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Updated May 17, 2026
How to Add Hotmail or Outlook.com to Mozilla Thunderbird
Configure your Hotmail, Live, or Outlook.com account in Mozilla Thunderbird with IMAP. Includes exact server settings.
Thunderbird supports Hotmail and Outlook.com accounts through IMAP. The process is straightforward — Thunderbird's auto-configuration usually finds the correct settings for Microsoft accounts.
Add Your Account in Thunderbird
- Open Thunderbird → File → New → Existing Mail Account.
- Enter your name, your Hotmail address, and your Microsoft password.
- Click Continue. Thunderbird will look up the settings.
- Select IMAP when the results appear.
- Click Done. Your Hotmail account is now in Thunderbird.
Microsoft OAuth: Thunderbird may open a Microsoft login window for OAuth authentication. Sign in there and allow Thunderbird access. This is the secure, modern way Microsoft handles email clients.
Hotmail / Outlook.com Server Settings
| Setting | Incoming (IMAP) | Outgoing (SMTP) |
|---|---|---|
| Server | outlook.office365.com | smtp.office365.com |
| Port | 993 | 587 |
| Security | SSL/TLS | STARTTLS |
| Authentication | OAuth2 (recommended) or Normal password | |
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Updated May 17, 2026