Windows Live Mail Plain Text Tips

To write plain text emails in Windows Live Mail, you need to disable HTML formatting for new messages and set the default format to plain text. This article explains how to do that, how to send individual plain text messages, and how to handle common formatting and quoting issues.

Why Use Plain Text in Windows Live Mail?

Plain text emails contain no formatting, images, or rich text elements. They are universally readable across all email clients and devices, load faster, and are less likely to be flagged as spam. Many users prefer plain text for professional correspondence, mailing lists, or when sending to recipients with older or limited email software. Windows Live Mail (WLM) is a free desktop email client from Microsoft, originally released in 2007 and discontinued in 2017, but still used by some people on older Windows systems.

How to Set Plain Text as the Default Format

To make all new emails plain text by default, follow these steps:

1. Open Windows Live Mail.
2. Click on the File menu (or the gear icon in some versions) and select Options, then Mail.
3. In the Send tab, look for the Mail Sending Format section.
4. Select Plain Text instead of HTML.
5. Click OK to save the change.

This setting applies to all new messages you compose. Existing drafts and replies may still use HTML if they were started with that format.

Sending a Single Plain Text Email

If you don’t want to change the default, you can send a single email in plain text:

1. Click New to compose a message.
2. In the message window, go to the Format menu (or the Options tab in the ribbon).
3. Select Plain Text.
4. A dialog may ask if you want to switch to plain text; confirm it.
5. Write your email and send it as usual.

Note that switching to plain text will strip any existing formatting in that message, so it’s best to switch before you start writing.

Formatting in Plain Text: What Works and What Doesn’t

Plain text emails only support basic characters: letters, numbers, and standard punctuation. You cannot use bold, italics, colors, fonts, or embedded images. However, you can still structure your email using:

• Line breaks and blank lines to separate paragraphs.
• Basic symbols like asterisks (*) or underscores (_) to emphasize words (e.g., *important*).
• ALL CAPS for strong emphasis (but use sparingly, as it can read as shouting).
• Simple bullet points using hyphens (-) or numbers (1., 2., etc.).
• Plain text links, written as full URLs (e.g., https://www.example.com).

Most email clients will automatically detect URLs and make them clickable, but the recipient may need to copy-paste if not.

Common Problems and Fixes

Here are some frequent issues with plain text in Windows Live Mail and how to solve them:

• Replies are still in HTML. Windows Live Mail sometimes uses the format of the original message for replies. To force plain text, change the default as described above, or use the Format menu in the reply window.
• Line breaks are lost or too long. Plain text doesn’t wrap automatically in all clients. Set your lines to around 70 characters manually, or enable “Word wrap” in the settings if available. In WLM, you can set a fixed line length in the Options > Send tab.
• Accented characters appear garbled. This usually happens when the recipient’s email client uses a different character encoding. In WLM, go to Options > Send and choose a standard encoding like UTF-8 or Windows-1252. Avoid using special symbols that are not in the basic ASCII set.
• Images or signatures disappear. Plain text doesn’t support images. Your signature will appear as plain text, and any HTML-based signature (like a logo) will be lost. Create a plain text signature in Options > Signatures.

Comparing Plain Text vs. HTML

Understanding the trade-offs helps you decide when to use each format:

• Plain Text: smaller file size, faster to send, works everywhere, less likely to be marked as spam, but no visual styling.
• HTML: allows colors, fonts, images, buttons, and responsive design, but can be blocked by security filters, may look broken on some devices, and can be used for phishing (so some users disable HTML entirely).

For personal correspondence, plain text is often sufficient. For newsletters or marketing, HTML is usually preferred. You can set a default but override it per message.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert an HTML email to plain text before sending?

Yes. In the compose window, go to the Format menu and select Plain Text. A warning will appear that formatting will be removed; confirm it. The email will be converted, and you can continue editing.

Why does my plain text email have weird line breaks?

This often happens when your email client wraps lines at a certain length, but the recipient’s client doesn’t. To avoid this, keep lines under 70 characters. In WLM, you can set the line width in Options > Send > Plain Text settings.

Will plain text emails always be delivered?

No delivery is guaranteed, but plain text emails are less likely to be flagged as spam because they contain no links or images that spammers often use. However, if your domain or IP has a poor reputation, even plain text may be filtered.

How do I make a plain text signature?

Go to Options > Mail > Signatures. Create a new signature and choose Text instead of HTML. Type your name, title, and contact info. It will be appended to all outgoing messages, including plain text ones.

Does Windows Live Mail still work in 2025?

Windows Live Mail is discontinued and no longer receives security updates. It may still run on older Windows versions (like Windows 7 or 8.1), but it is not recommended for use due to security risks. Consider moving to a supported email client like Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, or the built-in Windows Mail app.

Alternatives to Windows Live Mail

If you’re looking for a modern email client that fully supports plain text and is actively maintained, consider these options:

• Microsoft Outlook (part of Microsoft 365) – supports plain text and HTML, with extensive settings.
• Mozilla Thunderbird – free, open-source, and highly customizable; you can set plain text as default easily.
• Windows Mail (built into Windows 10/11) – simple, supports plain text, and receives updates.
• Gmail web interface – supports plain text mode (click the three-dot menu and select “Plain text mode”).

These clients offer better security and compatibility with modern email standards.

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