How to Configure Outlook with Hotmail (287424)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
  • Microsoft Outlook 2002
This article was previously published under Q287424

SUMMARY

You can configure Microsoft Outlook to send and receive messages with a Hotmail account.

Messages remain on the Hotmail server until you move them, even though the Deliver e-mail to the following location setting may point to a local personal folders (.pst) file. You can move messages to a local .pst file, or they can be downloaded so that you can work offline. Headers download as soon as you select a Hotmail folder.

MORE INFORMATION

How to Configure a Hotmail Account in Outlook

You must have a pre-existing Hotmail account to create an e-mail account in Outlook that accesses Hotmail servers. If you try to create an account in Configuration Manager, it does not work. After you have a Hotmail account, you can use Outlook to work with Hotmail. Use the following steps to configure the Hotmail information service:
  1. Start Outlook, and on the Tools menu, click E-mail Accounts.
  2. In the E-mail Accounts dialog box, click to select the Add a new E-mail Account option, and then click Next.
  3. In the Server Type dialog box, click HTTP.
  4. In the E-mail Accounts dialog box, enter the required information by using the following guidelines:
    1. User Information
      • Your Name: This should be your full name.
      • E-mail Address: This is your Hotmail address. Your e-mail address usually takes the form of a combination of your first and last name, separated by the at sign (@) and followed by Hotmail.com. For example, John Doe uses an e-mail address of JohnD@Hotmail.com.

    2. Log on Information
      • User Name: This will usually be the part of your e-mail address to the left of the at sign (@).
      • Password: You select your password.
      • You can click to select the check box to have Outlook remember your e-mail account password.
    3. Server Information
      • HTTP Mail Service Provider: (Hotmail): This menu lists all of the Web e-mail providers that are enabled; Hotmail is available in this list.
      • Server URL: Another choice is available in the HTTP Mail Service Provider box. If you click Other, the Server URL text box is available. You can enter the URL location of your HTTP e-mail service here.
    4. Click More Settings. This takes you to the Internet E-mail Settings dialog box, where you can modify your Internet E-mail Account.

    The Internet E-mail Settings Dialog Box

    The information that you entered in the "How to Configure a Hotmail Account in Outlook " section is added to various tabs in the Internet E-mail Settings dialog box. This is where you make modifications and changes to your Internet E-mail account.

    General Tab

    The General tab is the where you can rename your e-mail account.
    • Mail Account: Type a name for this account.
    • Organization: The name of your company and it is not a required entry.
    • Reply E-mail: This is optional and only used if you want replies to your messages sent to another e-mail address.

    Connection Tab

    1. Connection Section

      The Connection tab contains information about how to connect to your e-mail server. There are three ways to connect to your ISP's e-mail server. Select one of the appropriate connection type listed in this section.

      1. Connect using my local area network (LAN): This connection allows you to log on to your Hotmail server through your existing network connection. Your network configuration must support access to the Internet. Please see your network administrator for more details.
      2. Connect using my phone line: The Internet Mail Service looks for a Dialup Networking connection to establish a log on with your ISP. Once you are logged on to your ISP, it attempts to connect to your ISP's e-mail server. If this section is not available (grayed out), it may indicate that the Microsoft Windows Dialup Networking feature is not installed on your computer.
      3. Connect Using Internet Explorer's or a 3rd Party Dialer: If you click to select this option, Outlook uses a default connection method that has already been configured.
    2. Modem Section
      1. After you click Connect using my phone line, you must define a Dialup Networking connection to use. You can select an existing connection from the list, or you can click Add to create a new connection.
      2. To edit the properties of a connection, use the drop-down list box to select the desired connection, and then click Properties. This takes you to the existing connection's Properties page.
In some cases, you may receive the following error message after you complete the previous steps:
Can't open this item. You must connect to the server to complete this action. To connect select any folder in this account, and then on the File menu, click Connect to Hotmail.
If you receive this error message, confirm that you are connected to the Internet, select one of your Hotmail folders, and then click Connect to Hotmail on the File menu.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/6/2004
Keywords:kbFEA kbhowto KB287424
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.