Beginner
2 min read
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Updated May 17, 2026
How to Add a Hotmail or Outlook.com Account to Microsoft Outlook
Set up your Hotmail or Outlook.com email in Microsoft Outlook desktop app. Simple steps, no technical knowledge needed.
Hotmail and Outlook.com accounts belong to Microsoft, so adding them to the Outlook desktop app is seamless — in most cases it takes just a few clicks. This guide covers both the automatic method and the manual setup with server settings.
Note: Hotmail, Live, and MSN email addresses all use the same Microsoft system (@hotmail.com, @live.com, @msn.com, @outlook.com). The steps below work for all of them.
Step 1: Add Your Microsoft Account in Outlook
- Open Microsoft Outlook on your computer.
- Click File in the top menu, then select Add Account.
- Enter your Hotmail or Outlook.com address and click Connect.
- Enter your Microsoft account password and click Sign In.
- If prompted, complete the two-step verification on your phone.
- Click Done. Your inbox will start syncing within a few minutes.
Already using Outlook.com in the browser? You can also sync your calendar and contacts automatically — Outlook will offer this during setup.
Manual Server Settings
If automatic setup fails, use these server settings manually:
| Setting | Incoming Mail (IMAP) | Outgoing Mail (SMTP) |
|---|---|---|
| Server | outlook.office365.com | smtp.office365.com |
| Port | 993 | 587 |
| Encryption | SSL / TLS | STARTTLS |
| Username | Your full email address | |
| Password | Your Microsoft account password | |
Troubleshooting
- Sign-in window keeps appearing — Your Microsoft account may require modern authentication. Try removing the account and re-adding it; Outlook will use OAuth instead of basic password.
- Two-step verification prompt not arriving — Check your Microsoft Authenticator app or the phone number associated with your account.
- Emails not syncing — Go to File → Account Settings → Repair to reconnect.
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Updated May 17, 2026