How to Send Email from the Command Line in Windows without Extra Software
Introduction:
The convenience of sending emails from the command line in Windows can save time and make life a bit easier for users who want to automate tasks or make use of existing tools without installing extra software. In this article, we will guide you on how to send an email using the built-in features available in your Windows operating system.
Step by Step Guide:
1. Open Command Prompt:
To begin with, press the ‘Windows key’ and type “cmd” into the search box. Right-click on the ‘Command Prompt’ app and select ‘Run as Administrator’ from the context menu.
2. Turn on Telnet:
Telnet is a networking protocol that enables you to communicate with another computer over a network. To enable it, go to ‘Control Panel’ > ‘Programs’ > ‘Turn Windows features on or off’. Check the box next to ‘Telnet Client’ and click ‘OK’. Wait for the changes to be applied, then close the window.
3. Use Telnet to Send an Email:
Open Command Prompt again if you have closed it and type the following command:
“`
telnet mail.example.com 25
“`
Replace “mail.example.com” with your email provider’s SMTP server address and “25” is the port number used for SMTP communication. Press Enter to establish a connection with your email provider’s server.
4. Identifying Yourself:
Once connected, introduce yourself by typing:
“`
HELO yourdomain.com
“`
Replace “yourdomain.com” with your own domain or any valid domain name then press Enter.
5. Log in with Your Account Credentials:
Next, type:
“`
AUTH LOGIN
“`
Press Enter, and you’ll receive a base64 encoded prompt for your username/email address. Encode your email address using a base64 encoder tool like [Base64Encode](https://www.base64encode.org/), paste the encoded result and press Enter.
Do the same for your password when prompted, encode it using the same base64 encoder tool, copy the result, paste it into CMD, and press Enter.
6. Compose and Send the Email:
Now you can compose your email by defining the ‘From’, ‘To’, ‘Subject’, and ‘Body’ fields. Use these commands to create your email message:
“`
MAIL FROM:[email protected]
RCPT TO:[email protected]
DATA
Subject: Your Email Subject
Your email message body goes here.
.“`
Make sure to replace “[email protected]” with your actual email address and
“[email protected]” with the recipient’s email address. After completing all fields, hit Enter after each line, and ensure you insert a period (.) on a new line to indicate the end of your message text.
7. Closing the Connection:
Finally, close the connection to the SMTP server using this command:
“`
QUIT
“`
Conclusion:
Sending an email from the command line in Windows without any extra software is a simple process once you’ve followed these steps. This can be particularly helpful for automation or when additional software cannot be installed on a machine. Just ensure to have your provider’s SMTP server details and your account credentials handy for a seamless experience.