Windows Live Hotmail SMTP Settings

Which SMTP setting to use to send mail with a Hotmail address

by
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Writer
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
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Heinz Tschabitscher
Updated on April 11, 2021
reviewed by
Chris Selph headshot
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.
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Article reviewed on Sep 11, 2020
Chris Selph

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. A few thousand beta testers first used it 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.


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 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.com
  • Hotmail SMTP Port: 587
  • Hotmail Security: STARTTLS
  • Hotmail 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
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Sorting emails. Gregor Schuster / Getty Images


You can also use the Outlook.com SMTP server settings for your Hotmail account since the two services are now the same.

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