Summary:

  • Pop3/Smtp configurations settings for Windows Live Mail, Outlook 2003/2007, iPhone, iPod Touch, Vista's Windows Mail, and Outlook Express
  • Applicable to account types Hotmail.com, Msn.com and Live.com

Accounts Qualifying/Known to Function:

  • MSN Legacy Pop3(msn.com) Primary Accounts/SubAccounts - Dialup or Bring Your Own ISP(as of 1997)  
  • Windows Live HotMail Plus  - effective Sept 21, 2007
  • All Free Hotmail accounts – Worldwide effective March 12, 2009
  • Qwest MSN Premium Accounts (reported by Qwest subscribers in the MSN Newsgroup)
  • MSN Premium Accounts(Dial Up, DSL, and BYO ISP) including SubAccounts

Configuration Settings:

  • Incoming Server = pop3.live.com
    -Port 995
    -Encryption/Authentication = SSL is required
    -Full Username = username@xxxx.com (same as full email address, where xxxx.com = live.com, msn.com or hotmail.com )
    -Password is required
    -SPA(secure password authorization) = Off(uncheck this option)
  • Outgoing Server = smtp.live.com
    -Port 25 or 587 [Note: Preferred Outgoing is Port 587 instead of Port 25 since many ISP’s blocks Port 25 use. Similar blocking can occur when using Port 25 in hotels or accessing via a WiFi network]
    -Outgoing Server Authentication = On(check the option)

    -Encryption/Authentication = SSL or TLS
    * Choose SSL for Windows Live Mail, Outlook 2003, iPhone, iPod Touch, Outlook Express and Vista's Windows Mail * Choose TLS for Outlook 2007 (required)
    -Full Username = username@xxxx.com (same as full email address)
      - unless outgoing server is configured to use same incoming server option
    -Password is required
      - unless outgoing server is configured to use same incoming server option

 

 Pop3/Stmp Access Capability Unknown - due to insufficient information (YMMV)

  • Subscription Based:
      - Msn DSL Partner Accounts(Verizon, Bell)
    1. Primary Accounts (using MSN Premium Software, e.g. MSN Explorer)
    2. Sub-Accounts of the above Primary Accounts

Comments for Hotmail accounts(Hotmail.com, Live.com, Msn.com):

  • Pop3 retrieval by design removes messages from the online web user interface’s Inbox. To retain a copy in the online Inbox ensure the email client is configured to leave a copy of the message on the server
  • Pop3 retrieval, if the local email client is not configured to leave the message on the server, will place the original copy of the email in the online Deleted folder.
  • The Deleted folder is emptied automatically by the server(usually within a few days)

 

Additional Information on Hotmail Plus/Hotmail Free accounts:

 

Revisions:

Feb 2, 2008: Original Published Date

May 1, 2008:  Accounts Qualifying

      • Windows Live HotMail Plus (as of Sept 21, 2007) changed to read (effective Sept 21, 2007) to clarify date of Pop3 availability

May 2, 2008:  Exclusions: Accounts not capable of Pop3/SMTP Access

      • Note: Two(2) Qwest/MSN DSL users changed to read 'Some Qwest/MSN DSL Users' to allow for additional confirmation

May 24, 2008:  Windows Live Tags Added

Nov 9, 2008: Added 'Note' about use of Port 587 under section 'Configuration Settings/Outgoing Server'

Nov 19, 2008: Added info on Pop3 access for free Hotmail accounts(early 2009) and Press Kit Fact Sheet(link)

February 15, 2009: Updated to correspond with Pop3 Access for free Hotmail Accounts in select countries

March 14, 2009: Updated to correspond with Pop3 Access for all free Hotmail accounts ‘Worldwide’

July 20, 2009: Comments section added