How to Live mail smtp settings
Published October 16, 2024 · Updated July 18, 2026 · Guides & Tutorials
Windows Live Mail is long past its prime, but plenty of people still use it - and getting its SMTP settings right is the difference between mail that sends and mail that silently fails. Here are the Windows Live Mail SMTP settings and how to configure an account correctly.
The SMTP settings you need
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Outgoing (SMTP) server | your provider's SMTP host |
| Port | 587 (STARTTLS) or 465 (SSL) |
| Authentication | required - your email & password |
| Secure connection | yes (TLS/SSL) |
How to add the account
- Open Accounts → Email and enter your address and password.
- Choose manual configuration and enter the SMTP host and port above.
- Tick "requires authentication" and enable a secure connection.
- Send a test to confirm it works.
If it still fails: the outgoing server usually needs authentication turned on explicitly, and the port must match your provider's TLS setting. Get those two right and most Live Mail SMTP problems disappear.
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Frequently asked questions
What SMTP port should Windows Live Mail use?
Port 587 with STARTTLS, or 465 with SSL, with "outgoing server requires authentication" enabled.
Why won't Windows Live Mail send?
Usually authentication is off or the port/security settings do not match. Enable SMTP auth and use the correct secure port.