add a Microsoft account despite stopping the service

Since July 11, 2017, users of a smartphone running Windows Phone 8.1 no longer receive updates. Its successor, Windows 10 Mobile, saw its life cycle stopped on December 10, 2019. Then, Microsoft decided to ban Windows Phone users by blocking the connection of Microsoft accounts (Outlook, Hotmail, Live, MSN) to these old phones, preventing them from syncing their email, calendar, contacts, and tasks.

We regret this decision of the company which has certainly abandoned its mobile operating system, but which should not hold its former customers hostage. Owners of a Nokia Lumia were not as numerous as those who owned a Samsung or Apple smartphone, but this unilateral decision rendered inoperative all phones powered by Windows Phone, a fluid, stable and easy-to-use OS. A simplicity of use that mentally blocks some people from not wanting to switch to Android or iOS.

At the time, Windows 10 Mobile had to be compared to Android 6 or iOS 9. Today, these versions make people smile because of their age, but Microsoft had nevertheless invested millions before abandoning the mobile field. Years later, some have not abdicated and the use of a Nokia Lumia, basic or high-end, is still in the daily lives of thousands of people.

But faced with Microsoft’s blocking on Windows Phone, how to continue using your Lumia or how to reconfigure your Nokia after a Windows Phone 8.1 system reset? Answer in this tutorial which explains how add a Microsoft account to a Windows Phone 8.1 smartphone to synchronize mail, contacts, calendar and tasksdespite Microsoft being blocked since 2020.

Error message when adding a Microsoft account on Windows Phone 8.1

Logic would dictate that the configuration should be done as such:

1. Add a “Microsoft Account”:

2. Choose “Connect” to an existing account:

3. The error appears after a few moments. Pressing “Try again” does not change anything, the same message comes up repeatedly:

Connexion impossible
We are having connection difficulties. Check that you have good reception. If so, wait a while before trying again.

Problem, you will have to wait a long time since synchronization has not been activated by Microsoft for several years now.

Solution to add a Microsoft account on Windows Phone 8.1

1. In the Settings of Windows Phone, section “ Emails and accounts« , add an account de type « Exchange instead of “Microsoft account”:

2. Enter themail address Microsoft (Hotmail, Outlook, Live, MSN) et le password partner, before pressing ” To log in » :

3. Check the content to be synchronized, as needed: E-mail ; Contacts ; Calendar ; Tasks.

4. Leave the server address as shown by default (“eas.outlook.com” with SSL security enabled):

5. The Hotmail address, Outlook or other Microsoft account has been added, the “E” icon betrays the use of an Exchange connection.

6. Find contacts, calendar appointments and e-mail in the various Windows Phone applications.