Hotmail POP3 Settings (and IMAP, SMTP) for Outlook.com in 2026

Looking for the Hotmail POP3 settings? Hotmail is now Outlook.com, and the old pop3.live.com server from our 2009 post no longer applies. Here are the current POP, IMAP and SMTP settings for any @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, @live.com or @msn.com address, how to switch POP on, and how to fix the sign-in errors that started when Microsoft required modern authentication in 2024.

Quick answer: Hotmail POP3 server: outlook.office365.com, port 995, SSL/TLS. IMAP: outlook.office365.com, port 993, SSL/TLS. SMTP (outgoing): smtp-mail.outlook.com, port 587, STARTTLS. Username is your full Hotmail address. Turn on POP first in Outlook.com Settings, and use an app that supports Microsoft’s modern sign-in (OAuth2), because plain-password sign-in stopped working in September 2024.

Hotmail and Outlook.com server settings

• Username: your full email address, for example name@hotmail.com.
• Authentication: OAuth2 / modern authentication. The app opens a Microsoft sign-in window instead of storing your password.
• Outgoing server authentication: required, using the same account.

These values come from Microsoft’s official page on POP, IMAP and SMTP settings for Outlook.com, which is worth checking if an app reports an error.

How to turn on POP in Hotmail (Outlook.com)

IMAP works without any change, but POP must be switched on first:

1. Sign in to Outlook.com in a web browser.
2. Open Settings (the gear icon) and go to Mail, then Forwarding and IMAP.
3. Under POP and IMAP, turn on Let devices and apps use POP.
4. Click Save.

POP3 or IMAP: which should you use?

• IMAP keeps your mail on Microsoft’s servers and syncs read status, folders and deletions across your phone, laptop and the web. It’s the best choice for most people.
• POP3 downloads mail to one device. Use it only if you want a local archive on one computer, or an old app supports nothing else.
• Many apps (Apple Mail, Outlook, the Gmail app) can add a Hotmail account directly by choosing “Outlook.com”, which is simpler than typing settings.

Set up Hotmail in popular email apps

• Mozilla Thunderbird: add the account with your Hotmail address and let Thunderbird detect the settings. If you set it up years ago, change the incoming and outgoing authentication method to OAuth2, or remove and re-add the account.
• Apple Mail (Mac, iPhone, iPad): remove the old account and add it again, choosing Outlook.com as the provider.
• Microsoft Outlook for Windows or Mac: add the account with your address; the free Outlook app connects using Outlook.com sync, with no server settings needed.
• Other apps: look for an “Outlook.com” or “Microsoft” option when adding an account. If the app only accepts a password, it may no longer work with Hotmail.

Fix “password incorrect” or sign-in errors

• Old app, old method: since 16 September 2024, Microsoft no longer accepts basic (password-only) sign-in for Hotmail and Outlook.com accounts in other apps. Update the app or re-add the account so it uses modern sign-in. Microsoft explains this in its note on modern authentication for Outlook email.
• Two-step verification: some devices need an app password, which you can create in your Microsoft account security settings.
• POP not working but IMAP is: check that “Let devices and apps use POP” is switched on.
• Sending fails: make sure SMTP uses port 587 with STARTTLS and that outgoing authentication is on.

Don’t have an account yet? Follow our guide to create an Outlook.com email account. Using Yahoo too? See Yahoo Mail forwarding and POP access.

What changed since 2009

In March 2009, Hotmail made free POP3 access available worldwide, with the server pop3.live.com on port 995 and SMTP at smtp.live.com, using your Windows Live ID and password. Since then Hotmail became Outlook.com (2012-2013), Windows Live ID became the Microsoft account, IMAP support arrived, the servers moved to outlook.office365.com and smtp-mail.outlook.com, and in 2024 password-only sign-in was switched off in favour of OAuth2.

FAQ

Is Hotmail POP3 still free?

Yes. POP and IMAP access are free for Hotmail and Outlook.com accounts. You just need to switch POP on in settings.

Is pop3.live.com still working?

Use outlook.office365.com, the server Microsoft lists today, rather than the old Windows Live server names.

What is the Hotmail IMAP server?

outlook.office365.com, port 993, with SSL/TLS encryption.

What is the Hotmail SMTP server?

smtp-mail.outlook.com, port 587, with STARTTLS encryption and authentication required.

Do these settings work for @outlook.com and @live.com too?

Yes. All Microsoft consumer email addresses (hotmail.com, outlook.com, live.com, msn.com) use the same settings.