This page explains how to set up the free Windows Live Mail e-mail program to send and receive e-mail for a POP mailbox that you've created. These instructions are based on Version 2008 (Build 12.0.1606), although other versions are similar.
Before you continue, you should enter your e-mail address (the address you want to set up in Windows Live Mail) in the box above. Entering your e-mail address makes sure that the instructions below are correct.
Tip: make sure that the program you are using is Windows Live Mail, and not Windows Mail ("Windows Mail" is the default mail program that comes with Windows Vista). These two similarly-named programs have different set up instructions. Be sure you see the text "Windows Live Mail" in the title bar of the program window. (If you're using Windows Mail, use this page instead.)
The instructions below will explain in detail how to fully configure Windows Live Mail. This will involve the following steps:
Start the Windows Live Mail program from your Start menu or Quick Launch toolbar.
On the left-hand side of the window, click Add an e-mail account. (You may need to scroll down or click on Mail in order to see this option.)
The wizard first asks for your E-mail address, Password, and Display Name.
Enter your E-mail address. The address must be the e-mail address of the POP mailbox you created in your account management control panel.
The Password is the password which was assigned to your mailbox when it was created in our control panel. Enter it into the Password field in this window, and also check the Remember password checkbox.
The Display Name is the name that other people will see when you send them e-mail. It should usually be your real name, such as John Smith or Joan of Arc. Enter the name you want other people to see when you send them e-mail, then click Next.
Set the following values for the Incoming Server Information:
Set the following values for the Outgoing Server Information:
When you have set all of these values, click Next.
You will see a message indicating that you have successfully entered the information required for your account. Click Finish to close the wizard.
If you are using an IMAP server, you will probably see a window titled "Show/Hide IMAP Folders". You can just click OK to close this window.
You're finished! Try sending yourself a test e-mail message to make sure it works.
Some customers may also wish to turn on secure SSL connections in Windows Live Mail. This makes e-mail connections more secure, but may not work on some computers. If you want to do this, see the topic Windows Live Mail SSL Connections for more information.
Finally, if you read e-mail in more than one program, you may want to leave a copy of each read message on the server.