This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Why cannot I sign in to my hotmail or outlook email?

more options

Hi. I have an hotmail and outlook email account both with the same word string before the ampersand.

I can sign in my hotmail or outlook webmail account using either email address as a username, and of course, a password. This password is my Microsoft password.

I wish to use Thunderbird with my hotmail and outlook email accounts. In the account setup in Thunderbird, I'm using the password that I'm using to sign into Microsoft. It's the only password I can think of for my email accounts. But, it looks like this password is incorrect.

So, how do I get to know the password I should be using, so Thunderbird can poll my hotmail or outlook email; accounts? Thanks.

Hi. I have an hotmail and outlook email account both with the same word string before the ampersand. I can sign in my hotmail or outlook webmail account using either email address as a username, and of course, a password. This password is my Microsoft password. I wish to use Thunderbird with my hotmail and outlook email accounts. In the account setup in Thunderbird, I'm using the password that I'm using to sign into Microsoft. It's the only password I can think of for my email accounts. But, it looks like this password is incorrect. So, how do I get to know the password I should be using, so Thunderbird can poll my hotmail or outlook email; accounts? Thanks.

Chosen solution

OK, I got it.

In order for you to use Thunderbird to poll and send emails for your hotmail or outlook email accounts you must:

  • Sign into yout hotmail or outlook email.
  • Top right, find the cog loooking icon, and under that select "Pop and IMAP".
  • Under "Pop Options and "Let devices and apps use POP" select the "Yes" tick box.
  • Then don't forget to Save your changes.

I'm not sure if you need an outlook email, or whether it works with hotmail. I've proved it only with my outlook email.

And, the password you use, in Thunderbird, IS, the same one you use to sign into your hotmail or outlook webmail.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (1)

more options

Suluhisho teule

OK, I got it.

In order for you to use Thunderbird to poll and send emails for your hotmail or outlook email accounts you must:

  • Sign into yout hotmail or outlook email.
  • Top right, find the cog loooking icon, and under that select "Pop and IMAP".
  • Under "Pop Options and "Let devices and apps use POP" select the "Yes" tick box.
  • Then don't forget to Save your changes.

I'm not sure if you need an outlook email, or whether it works with hotmail. I've proved it only with my outlook email.

And, the password you use, in Thunderbird, IS, the same one you use to sign into your hotmail or outlook webmail.

Modified by richard8257