Windows Live Mail Sign In Hotmail: Step-by-Step Guide

Windows 11 » How To

Milan Stanojevic

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

How To

2 min. read

Published on August 27, 2025

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Windows Live Mail lets you connect your Hotmail account and manage emails in one place. This guide will show you how to sign in and access your messages.

How do I sign in to Hotmail on Windows Live Mail?

Launch the Windows Live Mail program on your computer.
Type your Hotmail email address ([email protected]).
Enter your password and click Sign in.
Configure the server settings if needed: Incoming server: outlook.office365.com (IMAP). Outgoing server: smtp.office365.com (SMTP).
Make sure SSL is enabled for both incoming and outgoing mail.

For more details on setup, see our guide on Windows Live Mail not accepting passwords.

What to do if Windows Live Mail does not work on Windows 10

There are compatibility limitations when connecting Hotmail through Windows Live Mail on newer systems. Read our full guide on Windows Live Mail in Windows 10 to learn how to configure and use it properly.

Switch from Windows Live Mail to Outlook

Microsoft has phased out Windows Live Mail, and Outlook is now the main option. You can migrate Hotmail messages, contacts, and folders into Outlook. Follow our tutorial on switching from Windows Live Mail to Outlook.

FAQs

Why can’t I sign in to Hotmail on Windows Live Mail?

This often happens because of outdated authentication methods. Updating server settings usually fixes the issue.

Can I still use Hotmail with Windows Live Mail?

Yes, but support is limited. You may face more frequent connection issues compared to Outlook.

What is the best alternative to Windows Live Mail?

The Outlook desktop app is the official replacement, with stronger security and full integration with Microsoft services.

More about the topics: email, hotmail, windows live mail

Milan Stanojevic

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He's a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology. Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he's one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.