How to Install and Configure an SMTP Server on Windows Server 2022

Windows Server 2022 does not include a built-in SMTP server, but you can set up an SMTP relay using IIS (Internet Information Services) Manager and the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) feature.

Step 1: Install the SMTP Server Feature

1. Open Server Manager

• Click Start → Server Manager.

2. Add Roles and Features

• Click Manage → Add Roles and Features.
• Click Next until you reach Server Roles.
• Expand Web Server (IIS) → Add SMTP Server.
• Click Next, then Install.
• Wait for the installation to complete, then close the wizard.

Step 2: Configure the SMTP Server

1. Open IIS 6.0 Manager (for SMTP configuration)

• Press Win + R, type inetmgr6, and press Enter.
• In the left panel, expand the server node.
• Right-click [SMTP Virtual Server] → Click Properties.

2. Set the IP Address

• Under the General tab, choose the server’s IP address.

3. Allow Relaying (If Required)

• Go to the Access tab → Click Relay.
• Add specific IP addresses that are allowed to send emails.

4. Set Authentication (Optional)

• Go to the Delivery tab → Click Outbound Security.
• If using an external SMTP service (e.g., Titan Mail, Office 365), enter the authentication details.

Step 3: Open the SMTP Port in Windows Firewall

1. Open Windows Defender Firewall → Click Advanced Settings.
2. Select Inbound Rules → Click New Rule.
3. Choose Port → Select TCP → Enter 25, 587, 465 (as needed).
4. Allow the connection → Name it SMTP Service → Click Finish.

Step 4: Test the SMTP Server

Open Command Prompt (cmd) and type:

telnet localhost 25

If the SMTP server responds, it is working.
You can also use PowerShell to send a test email:

Send-MailMessage -From "you@example.com" -To "recipient@example.com" -Subject "Test Email" -Body "SMTP is working!" -SmtpServer "your_server_ip"

Alternative: Use a Third-Party SMTP Server
If you need better security and deliverability, consider using Titan Mail, Office 365 SMTP, or Gmail SMTP instead of a local SMTP server.