Email, Messaging, & Video Calls Email Windows Live Hotmail SMTP Settings Which SMTP setting to use to send mail with a Hotmail address by Heinz Tschabitscher Writer A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997. our editorial process Heinz Tschabitscher Updated on September 18, 2020 reviewed by Chris Selph Lifewire Tech Review Board Member Chris Selph is a CompTIA-certified technology and vocational IT teacher. He also serves as network & server administrator and performs computer maintenance and repair for numerous clients. our review board Article reviewed on Sep 11, 2020 Chris Selph Email Yahoo! Mail Gmail Tweet Share Email Windows Live Hotmail email addresses can only send messages through an email client if the correct SMTP server settings are used. SMTP servers are necessary for every email service because they tell email clients how to send the messages. The SMTP settings for your Hotmail account are only relevant for sending messages. To receive mail from your account through the email client, make sure you're using the right Windows Live Hotmail POP3 settings. Windows Live Hotmail SMTP Server Settings These are the outgoing SMTP server settings for sending mail using Windows Live Hotmail from any email program, mobile device, or another email service: Hotmail SMTP Server: smtp-mail.outlook.comHotmail SMTP Port: 587Hotmail Security: STARTTLSHotmail SMTP Username: Your complete Windows Live Hotmail email address (e.g. me@hotmail.com or me@live.com)Hotmail SMTP Password: Your Windows Live Hotmail password Sorting emails. Gregor Schuster / Getty Images Windows Live Hotmail Is Now Outlook Windows Live Hotmail was Microsoft's free web-based email service. It was designed to be accessed via the web from any machine on the internet. It was first used by a few thousand beta testers in 2005, then millions more by the end of 2006. However, the Windows Live brand was discontinued in 2012 when Microsoft introduced Outlook Mail, essentially re-branding Windows Live Hotmail with an updated user interface and improved features. Email addresses could remain as "@hotmail.com," but there is no longer a page dedicated to just Hotmail addresses. Outlook Mail is now the official name of Microsoft's email service. You can also use the Outlook.com SMTP server settings for your Hotmail account since the two services are now the same.