Hotmail is one of the biggest free email providers on the internet. They were around way before gmail was even a thought in anyone’s head. The one thing I notice is that when people start to use Microsoft Outlook they really miss its features when they use web based email.

Other free email providers like gmail provide a POP3 connection that allow programs like Microsoft Outlook receive mail from your free account. POP3 is a protocol that is widely supported by just about any email client on the net. I don’t think Microsoft ever allowed this with Hotmail. It is clearly a marketing decision. Many people just stop there. It is easy to assume that if there is no POP3, there is no way to get the email from another program.

A part of that marketing strategy is a plugin within Microsoft Outlook that is specifically designed to allow you to access your hotmail account. It is really quite easy to add.

Open up Microsoft Outlook, and click on tools then E-Mail Accounts

In the email section of the displayed form, check the item that says “Add a new email account”

Click next. Now you are shown a list of account types:

Select the HTTP server type and click next again

Enter all of your account information. Make sure the HTTP Mail service provider is set to Hotmail, and fill out your hotmail email address, login, and password.

Click next and you are finished!

Now in Microsoft Outlook you will see a new item named Hotmail – that is where all of your Hotmail messages will be located.

That’s all there is to it! Now you can easily read your Hotmail from Microsoft Outlook.