Effective late June 2016, Windows Live Mail 2012 will no longer synchronize emails, contacts, and calendar events from email accounts ending in @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @msn.com. These email accounts are powered by Outlook.com. 

Outlook.com is being upgraded to a new infrastructure that delivers innovative email and calendar experiences with enhanced performance, security, and reliability. The Windows Live 2012 email application does not support the modern synchronization technologies used by the new Outlook.com, so once your account is upgraded to the new Outlook.com, you will no longer be able to send or receive Outlook.com email from Windows Live Mail 2012.

Rest assured, you can always access your Outlook.com account via any web browser at any time.   You will also continue to access your emails, contacts, and calendar data that is currently stored in Windows Live Mail 2012.

You can find additional details and options for accessing your Outlook.com account once Windows Live Mail 2012 stops connecting to the email service at Windows Live Mail 2012 will not connect to Outlook.com:  help and next steps.  

Here are answers to some common questions involving the end of service for Windows Live Mail 2012:

Why is Microsoft making this change?

We are upgrading Outlook.comto a new infrastructure, powered by Office 365, that helps you collaborate effortlessly with Office documents, get more done using partner add-ins, and focus on what matters.  This new infrastructure uses modern synchronization protocols that provide enhanced performance, security and reliability. Windows Live Mail 2012 uses an older synchronization protocol that is not compatible with this new infrastructure.

Who is affected by this change?

This change affects all people who currently use Windows Live Mail to connect to their Outlook.com account.  People who use Windows Live Mail with other email services (Gmail, Yahoo Mail, or others) are not affected.  Outlook.com users who do not use Windows Live Mail are also not affected.

What do I need to do?

Customers can continue to access their email via a web browser at www.outlook.com.  If customers would like to move to another mail app from Microsoft, they can consider the following:

• Recommend option: Use the Mail app built in to Windows 10. It offers features such as linked inboxes for multiple accounts, has a personal and familiar look & feel, and brings to you the full power of the Windows 10 platform

• Use the Mail app that is built in to Windows 8 and 8.1. 

• Access your mailbox via a web browser at www.outlook.com

You can also use the full-featured Outlook desktop app to connect to your Outlook.com account, by taking advantage of a one-year free trial of O365 Personal.  This offer is limited to the Outlook.com customers affected by this change.  Customers who actively used Windows Live Mail during the timeframe January through March 2016 received an email notification of the change and an offer for Office 365 Personal, if needed.  Customers should refer to the email in your Outlook.com inbox for a link to redeem this promotion.

When should I switch to the Mail app in Windows? Do I need to wait until my Outlook.com account is upgraded?

We recommend you switch now. The Mail app on Windows works against both the old and new Outlook.com infrastructure.  Switching now will help you avoid interruption when your account is upgraded. Upgrades for Windows Live Mail users are set to begin late June 2016.

What happens to my email if I don’t switch from Windows Live Mail before my account is upgraded?

You can continue accessing your email in a web browser by accessing www.outlook.com– but Windows Live Mail will no longer be able to connect.

Some customers may have locally stored data in Storage folders.  We recommend that customers move their locally stored data to their Outlook.com account prior to the upgrade.  See the Windows Live Mail 2012 will not connect to Outlook.com:  help and next steps for steps to move data, if needed.

How long do I have before I must stop using Windows Live Mail?

Windows Live Mail will stop connecting to Outlook.com beginning late June 2016. We recommend migrating to the Mail app on Windows 10 before that, though you can move any time you want to.  Also, you can continue to access your email in a web browser at www.outlook.comat any time.

You can continue to use Windows Live Mail to connect to other email services via IMAP or POP3.

I am having trouble migrating to the Mail app for Windows. Can someone in Microsoft help me?

If you need technical assistance, search for answers or post a new thread describing your issue in this forum, Windows Essentials community forum.

If I am using Outlook 2010, Outlook 2013, or Outlook 2016 to connect to my Outlook.com account, do I need to take any action when my account is upgraded?

No, these versions of Outlook retain their connection to Outlook.com during the upgrade and no user action is required.

Which Outlook.com email addresses are affected?

All email accounts on the Outlook.com service, including @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com and @msn.com email accounts, are affected.

What are my alternatives if I cannot upgrade from Windows 7 or cannot use the Mail app on Windows for another reason?

You can always continue to access Outlook.com from any web browser. Alternatively, you may consider using the power of professional productivity that Outlook 2016 brings, which works on Windows 7, 8/8.1, 10.  An Office 365 subscription includes the full feature Outlook 2016 desktop app as well as other productivity applications such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote.

Can I get my Outlook.com account upgraded right away?

We’re rolling out these upgrades to Outlook.com users as quickly as possible, with millions of users being upgraded each week. All Outlook.com users will get the upgrade, and there is no action you need to take in order to trigger the upgrade.

If I stop using the Windows Live Mail app now, will my Outlook.com account be upgraded earlier than June 2016?

If you received an email concerning your use of Windows Live Mail; then your account will not be upgraded prior to late June 2016.

Will I need to change my email address when my account is upgraded?

No, you will keep your existing email address.

Will I need to change or update any settings on my phone to keep receiving email?

Your phone will remain connected to your Outlook.com account after the upgrade; there is no need to make any changes to keep receiving mail.