POP
No. Hotmail does not support IMAP.
From the current looks of it, it won't. According to the support team, the current Hotmail system wasn't built to support IMAP. However, Hotmail was late to support POP3, so it could be possible that they'll be slow to support IMAP as well.
imap
Hotmail does not support pop3 unless you are a paying subscriber. GMX.com is free mail that does support pop3 and imap.
Hotmail's incoming mail server for POP3 is pop3.live.com on port 995. Hotmail's incoming mail server for IMAPis imap-mail.live.com on port 993.
SMTP - 25, 465, and 587 POP - 109, 110, and 995 IMAP - 143, 220, and 993
Yes, Windows Live Hotmail use a POP server.
Because IMAP stores email on the server side and POP does not, IMAP requires more storage space than POP does.
I'm not sure how to set it up on that individual client, but here's some important information: If it works with an IMAP (IMAP4) server, go to your Gmail settings, go to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab and make sure 'Enable IMAP' is selected. Click 'Save Changes.' If not, select 'Disable IMAP' and 'Enable POP for all mail (even mail that's already been downloaded).' (Receiving mail and custom folders) IMAP server: imap.gmail.com IMAP port: 995. (Receiving mail) POP server: pop.gmail.com POP port: 995 (Sending mail) SMTP server: smtp.gmail.com SMTP port: 465 (This is very important, as this is NOT the default port for SMTP)! If this is wrong, try Gmail>Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab>Configuration instructions. Hope this was helpful!
POP3 SupportHotmail only directly supports POP3. For POP3, use pop3.live.com and smtp.live.com on ports 995 and 587 using SSL. For detailed instructions, go to the Windows Live website listed in Related Links.IMAP SupportA product named "mBox Mail for Mac" provides IMAP access to your Hotmail account. This is for Mac or iPhone/iPod touch devices. It is compatible with Mac Mail, Entrouage, and Thunderbird.Folder SupportOn Windows machines you can use Microsoft Windows Live desktop client. It will allow you to manage your Hotmail folders as well as add other IMAP accounts.CESabarre_Free_Technical_Support_for_Outlook_">CESabarre Free Technical Support for Outlook to setup hotmail email addresses in outlook you need to download and Hotmail doesnt use imap it uses mapi. those two are different. I have a link posted at the discussion page check it out.
IMAP
Internet Message Access Protocol(IMAP) was developed by Mark Crispin in 1986. It is a protocol for email retrieval and storage as an alternative to POP.