New Email Provider Search

I'm looking for a new email provider to replace the Hotmail accounts I currently use. I do not have a smartphone, so I can't receive texts. For some reason, Hotmail has locked one of my emails, and, even though it sends a code to my other account, it still requires my receiving a code via text. Very frustrating.

I'd like a provider that offers the following:
* low cost
* emails accessible via Thunderbird using POP3
* no texting required

Thanks for any help on the above.

wpr said:

I'm looking for a new email provider to replace the Hotmail accounts I currently use. I do not have a smartphone, so I can't receive texts. For some reason, Hotmail has locked one of my emails, and, even though it sends a code to my other account, it still requires my receiving a code via text. Very frustrating.

I'd like a provider that offers the following:
* low cost
* emails accessible via Thunderbird using POP3
* no texting required

Thanks for any help on the above.

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Sky is the limit but you should be able to use a landline phone number and they send a code and you write it down. It does not even have to be YOUR phone number

I use free Yahoo, Earthlink (netcom) and Gmail . . . oh and my Verizon email I never used is with AOL that might even be Yahoo now(?) I have not even checked in probably more than a year. There's also protonmail but POP3 requires a paid plan

This is a good question for an AI search

Gmail might be discontinuing the "Check mail from other accounts" feature via POP3 on the Gmail web app but I dont think that matters here(?)

wpr said:

Hotmail has locked one of my emails, and, even though it sends a code to my other account, it still requires my receiving a code via text.

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You can remove SMS texting option from MSA, I did it years ago for security reasons.

wpr said:

I do not have a smartphone,

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You can use desktop 2FA app, but remember to backup MSA recovery code!

Since you are thinking about a new email account take a look at haveibeenpwned.com to see if your email has been associated with any data breach sites and if there are many then the change might be a good idea. If it comes up clean or very few keep what you have.

Nothing wrong with having a few email accounts at different providers. I have 8 email accounts with 4 providers and only pay for one of them

wpr said:

even though it sends a code to my other account, it still requires my receiving a code via text. Very frustrating.

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That's because your have your cell-phone listed as one of the ways for MS to verify your account, so you've gotten yourself into a "loop" of being unable to verify all due to what you chose as verification methods. Had you not listed your cell phone, it would have left "alternate email" as an open means of verifying.

If you have NOT turned on 2-step verification, you can get out of the loop using Microsoft's "fill out recovery form" as addressed here Help with the Microsoft account recovery form - Microsoft Support

However, if you DO have 2 step verification turned on, the recovery form will not work. Ms states "if you have turned on two-step verification and cannot access any of the alternate methods to get a verification, we cannot help you, sorry. To protect your account and its contents, our support agents are not allowed to send password reset links, or access and change account details."

There's more involved that just getting another email provider. My concern for you is whether or not the affected account is used to sign in to your computer or been used to purchase any MS software. That be so, your easiest way to resolve it is to contact your cell provider and find out your options for receiving text messages.

Thanks for all the replies.

My email accounts are not used to sign into my computer. I am not impressed with the Hotmail experience and would like to find a different provider for my email service. My current ISP does not offer email service. I don't need a lot of 'bells and whistles', but I prefer POP3 service, and want to do my emailing via Thunderbird.

@wpr
I have no new suggestions for whom you could establish a free pop3 email account with but, the suggestion "to contact your cell provider and find out your options for receiving text messages" from "glasskuter" is worth a try. Some cell providers offer a way to send and receive text messages with your pc.
I use it occasionally with T-Mobile.

glasskuter said:

That's because your have your cell-phone listed as one of the ways for MS to verify your account

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they dont have a smartphone. I would follow TairikuOkami post 3.

You will need to enable 2fa on more accounts going forward, so be prepared. Use a 2fa code app on desktop or something. Make sure the keys are backed up offsite.

1. You can change your Hotmail Account to be a Folder under an Outlook Mail account, i.e. the Hotmail emails then appears in Outlook Mail.
That is how I have my old Hotmail account arranged and it still works, that was at least 10 years ago so I do not know the current procedure for linking.

2. Just search for Free Email Accounts, I would aim for the popular ones as they will probably last the longest.

Some may insist on the SMS texts, so you rule those out.

The list will probably include Outlook mail, Gmail, Yahoo mail, those I have used, via New Outlook client and Thunderbird client. The 2 Email client apps being under long term evaluation.

Others maybe:
iCloud mail(last time I looked it insisted on SMS texts)
AOL mail
GMX mail