings. Use these settings:

SMTP Server smtp-mail.outlook.com
Username Your full Outlook.com email address
Password Your Outlook.com password
SMTP Port 587
SMTP TLS/SSL Encryption Required Yes

What About Downloading Mail From Outlook.com?

SMTP server settings are only used to send mail from the Outlook.com address. To download and store incoming messages from an Outlook.com account, you'll need the settings for either a POP3 or IMAP account. Depending on which standard you use on your devices, enter either the Outlook.com POP server settings or the Outlook.com IMAP server settings.

POP3 delivers your mail much like IMAP, but it's not a two-way street. Use IMAP if you want to synchronize email across multiple devices so that changes you make on one device, such as your phone, are reflected on all your other connected devices (e.g., your tablet and computer).

FAQ
  • How do I change my Outlook.com password?

    Your Outlook.com password and your Microsoft account password are the same. To change it, go to the Microsoft account security page and select Password security.

  • How do I import contacts into Outlook.com?

    To import contacts from a CSV File into Outlook.com, open the Applications Launcher and go to People > Manage > Import contacts > Browse. Choose the CSV file and select Open.

  • How do I update permission settings in Outlook.com?

    To give other users permission to access your Outlook calendars and email account, go File > Account Settings > Delegate Access > Add. To change permissions, select the delegate, then select Permissions.

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