How to insert HTML signatures in Windows Live Mail

In this post I will show you how to quickly insert a HTML signature in Windows Live Mail. If you are using Window Mail or Outlook Express, the process is almost exactly the same, as they all belong to the Microsoft stable and are built using many identical features (even though the look and feel is different).

First you need to have created your HTML signature. Check out my earlier post which shows you how to do this: How to create your own html email signature.

Struggling with the HTML side of things - Want a quick solution?

If you find it a bit daunting to create your html signature from scratch, there are plenty of free (and paid) tools available, which can do most or all of the 'behind the scenes' work for you... A Google search will throw up many options, or you may want to try:

• WiseStamp - a free plugin for Chrome and Firefox. Create your signature using the visual editor, which also lets you insert social networking links, quotes and more. You can then use the platform to automatically insert your signature in emails sent with Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail - or you can copy the html code and save it as a file to insert manually when using a different email client. Note: If you want to remove the advertisement tagline below your signature you will need to upgrade to a paid version.

Before you attempt to configure your signature in Windows Live Mail, make sure that you have saved your signature file (for example my-awesome-signature.html) in a folder on your computer where you will easily find it – it is important that you do not move this folder as your local machine inserts the signature from this location every time you send an email (any images used in your signature will need to be uploaded and linked to in the html code).

Open Windows Live Mail 

Click on the blue menu tab (top left)

Select Options & Click on Mail

Click on the Signatures tab and then click the New button

Click on the Rename button and give your signature a new name

Next - Select File as signature type - and click the Browse button

Locate and select your signature file

Note: make sure you select to view HTML files or you won't see the file

Click Apply and OK to save your new signature (you can set it to be the Default Signature if you like, or you can leave that for later when you know if this is the one you want to use as your main signature).


Compose a new message to test your  Email Signature 

In message mode the quickest way to insert the signature is by clicking the "Other" dropdown menu - select Signature and click on your new signature to insert it. You can also go to the Insert tab at the top of the message and insert the signature that way, whichever works best for you. 

Signature successfully inserted in new message

Test your signature by emailing it to yourself - if you have more than one email address (using different email clients) send a test to each one, as this will give you a better idea of how your signature is performing.