Member Avatar for Jeff51

I have Vista 32 Ultimate with Outlook 2007 w/Outlook connector. I have 2 Windows Live email accounts. I was able to synchronize both accounts with no problems up till a few days ago. Now Outlook will not download any of my Windows Live email. I have repared the Office Install, Reinstall Outlook Connector, Deleted and readdedthe subject accounts, Turned off Defender and Windows Firewall still no help. Any ideas?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Emzlly

Dani AI

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Several replies in this thread point to common failure modes for Outlook 2007 + the Outlook Hotmail/Windows Live Connector. Problems that often look identical (accounts stop syncing, repeated sign-in prompts, connector “just stops”) are usually caused by a corrupted Outlook profile or credential cache, a broken Windows Live sign‑in helper, a third‑party add‑in/AV intercepting mail sign‑on, or protocol/authentication changes on the server side. described the symptoms; ’s experience with vendor add‑ins and ’s note about IP/sign‑in issues are both relevant clues.

A practical checklist that isolates the fault without reinstalling the OS:

  • Create a brand‑new Outlook profile (Control Panel → Mail → Show Profiles → Add) and test the connector there.
  • Start Outlook in Safe Mode (outlook.exe /safe) to see if add‑ins are the culprit, then selectively disable non‑Microsoft add‑ins.
  • Check that the Windows Live ID Sign‑in Assistant (wlidsvc) is installed and running; reinstall Windows Live Essentials components if that service is missing or corrupted.
  • Clear any cached Windows Live credentials (Stored User Names and Passwords / Credential Manager) so a fresh authentication is forced.
  • Enable Outlook/connector logging and check the Application event log for specific error codes before doing broad changes.
  • Make sure Outlook 2007 has the latest service pack/updates and the newest Hotmail/Connector installer available for that era.

If the connector ultimately cannot be made reliable, consider using the account via IMAP/SMTP or a newer Outlook client. Current IMAP/SMTP settings that work with Outlook.com/Hotmail accounts:

IMAP (incoming)
Server: imap-mail.outlook.com
Port: 993
Encryption: SSL/TLS

SMTP (outgoing)
Server: smtp-mail.outlook.com
Port: 587
Encryption: STARTTLS (TLS)
Authentication: required (same credentials)

Collect logs and event entries before any full OS reinstall. That usually pinpoints whether the issue is local (profile, add‑in, credential helper) or caused by server/authentication changes that require a different client or protocol.

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Member Avatar for zandiago

Please turn back on your windows firewall & defender. i don't think outlook express still is compatible with hotmail accounts. So you may have to install the windows live mail client. Its similar to outlook.

Member Avatar for PPGAndy

I've had a similar problem with the connector. I cannot get the connection to link. Outlook keeps asking me to log in and I do and the connector just stops. WHen I use the same id/pw to login to Windows LIve I get in just fine. I've tried looking at a number of support sites but no resolution yet.

Member Avatar for m23perrault

I believe MS has made it so you need to pay a subscription to use the outlook connector with windows live. :(

Member Avatar for PPGAndy

there may be some version that requires a subscription but if you're using Outlook2007 you do not. I think that was a previous or older version.

I ended up reimplementing Vista without all the vendor add ins that came from the mfger. All works like a champ now. I"m thinking most of all these problems we fight with are simply vendor hooks to keep us on in their circle. Getting back to the base installation is nearly impossible to do though. Can't Microsoft work with pc manufacturers to make sure that the configurations they sell minimize conflicts that cause all of us lost hours and unproductive time?

Member Avatar for Emzlly

Maybe your hotmail is no longer recognizing your IP address?

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