Windows live mail replacement

Darryl Dove 0 Reputation points
2026-05-04T05:36:50.9833333+00:00

G'day folks.

What can I do to change our old Live Mail to something more up to date, please?

We understand Microsoft no longer supports Windows Live Mail but we need something as a replacement.

iiNet server error setting 25-04-26.JPG

Our windows live mail keeps getting unexpectedly disconnected from the server for some reason.

We are seniors and not all that tech-savvy.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Email and communications
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  1. AI answer

    2026-05-04T05:37:07.0933333+00:00

    Windows Live Mail and the broader Windows Live Essentials suite are no longer supported and are considered retired software. The recommended path is to move to a currently supported mail client rather than trying to fix Windows Live Mail.

    For users who are still on Windows Live Mail and encounter issues (such as disconnections or problems caused by old updates), the documented guidance is to reinstall Windows Essentials, which includes Windows Live Mail, or move to another supported email program.

    Key points from the available guidance:

    1. Windows Live Mail is the supported mail client only for older systems such as Windows 7. It is part of the Windows Live Essentials suite, which also includes Messenger, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, Writer, Family Safety, and others.
    2. The Windows Live Essentials package can be (re)installed as a bundle, and individual components such as Mail can be selected during setup.
    3. Because Windows Live Mail is no longer updated or supported, modern alternatives (such as Windows Mail or Outlook) are recommended for ongoing reliability and security, especially when mail servers change their requirements.
    4. If Windows Live Mail problems started after certain updates, one documented mitigation is to reinstall Windows Essentials so that the components are refreshed.

    Given that Windows Live Mail is retired and no longer supported, the practical replacement is to move to a currently supported email client (for example, Windows Mail or Outlook) and configure the iiNet account there. This avoids ongoing issues with server disconnections and lack of updates.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Vikki-T 10,375 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-05-05T08:17:26.81+00:00

    Hi Darryl Dove, 

    I understand how frustrating this can be, especially when Windows Live Mail has been familiar and working for a long time, then suddenly starts disconnecting from the mail server. 

    Windows Live Mail is part of Windows Essentials 2012, which is no longer supported by Microsoft. Because of that, it may not work reliably with current mail server settings and security requirements. In this case, moving to a newer mail app would be a better long-term option than continuing to rely on Windows Live Mail. 

    You may want to try these options: 

    • First, sign in to your Westnet webmail through a web browser, if Westnet provides webmail access. This can help confirm that the mailbox itself is still working. 
    • Then, consider setting up the email account in a newer email app, such as the new Outlook for Windows, classic Outlook if you already have Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365, or another modern email app that supports POP3/IMAP accounts. 
    • Before setting up the account again, please check the latest mail settings with Westnet, including the incoming server, outgoing server, POP3 or IMAP option, port numbers, SSL/TLS requirement, username format, and password requirements. 

    For the simplest path, I would suggest checking Westnet webmail first. If the mailbox works there, you can then set up the same account in a newer email app using the latest settings from Westnet. 

    Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators, contributors including external Microsoft employees cannot directly intervene in Microsoft product features or access back-end systems. Our role is limited to providing technical guidance on reported issues, requests, or ideas. 

    I hope this helps you move away from Windows Live Mail and set up a more reliable email experience. Wishing you a smooth transition to a newer mail app and continued access to your Westnet messages without further interruptions. If you’d like to move to a Microsoft email app, such as Outlook for Windows or Outlook (classic), let me know which one you prefer and I’ll help guide you through the setup as much as possible.

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread. 

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