Download Hmailserver 5.7 -
Navigate to Settings > Advanced > TCP/IP Ports. Here you can configure ports for SMTP, POP3, and IMAP.
hmail_db) and user (e.g., hmail_user) with full privileges.administrator account (used for the admin GUI).If you currently run hMailServer 5.6 and are considering replacing it with a fresh download hmailserver 5.7 package, note:
Once installed, the software is not immediately secure. You must configure the following immediately:
SMTP Authentication: Go to Settings > Protocols > SMTP > Authentication. Ensure "Allow plain text authentication" is disabled if you have SSL set up. Ensure "Local to external e-mail addresses" requires authentication to prevent your server from becoming an open relay for
hMailServer 5.7 is the latest, community-maintained beta branch of the popular open-source email server for Microsoft Windows. While the original developer officially halted active support in early 2022, third-party contributors have continued to release builds to address critical bugs and modern security needs. How to Download hMailServer 5.7
Because version 5.7 is considered a beta/preview release maintained by the community, it is often found on automated build servers rather than the main project homepage:
Official Build Server: The most reliable place to find the latest compiled version is the hMailServer Build Server, where you can log in as a guest.
GitHub Repository: Development discussions and source code for the 5.7 branch are hosted on the official hMailServer GitHub.
Latest Build: As of late 2023, common versions include hMailServer-5.7.0-B2643-x64.exe. Key Features and Updates in Version 5.7
Version 5.7 introduces several modernizations over the older 5.6 branch:
64-bit Architecture (x64): Unlike older versions that were primarily 32-bit, version 5.7 offers native x64 support, allowing it to leverage more system memory and modern server performance.
Modern Visual Studio Support: The 5.7 branch is built using Visual Studio 2019, ensuring compatibility with newer Windows Server environments. download hmailserver 5.7
Security Patches: Contributors focus on updating insecure algorithms (like SHA1) and integrating more recent versions of OpenSSL to meet current encryption standards.
Database Flexibility: It continues to support external engines like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MS SQL Server. Installation Prerequisites
To successfully run hMailServer 5.7, your system should meet these requirements: Create A Fork Of hMailServer To Run On Windows Systems
There is no official stable release for hMailServer 5.7 . The software is no longer actively developed, with the latest stable release being 5.6.8 (Build 2574)
. Version 5.7 exists only as community-built development snapshots or specific beta builds available through the project's build server. Download Options Official Stable (Recommended): latest stable version , released in March 2021. Official Beta: 5.6.9 (Build 2607) is the most recent beta provided by the developer. Development Builds (5.7):
You can access unofficial 5.7 builds (e.g., Build #2643) by logging in as a guest on the hMailServer Build Server
. These are experimental and may have installation issues, such as missing library errors during MySQL setup. Status & Security End of Development: hMailServer is officially no longer maintained . Users are encouraged to review the developer's official state of the project before deploying it in a production environment. Source Code: The full source code is available on
, allowing users to compile their own versions using Visual Studio 2019. Popular Alternatives
Since development has ceased, many users consider alternative active mail servers: MailEnable A common Windows-based alternative. A feature-rich, commercial Windows mail server. Mail-in-a-Box
A popular open-source Linux solution for those moving away from Windows hosting. specific installation error in version 5.7, or would you like to see a feature comparison of the newer alternatives? hMailServer - GitHub
hMailServer 5.7 is a free, open-source email server for Windows that supports standard protocols like IMAP, SMTP, and POP3. However, since the official development has slowed, version 5.7 is often found as community-compiled builds rather than official installer packages on the main site. Quick Setup & Download Guide Navigate to Settings > Advanced > TCP/IP Ports
Direct Download: Since there is no "stable" 5.7 installer on the main website, you can find compiled versions (like Build #2643) on the hMailServer Build Server by logging in as a guest.
Alternative 64-bit Build: A community-maintained 64-bit installer for version 5.7.0-B2495 is available on GitHub. Installation Prerequisites:
OS: Windows Server 2012 or later (including Windows 10/11 for local testing).
Database: Built-in Microsoft SQL Compact (for small setups) or external engines like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MS SQL Server.
Framework: May require .NET Framework 3.5 or specific Visual C++ Redistributables depending on the build. Key Features & Use Cases
Domain Management: Supports multiple domains, aliases, and "catch-all" addresses for flexible routing.
Security & Spam: Includes built-in score-based spam protection and integrates with ClamAV for virus scanning.
Protocols: Fully supports SMTP for sending and IMAP/POP3 for receiving, making it compatible with clients like Outlook, Thunderbird, and various webmail systems. Critical Security Advisory
Official development of hMailServer has largely ceased. Security experts on GitHub warn that the software relies on outdated versions of OpenSSL and algorithms like SHA1, which are considered insecure by modern standards. It is recommended for internal local testing or low-risk environments rather than public-facing production servers. Core Configuration Steps
Administrator Tool: Launch the hMailServer Administrator and connect to localhost.
Add Domain: Navigate to Domains > Add and enter your desired domain name. Database Connection Settings – Create a dedicated database
Accounts: Under the new domain, click Accounts > Add to create user mailboxes.
SMTP Settings: Configure "Delivery of e-mail" under Settings > Protocols > SMTP to specify your public IP or ISP relay if needed. hMailServer has run out of memory, clearing caches. #258
While the official project development has slowed, you can still find downloads for the community-maintained and experimental builds of hMailServer 5.7 Download hMailServer 5.7
You can download various builds of the 5.7 branch (including x64 versions) directly from the hMailServer GitHub Repository Build Note
: Versions like 5.7.0-B2530 are often used to address modern requirements, such as Visual Studio 2019 compatibility and 64-bit architecture support. Official Alternative : If you prefer the most stable "final" release, hMailServer 5.6.8 remains the standard for many users. Feature Idea: "Zero-Trust Geo-Fencing"
Since hMailServer is often used by smaller organizations that may not have global traffic, a powerful addition would be Zero-Trust Geo-Fencing How it works
: An administrator can define "Safe Zones" based on geographic IP location. Any login attempt or SMTP connection from outside these zones is automatically blocked at the firewall level before it can even attempt authentication. Why it's useful
: Most brute-force attacks on private mail servers originate from regions where the company has no employees or business interests. This feature would drastically reduce the attack surface and logs filled with failed login attempts from foreign botnets. hMailServer - GitHub
The official project website sometimes hides experimental builds. To access them:
hMailServer is one of the most popular free, open-source mail servers for the Windows operating system. It is widely used by developers, small businesses, and IT administrators who need a lightweight, reliable solution for handling email without the cost of Microsoft Exchange.
While the project has seen slower development in recent years, hMailServer 5.7 remains a stable and trusted build for Windows environments. This article covers where to download it, the installation process, and critical security considerations.