How to set up an Outlook.com account to Thunderbird with IMAP settings

Thunderbird logo big

As you might have already heard Microsoft has finally added IMAP support to Outlook.com for those software and outdated devices that yet don’t support Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) protocol to sync email clients to Outlook servers.

So now, if you are a Thunderbird user and you want to set up an Outlook.com account using IMAP settings, here are the steps you need to follow in Windows 8 (but it should also work with previous versions of the operating system):

Instructions

1. While in Thunderbird, from the menu button in the top-right corner, choose Options, and then Account Settings

2. Click Account Actions, enter your email account information, and choose Add Mail Account.

3. Enter your account information (e.g., Outlook, Hotmail, Live, etc.).

Mail account IMAP settings

4. Click Continue.

5. Then click Manual config.

Outlook email account setup IMAP Thunderbird

6. Set the Incoming server settings as follows:

  • Server hostname: imap-mail.outlook.com
  • Port: 993
  • SSL: SSL/TLS
  • Authentication: Normal password
Note: On the Incoming field, change POP3 to IMAP.

7. Set the Outgoing server settings as follows:

  • Server hostname: smtp-mail.outlook.com
  • Port: 587
  • SSL: STARTTLS
  • Authentication: Normal password

8. Click Done and that’s pretty much all you have to do.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of (est. 2010). With over 21 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.

Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.

Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.

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