KMailLinux
vs
Windows Live MailWindows
KMail as a Linux alternative to Windows Live Mail
Updated
Our verdict
KMail can replace Windows Live Mail for users who need a full‑featured, open‑source email client with calendar, contacts, and newsreader support. It handles IMAP/POP3, multi‑account setup, and PIM integration, making it suitable for people who already use KDE or prefer a single application for email, calendar, and contacts. It is less convenient for users who rely on Windows‑specific features like the old Windows Live Mail data format or who want a lightweight, non‑KDE environment.
- License
- GPL-2.0-or-later
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 26.08.2
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Supports IMAP and POP3 mail retrieval
- Allows multiple accounts and identities
- Includes calendar and contact management
- Offers RSS feed reading via Akonadi
- Provides newsreader (Usenet) support
What is different
- No built‑in support for importing Windows Live Mail .pst/.wlt files
- Requires KDE environment for full PIM integration
- Does not include the legacy Windows Live Mail UI or specific integration with Microsoft services
- No native Windows Live Mail data export tool
- Lacks the bundled Windows Live Messenger integration
Opening your Windows Live Mail files
KMail does not natively open Windows Live Mail data files (.pst or .wlt). Users must first export messages from Windows Live Mail to a standard format such as EML or MBOX, then import those files into KMail using the import wizard or by dragging the files into the mailbox. Direct conversion tools are not available.
Switching from Windows Live Mail to KMail, step by step
- Export all mail from Windows Live Mail to EML or MBOX files via the export function.
- Export contacts to a CSV or vCard file.
- Export calendar entries to an iCalendar (.ics) file.
- Install KMail from your distribution’s package manager (e.g., apt install kmail).
- Configure KMail with your email accounts (IMAP/POP3) and set the same identities as before.
- Import the EML/MBOX files into the appropriate mailbox folders in KMail; import contacts and calendar files into KAddressBook and KOrganizer.
- faq
Key features of KMail
- Supports IMAP, POP3, and local mailboxes
- Integrated calendar and contact management via Akonadi
- Built-in virus scanning and spam filtering (SPAMassassin)
- PIM integration with KOrganizer and KAddressBook
- Supports multiple accounts and identities
- Message filtering and rule-based automation
- Attachment preview and management
- Integration with KDE file manager (Dolphin)
How to install KMail on Linux
sudo apt install kmailsudo apt install kmailsudo dnf install kmailsudo pacman -S kmailsudo zypper install kmail5 other alternatives to Windows Live Mail
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