Sources checked: 12 October 2026.
For a personal Hotmail or Outlook.com mailbox, start with automatic account setup in a supported Outlook app. Old tutorials that tell you to enter a username and password into legacy POP settings can fail even when the credentials are correct.
Prefer Outlook’s automatic Microsoft-account setup
Microsoft’s Modern Authentication guidance explains that Outlook.com requires modern sign-in. In classic Outlook, a manually configured Outlook.com POP/IMAP connection does not provide the same Modern Authentication support as direct Outlook.com setup. Use a compatible current app and automatic Outlook.com configuration rather than trying to revive password-only authentication.
- First confirm that the mailbox opens at outlook.com. This separates an account-access problem from an app-configuration problem.
- In classic Outlook, start with File > Add Account. In new Outlook, open account settings, then Accounts > Your accounts > Add Account.
- Enter your complete Hotmail/Outlook.com address and continue through the Microsoft sign-in prompts, including any required verification.
Use Microsoft’s version-specific account setup instructions if the labels differ. Before replacing an existing profile, preserve any messages or folders stored only on that device. Do not delete the old profile simply to test a setting.
Manual settings for an OAuth2-compatible client
The official Outlook.com server-settings page currently lists:
| Protocol | Server | Port and encryption |
|---|---|---|
| IMAP | outlook.office365.com | 993; SSL/TLS |
| POP | outlook.office365.com | 995; SSL/TLS |
| SMTP | smtp-mail.outlook.com | 587; STARTTLS |
Use the full email address as the username and OAuth2/Modern Auth for authentication. Server names and ports alone cannot make an incompatible program support OAuth2.
POP and IMAP access are disabled by default. If you deliberately need one, open Outlook.com Settings > Mail > Forwarding and IMAP, enable the applicable device/app option and save. Prefer a client that clearly supports Microsoft’s current sign-in flow.
Check the result safely
After setup, compare recent messages with webmail and send a small test message to an address you control. If webmail works but the app repeatedly requests a password, check app compatibility and authentication method before changing passwords again. Keep transport encryption and account verification enabled.
Independent information: Number Customer Care is not affiliated with Microsoft. We cannot access your account, reset your password or provide Microsoft customer support.