How to Access Free Windows Live Hotmail in IncrediMail

If you are a happy paying subscriber to Windows Live Hotmail, setting up access to your account in IncrediMail is a snap. If you are a happy non-subscriber, however, you will be greeted by an error message when you try to download mail. Why are you still happy?

Because you know that, with a little effort that is more fun than work, you can access your free Windows Live Hotmail (or MSN Hotmail) account in IncrediMail just fine.

Access Free Windows Live Hotmail in IncrediMail

To download mail from your free Windows Live Hotmail account into IncrediMail:

• ›› Step by Step Screenshot Walkthrough

• Install FreePOPs.
• Select All Programs | FreePOPs | FreePOPs from the Start menu.
• Select Tools | Accounts... from the menu in IncrediMail.
• Click Add.
• Make sure Let me configure settings myself is selected.
• Click Next >.
• Enter your name under Your name is:.
• Type your Windows Live Hotmail email address under Your email address:, but leave out the final ".com" part.
  • If your Windows Live Hotmail address is "homers@hotmail.com", for example, type "homers@hotmail".
  • You do not type your complete Windows Live Hotmail address because this makes IncrediMail use the interface that only works with Windows Live Hotmail subscription accounts.
• Click Next >.
• Make sure POP3 is selected under My incoming mail server type is:.
• Type "localhost" under Incoming mail server:.
  • If "localhost" turns out not to work, try "127.0.0.1" instead.
• Enter your ISP's mail server under Outgoing mail server:.
  • Typically, you will use the same server you use for your other non-Windows Live Hotmail email account.
  • If you have no SMTP server available, you may be able to use the mail servers offered by Gmail or AIM Mail.
• Click Next >.
• Type your complete Windows Live Hotmail address under Username:.
• Enter your Windows Live Hotmail password under Password:.
• Click Finish.
• Click OK.
• Make sure the Windows Live Hotmail account is highlighted in the Mail Accounts window.
• Click Properties.
• Add the missing ".com" to your Windows Live Hotmail address under Email address:.
• Change the Account Name: to "Windows Live Hotmail".
• Go to the Advanced tab.
• Type "2000" under Server Port Numbers | Incoming Mail (POP3).
• Click OK.
• Now click Close.

With a bit of tweaking, you can also download mail from folders other than your Windows Live Hotmail inbox.