Phishing in the Microsoft Windows Live Hotmail Pond

Summary:

A variety of email phishing methods are employed in an attempt to harvest Hotmail usernames and  passwords. Phishing attempts may give the impression that the source of the email actually originated from Microsoft.

Background:

A phishing attempt is a form of identity theft (an attempt to obtain *your* personal information). The example below shows a fake email message attempt to obtain (phish) your Hotmail username and password.

The message may have been delivered through the Hotmail servers (arriving in your Inbox) but not actually originating from Hotmail or Microsoft.

Inspection of the message’s headers often provides many clues on the source and location of the fake message. The example below highlights (within red triangle)  a few of these clues.

Also of importance the message header’s content may be falsified by the originating phishing source.

How To:

 To view the message source/headers of a message received  in your Hotmail account in the Hotmail web user interface.

• Single or Double Click on the message (to display it)
• Look in the upper right of the message for the ‘Reply’ option
• Click on the downward arrow adjacent and to the right of the ‘Reply’ option
• Scroll down and select ‘View Message Source’

Comments:

1. First and foremost – Be careful out there!  If uncertain, be suspicious.
2. For additional knowledge and information see these Microsoft articles.

Email and Web Scams: How to help protect yourself

http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/phishing-scams.aspx

Win the Battle against email fraud

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/securitytipstalk/archive/2012/03/20/win-the-battle-against-email-fraud.aspx

How to recognize phishing email messages, links or phone calls

http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/phishing-symptoms.aspx

Revisions:

May 15, 2012:  Draft version

May 21, 2012: Original Publish Date

June 8, 2012: Added comments and ‘view message source’ instructions for the Hotmail web interface

How To Install Windows Live Essentials 2011

Summary:

Overview and explanation of the Windows Live Essentials 2011 installer’s choices for installing all or selective Windows Live Essentials 2011 applications and optional components on Vista Sp2, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 Sp2 R2 and Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Installation Process and Choices:

The Windows Live Essentials 2011 (WLE 2011) installer will first notify that is it ‘preparing to install’

Once preparation is complete the installer will provide two installation choices:

1. “Install all of Windows Live Essentials“  = Install ‘Everything’ (a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 12 applications and optional programs)
2. “Choose which programs you want to install” = User option to selectively install 1 or more items (Custom mode)

If comfortable with Microsoft’s’ recommendation to ‘Install all’ select the first option, allow the installer to finish until completion and begin using one or more of any application (fyi – upon completion Windows Live Messenger will automatically be loaded)

On the other hand if preferring the ability to decide which applications will be installed (since many users may not need or want the full compliment of included applications) then select the second option ‘Choose the programs you want to install’.

It is extremely important to note that even when choosing the second option all programs are ‘pre-checked’ to be installed (i.e. you must ‘Opt-Out’ of any application or it will be installed).  The graphic below contains additional text added by this writer reiterating the need to ‘Uncheck’ any program in order to prevent installation.

An example of a more typical selection of the six primary WLE 2011 application programs (Messenger, Mail, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, Writer, and Mesh) is shown below (at least one program must be chosen).

Once the ‘Install’ button is clicked the installation process will provide a ‘completion status’ until ‘Done!’

 

 

 

 

Once the installation is ‘Done!’, click the Close Button, Shutdown/Restart (even if not prompted) and start using any of the installed Windows Live Essentials 2011 programs.

Comments:

• The Outlook Connector Pack includes the Outlook Hotmail Connector and the Windows Live Messenger Provider for the Outlook Social Connector. The latter is only installed if the Outlook Social Connector is already installed.
• The Outlook Social Connector is included in Office 2010 and available (as a download) for Outlook 2003/2007.
• Windows Live Downloads – link to obtain the latest WLE 2011 installer (full or web version)
• Windows Live Essentials 2011 Version Numbers – link itemizing version numbers for WLE 2011 individual applicationprograms
• WLE 2011 requires Vista Sp2, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 Sp2 R2 or Windows 8 Consumer Preview.
• WLE 2011 can also be installed on Windows 8 Consumer Preview though prior to installation it is highly recommended to  first enable .NET 3.5 (includes 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5) in Windows 8 Consumer Preview. To enable .NET 3.5  see:  Installing the .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 8 Consumer Preview 
• This blog article was written due to the large number of questions (always welcomed) received via E-mail and Instant Messaging regarding the applicability/compatibility of installing WLE 2011 as a supplement and/or alternative to the current available Windows 8 Consumer Preview ‘Apps’. Also special thanks to Amber for providing the MSDN Windows 8 .NET 3.5 install link.

Revisions:

March 27, 2012: Original Publish Date

MSN Phasing out Chat and E-mail Support For Subscription Plans

 

Summary:

Effective April 30, 2012 MSN will phase out support via Chat and e-mail for MSN subscription (fee-based) customers

 

Subscriber Notification:

• Email notice of March 19, 2012

Current Options Impacted:

   

 

Comments:

• Support can be obtained now and in the future in the MSN Solution Center – http://answers.msn.com  
• This change impacts MSN Subscribers (fee based) using MSN Dial-Up or Premium Internet Software Plans
• The Chat and E-Mail Support options at https://support.msn.com will no longer be available
• The notification does not mention removal of ‘Customer Service Phone Support’ which is expected to remain available for billing, cancellation etc. purposes

Revisions:
March 19, 2012: Original Draft Date
March 22, 2012: Original Publish Date

Windows Live Downloads – Version 2

Summary:

• Links to download the current version (now called) Windows Essentials 2012 applications/programs
• Links to download the 2011 version of the Windows Live Essentials 2011 applications/programs
• Links to download  the  prior  version of  the Windows Live Essentials 2009 applications/programs
• Links to download earlier versions (Windows Live Essentials 2008) are no longer available from Microsoft

Links:

• Windows Essentials 2012 (note name change)
• Windows Live Essentials 2011 
• Download Links for 2012 is the QFE1 build released Sept. 2012 (note Mail, Messenger, Writer will retain the ‘Live’ name)
• Download links for 2011 are for build QFE3 released March 2012
• System Requirements for 2012 and 2011 (recommended reading)

Direct download to Microsoft server for the installer executable file

Full version 2012 installer
http://g.live.com/1rewlive5-all/en/wlsetup-all.exe

Web Version 2012 Installer – English Language Version
http://g.live.com/1rewlive5-web/en/wlsetup-web.exe

Full Version 2011 Installer – English Language version
http://g.live.com/1rewlive4-all/en/wlsetup-all.exe

Web Version 2011 Installer – English Language Version
http://g.live.com/1rewlive4-web/en/wlsetup-web.exe

Note: Direct download links above are for the English language installer. For a different country replace the ‘en’ with the local language code.

Microsoft Windows Live Web Site (web version installer for 2012)

http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials

Microsoft Windows Live Worldwide Downloads(web version installer for 2012)

http://explore.live.com/worldwide-downloads

System Requirements (2012 version) -suggested reading
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/Windows-Essentials-2012-system-requirements

System Requirements (2011 version)  – suggested reading
http://explore.live.com/windows-live-2011-system-requirements
Note: Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 require the respective o/s Platform Update

Older version (2009):

Windows Live Essentials 2009  (Earlier version still available primarily for Windows XP  and Server 2008 compatibility (not recommended for use on Vista or Windows 7 since it may prompt for mandatory upgrade to 2011 version)

Direct download to Microsoft server for the installer executable file
Full Version Installer English Language version
http://g.live.com/1rewlive3/en/wlsetup-all.exe
Web Version Installer – English Language Version
http://g.live.com/1rewlive3/en/wlsetup-web.exe

Note: Direct download links above are for the English language installer. For a different country replace the ‘en’ with the local language code.

Microsoft Windows Live Web Site links(web version installer)
http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials-xp

Microsoft Download Center(web version installer)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=00ed0c6b-152f-49eb-88c8-278267802f57

System Requirements (2009 Version)  – suggested reading
http://explore.live.com/windows-live-system-requirements

Comments:

Windows Essentials 2012

1. Initial version released August 7, 2012 (Build 16.4.3503.0728);

2. QFE1 version released Sept 27, 2012 (Build 16.4.3505.0912)

3. Does not include Live Mesh (Sky Drive Desktop app replaces Live Mesh)

4. Will remove Live Mesh if installed

5. Will remove Messenger Companion if installed

6. Photo Gallery and Movie Maker rebranded as Windows Photo Gallery and Windows Movie Maker. No change in branding to the names for Windows Live applications (Mail, Messenger, and Writer)

7. Update  primarily for Photo Gallery and Movie Maker (both programs install as one package)

8. Windows Update KB 2741355 is a pre-requisite for DirectX 9 support in Movie Maker on Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 systems.

Windows Live Essentials 2011 (Wave 4)

1. Initial Version RTW released Sept 30, 2010

- Build Number 15.4.3502.0922

- c.f. Windows Live Essentials 2011 available for download

2. QFE1 Version RTW released Dec 1, 2010

- Build Number 15.4.3508.1109 ( Windows Live Mesh and Family Safety not updated)

- no GUI changes, no official update notice  available on Windows Live Team site

- Full and Web Installers did not require/receive a build number update

3. QFE2 Version RTW released July 7, 2011

- Build Number 15.4.3538.513  (Installer) – See #5 below for link to build number by program

- Windows Live  Team QFE2 update notification and overview  of  changes

4. QFE3 version RTW released on March 20, 2012

- Build Number 15.4.3555.308  (Installer) – See #5 below for link to build number by program

- Windows Team QFE3 update notification (additional details not available at this time)

5. Windows Live Essentials 2011 Version/Build Numbers – itemized list for each individual program

Windows Live Essentials 2009 (Wave 3)

1. Last/Final 2009 version (QFE3) was released May 12, 2010

2. QFE3 is the last planned update for Windows Live Essentials 2009 (Wave 3)

3. Last version to support Windows XP

4. Support for the 2009 version will continue for the ‘foreseeable future’

5. The ‘foreseeable future’ does not mean ‘in perpetuity’; XPSp3 Extended Support ends Apr. 2014

6. The ‘foreseeable future’ may not mean until the end of XPSp3 Extended Support(i.e. Plan ahead)

7. Windows Live Essentials 2009 Version/Build Numbers

Revisions:

March 20, 2012: Original Publish Date

March 26, 2012:  Revised title and published as new blog entry to supersede (not replace) earlier searchable entry.

August 7, 2012: Updated to include information on release of Windows Essentials 2012

October 7, 2012: Updated for Windows Essentials 2012 QFE1;  Added noted for Movie Maker/DirectX 9 support on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (KB 2741355 pre-requisite)

Windows Live Hotmail – How To Close A Hotmail Account

Summary:

• A Hotmail type account can only be closed by a valid Windows Live ID owner
• Closure requires use of the Windows Live ‘Close Your Account’ tool
• Closure requests are only finalized after 9 months (270 days) of inactivity

Background Information:

• Due to security reasons only valid holders of a Windows Live ID can close a Hotmail account
• Hotmail type accounts are of the form – Hotmail.com, Live.com, Msn.com and other country specific derivatives of  the same or similar domain (e.g. Hotmail.ca, Live.nl, Msn.co.uk etc.) Note: The terms ‘Hotmail account’ and ‘Hotmail type account’ are used interchangeably in this article (they are one and the same)
• Account closure occurs in stages (closure request, message removal from the Hotmail server, refusal of incoming mail to the Hotmail server, and eventual/final closure ‘after’ 270 days of inactivity/use of the account)
• Closing a Hotmail type account does not close a Windows Live ID account. The Windows Live ID account will be deleted after 365 days of inactivity.
• The method shown below in the How To: is not applicable for 3rd party email addresses registered as a Live ID
• The method shown below in the How To: is not applicable to subscription based accounts (Hotmail Plus or MSN Premium/Premier) until the account is cancelled and converted to a free Hotmail type account (contact Customer Service to cancel the subscription and convert the account to a free Hotmail type account).

How To:

1. To Close a Hotmail type account access the ‘Close Your Account’ tool  by first signing-in using the account’s Windows Live ID username and password (see below picture).

The url address for the ‘Close Your Account’ tool is:

http://mail.live.com/mail/CloseAccountConfirmation.aspx?

2. After ‘Sign in’ click the ‘Close your Account’ option

• Note the 270 day required inactivity (subsequent use of the Hotmail account will cancel the closure request and reactivate the account)

3.  Once the account closure request is processed, the user will receive the following prompt

4. Thereafter Do Not Use the Account  for 270 days since use of the account will reactivate the Hotmail type account, nullify the original closure request and require the valid account holder to repeat the entire account closure process.

Comments:

• The Windows Live ID associated with the Hotmail account will not be closed after 270 days of account inactivity
• The Windows Live ID associated with a Hotmail account will only be deleted after 365 days of inactivity from the date of a valid account closure request. (After 365 days the Live ID username may be available for your or another’s use.  Fyi - the term ‘may be available’ should not be interpreted in the absolute sense).
• The ’Close Your Account’ dialog box mentions that a  Hotmail email address may be available for reuse after 270 days of inactivity. Since it takes 365 days (or even longer) for a Live ID (also your email address) to be deleted it would seem doubtful that ‘available for reuse’ has any practical meaning until at least 365 days of inactivity.

Supplemental Information:  (What Not To Do)

(Note: editor/winston) This section ‘Supplemental Information: What Not To Do’ was included for one primary reason. Searching the internet (Google, Bing, etc) yields a variety of articles with directions explaining ‘How to close a hotmail account’ – while some are valid,  too many have not been updated with current data (270 day inactivity requirement – some reference 120 days; pointing to the Live ID account information page – reason explained below; not differentiating or explaining the difference between a Hotmail account, Live ID account and/or 3rd party Live ID accounts)

• Do not use the ‘Close your account’ option available on the bottom of the Live ID Account information page (https://account.live.com)  to close a Hotmail type account.  This option can be used for closing a third party email address registered as a Live ID, i.e. no Hotmail account/Inbox – e.g. yahoo.com, gmail.com, your-isp.com or similar email addresses which can be registered as a Live ID)

a. Attempting to use the Live ID Account information  ‘Close your account’ option for a Hotmail account will yield the following page/prompt (as promising as the notice may appear to be, for a Hotmail account, it will not work)

b. Subsequent entry of an active Hotmail Windows Live ID and clicking ‘Yes’ generates the following page/prompt [Cannot close] for a Hotmail type account.

Reference Material:

• Windows Live Solution Center – Close Your Hotmail Account  (limited explanation/content - but it will direct one to the ‘Close Your Account’ link provided in step 1 of the How To: section of this article/blog entry.

Revisions:

May 21, 2011: Original Draft Date

May 23, 2011: Original Published Date

Windows Live Mail – Contacts Database

Summary: 

• A technical overview of  Windows Live Mail Contacts database two different modes of operation(without and with the use of a Live ID) and each mode’s respective database filename/local storage location(s)

Background:

§  Windows Live Mail(WLM) provides two modes of operation

a)     Default   [Offline]           –    no sign-in to Windows Live

b)    Live ID   [Online]            –    sign-in to Windows Live

§  WLM only operates in one mode (a) or (b) at a time

§  Each mode (a) or (b) has its own contacts when viewed in WLM

§  Each Live ID used to sign-in for mode(b) has its own contacts when viewed in WLM

§  Each mode (a) or (b) has a unique(independent) contacts database

§  Each Live ID used to sign-in for mode (b) has a unique(independent) contacts database

§  Contacts and Contact databases are not shared across modes or Live ID’s

§  Contacts database(s) are stored on the hard drive within the user’s Windows profile

Database Name and Location:

§  The Contact database(which holds the entire contact list) filename is ‘contacts.edb’’

§  Each mode (a) or (b) will have a unique(independent) contacts.edb file (same name, different location)

§  Each Live ID used in mode (b) will have a unique(independent) contacts.edb file

Default(Offline) – Mode (a)

§  The Default(Offline) Contact database file(contacts.edb) is stored in a hidden subfolder called DBStore. *** To view the DBStore folder –> configure Windows Explorer to ‘Show hidden files/folders and protected operating system files’

§  Full folder pathname for the Default(Offline) contact database for WLM version 2011 and 2009 are shown below for the respective Windows operating system(o/s)

 Windows Live Mail 2011  (pre QFE3 versions) – Windows 7 or Vista

 Path –> C:\Users\<windows username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live\Contacts\default\15.4\DBStore

Click Here —> To see a Windows Explorer view  of WLM 2011 Pre QFE3 Default Database Folders

Windows Live Mail 2011  (QFE3 version) - Windows 7 or Vista

 Path –> C:\Users\<windows username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live\Contacts\default\15.5\DBStore

Note: The ‘Default’ DBStore folder  is a hidden subfolder of the ’15.5′ folder

Click Here —> To see a Windows Explorer view of the WLM 2011 QFE3 Database Folders

Windows Live Mail 2009 (see notes below)

·         Windows 7 or Vista

Ø C:\Users\<windows username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts\{0a1c1d7e-4a67-4693-bd70-1ba1490ddac8}\DBStore

·         Windows XP

Ø C:\Documents and Settings\<windows username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts\{0a1c1d7e-4a67-4693-bd70-1ba1490ddac8}\DBStore

Notes: (only applicable to WLM 2009)

ü  The numerical 16-digit hexadecimal number ( GUI {0a1c1d7e…) shown(above) for WLM 2009 is randomly generated by WLM and will be different on each pc/operating system.

ü  To determine the numerical name assigned to  the Default(Offline) mode contact database folder in WLM 2009 one must reference the following registry key’s ‘Name’ and ‘Data’ fields values.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts\Database

ü  The Name field in the above registry key ‘indicates’ the pathname of ‘Default’ root folder. The pathname shown when viewed in the registry is a ‘slight misdirection’ (but fully understood by the Windows operating system)

-The registry key ‘Name’ value will show:

Windows 7 or Vista:

 C:\Users\<windows username>\Contacts\Default
XP:

 C:\Documents and Settings\<windows username>\Contacts\Default

-Though the Default(Offline) folder is actually one subfolder below the following:

Windows7 or Vista:

  C:\Users\<windows username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts

XP:

 C:\Documents and Settings\<windows username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts

ü  The registry key ‘Data’ value completes the pathname by showing the subfolder value(i.e. the numerical 16-digit hexadecimal number) that contains the Default(Offline) DBStore folder and its respective contacts.edb file.

Live ID (Online) – Mode (b)

§  The Live ID(Online) Contact database file(contacts.edb) is also stored in a hidden subfolder called DBStore.

§  Each Live ID’s Contacts folder in WLM 2011(unlike WLM 2009) uses the Live ID email address(e.g. ab_normal@live.com)  thus WLM 2011’s approach improves upon WLM 2009’s method by not requiring the registry key or use of a numerical hexadecimal named folder thus making the folder much easier to find in Windows Explorer

§  Full folder pathnames for a Live ID(Online) contact database for WLM version 2011 and 2009 are shown below for the respective Windows operating system(o/s)

Windows Live Mail 2011  (pre QFE3 versions) – Windows 7 or Vista

 Path –> C:\Users\<windows username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live\Contacts\<Live ID>\15.4\DBStore 

Windows Live Mail 2011 (QFE3 version) – Windows 7 or Vista

Path –> C:\Users\<windows username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live\Contacts\default\15.5\DBStore

 

Windows Live Mail 2009 (see notes below)

       Widows 7 or Vista

Ø C:\Users\<windows username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts\{85a1e249-964b-475e-82d7-e80ea374a6ad}\DBStore

Windows XP

Ø C:\Documents and Settings\<windows username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts\{85a1e249-964b-475e-82d7-e80ea374a6ad }\DBStore

Notes: (only applicable to WLM 2009)

ü  WLM 2009 Live ID(Online Mode) like WLM 2009 Default(Offline) mode(as shown above) continues to employ the use of a randomly generated numerical 16-digit hexadecimal number for the Live ID folder name with one additional twist. It creates two(2) numerical folders for each Live ID. One for the primary database and one(shadow) database, the latter for synchronization with the web UI and Windows Live Messenger. 

     The numerical names of these folders will also be different on each pc/operating system.

ü  To determine the exact numerical name assigned to the Live ID(Online) mode contact folder in  WLM 2009 one must reference the following registry key’s ‘Name’ and ‘Data’ fields values.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts\Database

ü  The Name field in the above registry key will indicate the pathname of ‘both the primary and shadow’ root folder. The pathname shown when viewed in the registry is, once again, a ‘slight misdirection’(but fully understood by the Windows o/s)

-The registry key ‘Name’ values will show:

Windows 7 or Vista:

 C:\Users\<windows username>\Contacts\<Live ID> and

C:\Users\<windows username>\Contacts\<Live ID>\shadow
XP: (pic shown below)

 C:\Documents and Settings\<windows username>\Contacts\<Live ID>

C”\Documents and Settings\<windows username>\Contacts\<Live ID>\shadow

-Though the Live ID(Online)folder is actually on subfolder below the following:

Windows7 or Vista:

  C:\Users\<windows username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts

XP:

 C:\Documents and Settings\<windows username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts

ü  The registry key ‘Data’ value(s) completes the pathname by indicating the assigned hexadecimal number for the primary and shadow subfolders applicable to a respective Live ID(Online) mode DBStore folder and unique contacts.edb file(s)

Comments:

• Use of the Default(Offline) mode ensures all contacts are only stored locally and not synchronized(or stored) on the web(i.e. on “The Cloud’) at Contacts.live.com
• Use of the Live ID(Online mode) ensures contacts are stored both locally and on the Live servers(in the ‘Cloud) and always backed up and accessible on any pc by signing on with the respective Live ID at Contacts.live.com
• If the Live ID is also a Hotmail type account(Live.com, Hotmail.com, Msn.com or other country specific derivatives of the same domain e.g. Live.cn, Hotmail.uk, Live.ne, Msn.ca) then those same Live ID contacts will be accessible for use in the Hotmail email web interface(mail.live.com or hotmail.com)
• Use of the Live ID(Online) mode in WLM also enables WLM’s ‘Cleanup’ option by linking to the web UI for cleaning up duplicate contacts
• Use of additional Live ID’s(signing on with a different Live to Windows Live) allows one to have multiple contacts lists for different objectives(friends, family, work, hobbies, etc.)
• If you read this far(and to appease the parenthetical police and purists) do not confuse working Offline(disconnected from the internet) or Online(connected to the internet) with WLM’s two different Contacts’ modes(Default/Offline[No Live ID sign-in] or Live ID/Online[Live ID sign-in]). If you’re not using a Live ID to sign-in to Windows Live, your contacts are stored and only available Offline (from Windows Live Services)!

Revisions:

Feb 04, 2011: Original Published Date

Feb 05, 2011: Edited for increased clarity and to appease the parenthetical gramma policemen comments 

April 12, 2011: Updated to reflect Contact folder name (15.5) for Windows Live Mail 2011 QFE3

Windows Live Mail Contacts – Operating Modes

 

Summary:

  An explanation of the two different types of Contact operating modes in Windows Live Mail
  The two different modes are  Default (Offline)  or Live ID (Online)

Operating Modes:

• Default (Offline) mode

1. No Live ID sign on
2. The Default contact database is locally and solely stored on the user’s machine
3. Contacts are only accessible in Windows Live Mail (WLM)
4. No synchronization with web interface
5. Accessible by configuring WLM to ‘Stop Signing In’

    Version 2011 – WLM Button/Options/Mail/<Connection tab>/<Stop signing in>

Optional Keyboard method – Alt F O M <Connection tab>/Stop signing in>

 - use keystroke Control+Tab to navigate to the Connection tab

    Version 2009 – WLM Menu/Tools/Options/<Connection tab>/<Stop signing in>

• To ensure operation in the ‘Default/Offline mode’ use the ‘Stop signing in’ option and  thereafter when opening WLM (if prompted to sign on) click ‘Cancel’

 

• Live ID (Online) mode

1. Live ID sign on to Windows Live (is required)
2. Live ID Contact database is stored locally and also online (Contacts.live.com)
3. Accessible in WLM and the web interface (Contacts.live.com); IM (Instant Message) contacts are also accessible in Windows Live Messenger (WLMsgr)
4. Database synchronization occurs between WLM and the web interface
5. Synchronization is in both directions(changes made in WLM or online impact the other)
6. Accessible by configuring WLM to ‘Sign in’  to Windows Live

     Version 2011 – WLM Button/Options/Mail/<Connection tab>/<Sign in>
     Version 2009 – WLM Menu/Tools/Options/<Connection tab>/<Sign in>

• Contacts are unique to a given Live ID used to sign on to Windows Live in WLM
• Use of a different Live ID to sign on to Windows Live affords the opportunity for a different set of contacts (thus one can switch to a different set of contacts by signing on with a different Live ID)

   

 

Comments:

• Locally stored contact databases and contacts are accessible by WLM but not Windows Explorer
• ‘Sign on’ is to Windows Live, (i.e. one does not sign on to WLM, it only provides the ability to sign on)
• ‘Sign on’ is not required to send or receive mail in WLM for email accounts using Pop3, IMAP, or Http protocol
• ‘Sign on’ is not required to send or receive for Hotmail type accounts (Hotmail.com, Live.com, or Msn.com)
• ‘Sign on’ does ensure your contacts are always accessible and backed up(online)
•  Do not confuse working Offline (disconnected from the internet) or Online (connected to the internet) with WLM’s two different Contacts’ modes
  • Default/Offline [No Live ID sign-in]
  • Live ID/Online [Live ID sign-in to Windows Live]
    • If  not using a Live ID to sign-in to Windows Live, your contacts are stored and only available Offline!

    

• For a technical overview of  WLM’s Contacts database see –> Windows Live Mail – Contacts Database

Known Issues:

• WLM’s ‘Backup’ option is only capable of exporting or importing one email address field per contact of the four available email address data fields (Personal, Other, Work, IM) when exporting to/importing from a CSV (Comma Separated Value) file thus use of the Live ID (Online mode) is recommended  to ensure all email fields’ data is retained (stored on the Live servers)
• WLM’s ‘Backup’ option does not export or import Categories (formerly called Groups in prior Microsoft email clients). Use of the Live ID (Online mode) is recommended to ensure Category data is retained (stored on the Live servers)

 

Revisions:
Dec 27, 2010: Original Draft Date
Jan 30, 2011: Orginal Published Date
Feb 10, 2011: Added link to Windows Live Mail - Contacts Database

Windows Live Downloads

This article has been superseded by a later article (March 20, 2012)

Click Here –> Windows Live Downloads – Version 2 for updated information.

Summary:

• Links to download the current version of the Windows Live Essentials 2011 applications/programs
• Links to download  the  prior  version of  the Windows Live Essentials 2009 applications/programs
• Links to download earlier versions (Windows Live Essentials 2008) are no longer available from Microsoft

Links:

• Windows Live Essentials 2011  (for Windows 7, Vista SP2, and Windows Server 2008 Sp2 R2)

Direct download to Microsoft server for the installer executable file
Full Version Installer  – English Language version
http://g.live.com/1rewlive4-all/en/wlsetup-all.exe
Web Version Installer – English Language Version
http://g.live.com/1rewlive4-web/en/wlsetup-web.exe

Note: Direct download links above are for the English language installer. For a different country replace the ‘en’ with the local language code.

Microsoft Windows Live Web Site (web  version installer)
   http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials
Microsoft Windows Live Worldwide Downloads(web version installer)
http://explore.live.com/worldwide-downloads

Microsoft Download Center(web version installer)
   http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=59fbc955-a9cc-4fb1-84dc-db88e9882ed3

System Requirements (2011 version)  – suggested reading
http://explore.live.com/windows-live-2011-system-requirements
Note: Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 require the respective o/s Platform Update

• Windows Live Essentials 2009  (for XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008)

Direct download to Microsoft server for the installer executable file
Full Version Installer English Language version
http://g.live.com/1rewlive3/en/wlsetup-all.exe
Web Version Installer – English Language Version
http://g.live.com/1rewlive3/en/wlsetup-web.exe

Note: Direct download links above are for the English language installer. For a different country replace the ‘en’ with the local language code.

 Microsoft Windows Live Web Site links(web version installer)
    http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials-xp

Microsoft Download Center(web version installer)
    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=00ed0c6b-152f-49eb-88c8-278267802f57

 System Requirements (2009 Version)  – suggested reading
http://explore.live.com/windows-live-system-requirements

Comments:

• Windows Live Essentials 2011 (Wave 4)

1. Initial Version RTW released Sept 30, 2010

- Build Number 15.4.3502.0922

- c.f. Windows Live Essentials 2011 available for download)

2. QFE1 Version RTW released Dec 1, 2010

- Build Number 15.4.3508.1109 ( Windows Live Mesh & Family Safety not updated)

- no GUI changes, no official notice available on Windows Live Team site

• Windows Live Essentials 2009 (Wave 3)

1. Last/Final version (QFE3) was released May 12, 2010   (c.f. WLE 2009 Version Build Numbers)

2. QFE3 is the last planned update for Windows Live Essentials 2009 (Wave 3)

3. Last version to support Windows XP

4. Support for the 2009 version will continue for the ‘foreseeable future’

5. The ‘foreseeable future’ does not mean ‘in perpetuity’; XPSp3 Extended Support ends Apr. 2014

6. The ‘foreseeable future’ may not mean until the end of XPSp3 Extended Support(i.e. Plan ahead)

Revisions:

Jan 7, 2009: Original Publish Date

Aug 15, 2009: Added link for 2009 Web Version installers available on Microsoft Download

Mar 12, 2010:  Updated to clarify discontinued availability of Windows Live Essentials 2008 versions

Sept 30, 2010: Added links for 2011 RTW Full and Web version installers (draft version)

Oct 31, 2010: Added System Requirements links for 2011 and 2009 versions(draft version)

Dec 22, 2010: Added Comments for Version(s) 2011 and 2009; Republished

March 20, 2012: Added comment regarding supercession by later blog article

Windows Live Hotmail – Email Forwarding

Summary:

• Windows Live Hotmail now provides the ability to forward messages from a Hotmail type account to one other email address
• Forwarding is possible to another Hotmail type account(email address) or a third party email address
• Hotmail type accounts are of the form Hotmail.com, Live.com, Msn.com etc.(This also includes other country specific derivatives of the same domain(e.g. Hotmail.nl, Live.de, Msn.uk.co)
• Forwarding is capable from Hotmail, Hotmail Plus, and MSN Premium(primary and subaccounts)
• Hotmail account holders now have the option to retain a copy of forwarded messages in the Hotmail account’s inbox

Reference:

1. Windows Live Solution Center – Sending and Receiving Mail

  Thread Title: ‘forwarding my emails from my hotmail account to another email’

2. ‘Live Views’ – by vasudev Windows Live MVP

  Post Title: ‘Forward messages in the New Hotmail to any mail account now available to all – Restrictions removed’

 

Instructions:

•   1. Sign-in to http://mail.live.com to access your account.
•   2. In the upper-right corner of the Windows Live Hotmail home page click Options, then More options on the drop down menu.

•   3. Under ‘Managing your account’, click ‘Email Forwarding’ to access the forwarding options to add another e-mail account.  One can forward mail to **one** other email account.

•   4. Click the radio option ‘Forward your mail to another email account’
•   5. Enter the email address where messages should be forwarded in the dialog box titled ‘Where do your want your messages to be sent?
•   6. To retain a copy of forwarded messages in your Hotmail Inbox check the item ‘Keep a copy of forwarded messages in your Windows Live Hotmail inbox’.
•   7. Click Save

 

Comments:

• This feature (Hotmail Forwarding) did not receive much publicity from Microsoft or the Windows Live Team. Quite a few internet search engines continue to primarily yield articles stating a Hotmail Plus account is required which (as the July 2010) is no longer correct.
• Support for Windows Live Hotmail can be obtained  in the Windows Live Solution Center
• Questions regarding Hotmail ‘Forwarding’ should be posted in the Sending and Receiving Mail Forum

 

Revisions:

Aug 15, 2010: Draft Version  – which sat in abnormal obscurity in the ‘assumption laboratory’ for too long

Dec 8, 2010 : Original Publish Date  ( Enjoy! <vbg> )

Windows Live Mail 2011 – Options Menu

Summary:

• Snapshots of  Windows Live Mail 2011′s ‘Options’ menu and submenus
• The ‘Options’ menu on the Windows Live Mail Button contains the following submenus
  • Mail (Configuration settings for the program)
  • @E-mail Accounts (Add, Remove, Properties, Set Default, Import, Export for both Mail and News accounts)
  • Newsgroups (Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Reset newsgroups lists)
  • Feeds (Add, Edit, Delete)
  • Safety Options (Configuration for Junk Filter, Safe/Block Senders, Phishing, Security)
• The ‘Options’ menu and submenus are accessible by mouse or keystroke commands(below)

Windows Live Mail Button Options Menu:

• Program configuration and setup
  • Keystroke access –> ALT F  O

• Mail Submenu:
  • Primary menu for configuration of the program’s functionality
  • Individual tabs are present and contain feature specific settings
  • ‘Advanced’ tab contains ‘Maintenance and Troubleshooting’ tools
  • Keystroke access –> ALT F  O  M

• @ E-mail Accounts Submenu:
  • Applicable to both Mail and News accounts
  • Location to Add, Remove, Edit account(s) properties; Set Default email and news server accounts; Import and Export email and news accounts(*.iaf filetype)
    • Note: Removal of a Pop3 email account deletes the email account and all messages from Windows Live Mail and the user’s hard drive! (i.e. Back-up/Export/Archive before removal of a Pop3 email account)
  • Keystroke access –> ALT F  O  E

• Newsgroups Submenu:
  • Subscribe or Unsubscribe to newsgroups on a news server account
  • Reset List of newsgroups on news server account
  • Keystroke access –> ALT F  O  N

• Feeds Submenu:
  • Manage RSS Feeds
  • Add, Edit,  and Delete RSS Feeds
  • Create new folders for additional feed managment
  • Keystroke Access –> ALT F  O  F

• Safety Options Submenu:
  • Junk Mail Filter settings
  • Add/Edit/Remove Safe Senders email addresses and domains
  • Add/Edit/Remove Blocked Senders email addresses and domains
  • International – Block Top-Level Domain and Encoding
  • Protect Inbox from potential Phishing links and move phishing email for POP/IMAP accounts to the Junk email folder
  • Security – Select security zone(Internet/Restricted), Block Images in HTML email, and configure Secure Mail(Digital IDs)
  • Trust Center (Microsoft Privacy and Service agreements)
  • Keystroke access –> ALT F  O  S

Revisions:

Sept 27, 2010: Original Publish Date (duplicate post on Windows Live Mail 2011 Ribbon GUI)

Dec 5, 2010: Revised Title to Windows Live Mail 2011 – Options Menu

Dec 6, 2010: Revised Content to show Windows Live Mail 2011 ‘Options’ Menu and Submenus

Jan 6. 2012: Updated tags

May 31, 2012: Revised note on Pop3 account removal for better clarity

Windows Live Spaces Blog Migration to WordPress V2

 

Summary:

• This is the second article regarding the upcoming closure of Windows Live Spaces and the mandatory upgrade-migration to Word Press
• Microsoft notified Windows Live Spaces customers via email on November 12, 2010 (copy included below)
• Upgrade-Migration is mandatory and can be accomplished but only until March 2011
• Effective January 4, 2011 a Windows Live Spaces blog will become ‘Read Only’ (accessible and viewable but no further changes permitted)
• Effective March 16, 2011 a Windows Live Spaces blog will be closed (all access discontinued)

Reference:

1. Email Notice:

<Quoted Print>

Dear Windows Live Spaces customer,

You are receiving this note as a follow-up to our communications notifying you of an upgraded experience available at WordPress.com and the March closure of your Windows Live Space. If you haven’t taken an action yet, please read on to learn how to preserve the content of your space.

As of January 4th, 2011, you won’t be able to make changes to your Windows Live Spaces blog, but you can continue to review past posts, download your content to save for later and upgrade your blog to WordPress.com. We’ll help you migrate your current blog to WordPress.com or download it to save for later. On March 16th, 2011 your current space will be closed.

With the new release of Windows Live services, we’ve made a series of changes and improvements across our products. We chose to partner to provide Windows Live users with a great blogging solution. However, we realize the changes will have an impact on you – this email aims to address any concerns you may have.

Why is this happening?

Our customers have asked for richer blog functionality including an integrated statistics system, continuous saving of drafts and improvements to spam-fighting technology. To deliver the best possible blogging experience, we are collaborating with WordPress.com to provide their free service to you. For those of you that already have a blog on Windows Live Spaces, we will make it easier for you to get started while helping you keep what you’ve already built up on Windows Live Spaces.

What is the timeline?

As of January 4th, 2011, you won’t be able to make changes to your Spaces blog, but you can continue to review past posts, download your content to save for later and upgrade your blog to WordPress.com.
On March 16th, 2011 Windows Live Spaces will close and you will not be able to access or migrate your blog.

What you need to do before Windows Live Spaces closes

When you visit your space you’ll have the following options:

Upgrade your blog by migrating to WordPress.com – We will provide a simple way to move your blog posts and comments to WordPress.com.
Download your blog – You can download your old posts to keep a copy with you. You can also do this and then migrate to WordPress.com.
Delete your space – If you decide that you do not want to have a space anymore, you have the option to delete it permanently. If you want to save your content, please make sure to do that before deleting your space.
Review your blog – Over the next couple of months, Windows Live Spaces will continue to be accessible to read and review while you make your decision. We’re very excited about what you can do on WordPress.com and hope you’ll decide to take advantage of this improved blogging experience.

Note: some content such as gadgets, guestbook, lists, notes and draft posts won’t be migrated. See FAQs for more info on how to preserve this type of content.
Go to your space to choose an option that’s right for you.

What you can expect by moving to WordPress.com

All of your posts, comments, and links will transfer, and you will have the option to share your blogging updates with your Messenger friends.

On WordPress.com, you’ll get tools to help you track how your blog is doing and who’s visiting. You’ll get tagging that enables people to find you, and for you to find like-minded people. It includes great blog comment functionality, and trackback spam prevention to help keep your experience clean. Check out more.

Thanks for using Windows Live and we hope you enjoy the new blogging experience.

Sincerely,

The Windows Live team

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is WordPress.com ?
A: WordPress.com is a free blogging site, similar to Windows Live Spaces. On WordPress.com, you’ll find great themes and widgets to customize your experience, tools to help you track how your blog is doing and who’s visiting. You’ll get tagging that enables people to find you, and for you to find like-minded people. It includes great blog comment functionality, and trackback spam prevention to help keep your experience clean.

Q: What happens to my Windows Live Spaces content and what can I migrate?
A: Here’s a list of different functionality available on Windows Live Spaces today and what you can expect:

Blogs and comments: If you choose to migrate or download, your blog content (including inserted photos, videos and comments) comes with you.
Photos: Photos not part of your blog but part of Windows Live will continue to live on SkyDrive and, if you choose, you can continue to share them with others. Photos that were part of your blog will be migrated if you choose to migrate your blog. If you add any other modules provided by other services that shared your photos, those will not be migrated.
Visitors will know where to find you: If you migrate, existing links to your blog and specific articles will continue to work and your visitors will be redirected to your new location on WordPress.com. You’ll also be able to keep your friends up to date with your latest posts on Windows Live Messenger.
Private blogs: If you have a private blog, your blog will be checked as private unless you choose another option during migration. You’ll be able to share your blog back with your Windows Live Messenger friends or just choose to select a few people to invite to WordPress.com.
Gadgets, guestbook, lists, notes, and draft posts: Unfortunately, you won’t be able to move these. You might consider publishing your draft posts over the coming months and moving content in lists and notes into your blog before migrating.
Profile and Contacts modules: That information stays on Windows Live. You can add your new blog to your Profile and share it with your friends.

Q: What can I expect between now and the date Windows Live Spaces closes?
A: As of January 4th, 2011, you will lose the ability to make changes to your Windows Live Spaces blog, but you can continue to review past posts, download your content to save for later and upgrade your blog to WordPress.com. On March 16th, 2011, Spaces will close and you will not be able to access or migrate your blog.

Q: Where can I learn more?
A: Are you a parent of a child who uses Windows Live Spaces? Do you have a private blog? Do you use Writer to publish to Windows Live Spaces? Do you have other questions? Please visit our Help Center for additional information and resources.

Microsoft respects your privacy. To learn more, please read our online Privacy Statement.

Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond WA 98052

<End Quoted Print>

2. Additional Information (clickable links)

• Windows Live Team Blog – Inside Windows Live

 WordPress.com and Windows Live partnering together and providing an upgrade for 30 million Windows Live Spaces customers

• Windows Live Spaces Help Center

Changes are coming to Windows Live Spaces

• WordPress.com Support Center

Upgrading from Windows Live Spaces

How to Upgrade

Help and Tips for Windows Live Spaces Bloggers: Modules, Albums, Widgets, and Lists

Word Press Features and Overview

• Windows Live Solution Center – Live Spaces Portal

Downloading and Migrating your Space

• Initial Article by this writer regarding Windows Live Spaces planned closure

Windows Live Spaces Blog Upgrade-Migration to WordPress

 

Revisions.

September 27, 2010: Original Published Date
November 19, 2010:  Content revised and updated to include Nov 12 2010 email notification

 

Clubhouse Tags: Clubhouse, How-To, Help, Windows Live, Live ID, Spaces, SkyDrive, Photos

Creating Nested Folders(Subfolders) in Windows Live Hotmail

 

Summary:

• Nested Folders(Subfolders), folders inside of folders, are available for all Windows Live Hotmail type accounts
• Windows Live Hotmail ‘type accounts’ are accounts of the form Hotmail.com, Live.com, Msn.com and other country specific derivatives of the same domains(e.g.– Hotmail.co.uk, Hotmail.de, Live.nl, Live.fr, Msn.ca, etc.)
• Nested Folders(Subfolders) can be created for Hotmail type accounts in the Hotmail web interface
• Nested Folders(Subfolders) can be created for Hotmail type accounts in Windows Live Mail
• Nested Folders(Subfolders) can be created inside of any folder(new or existing folders/subfolders including the Deleted folder) in the Hotmail web interface ( http://mail.live.com or http://hotmail.com )
• Nested Folders(Subfolders) can be created inside of any folder(new or existing folders/subfolders except the root Deleted Items folder) in Windows Live Mail
• Nested Folders(Subfolders) for Hotmail type accounts synchronize between the Hotmail web interface and Windows Live Mail client(in either direction). Synchronization in Windows Live Mail requires the Hotmail account to be configured to use the Http/DeltaSync protocol, not Pop3).
• Nested Folders(Subfolders) can not be moved from one folder to another folder in the Hotmail web interface
• Nested Folders(Subfolders) can be moved from one folder to another folder in Windows Live Mail

Reference:

1. Inside Windows Live
     More Hotmail Updates on the way

Quoted Print:
Organize and find important email with Subfolders
If you like to use folders to organize your important emails and find them more quickly later, you have something in common with nearly 100 million other Hotmail “filers”. The new Hotmail lets you create folders inside of folders to more precisely manage your email, making it easier to quickly find an important message you’ve filed away.

2. Windows Live Solution Center
      Nested Folders (Sub folders) in Windows Live Hotmail

Quoted Print:
Customers will be able to create nested folders (sub folders) under their new/existing folders and also synchronize their sub folders that already exist in their mail clients with Hotmail web experience.

Points to remember:
• Nested folders can be created inside of any folder, including the Deleted items folder.

• When a folder is deleted, Hotmail will move all the messages in the folder and any sub folders of the folder into Deleted items and permanently delete the folders. 

• A sub folder cannot be moved from one parent folder to another parent folder

 

Instructions:

The following illustrates creation of a top level folder(Friends) and nested subfolders within the ‘Friends’ folder

•   Logon to the Hotmail web interface with a Hotmail type account Live ID
•   To create the top level folder → Click ‘New folder’   

 

•   Enter a name for the folder in the ‘Folder Name’ field (e.g. Friends) then click ‘Save’

• To create the nested folder (subfolder)  →  Click ‘New folder’, enter a ‘Folder Name’  for the nested folder(subfolder) [e.g. Alice],  then scroll and select ‘Friends’ in the ‘Create in:’ option, finally Click ‘Save’

• If desired, repeat the above steps to create additional subfolders(see below pic)

 

Hotmail type accounts in Windows Live Mail after Synchronization:

• Folders and Nested Folders(Subfolders) created in the Hotmail web interface will be mirrored in the respective Windows Live Hotmail account when setup in Windows Live Mail (Version 2011 and 2009)
• Likewise, Folders and Nested Folders(Subfolders) created in Windows Live Mail will be mirrored in the Hotmail web interface

Note: For the above to occur the Hotmail account must be setup and configured to use the Http (DeltaSync) Protocol.  Folder synchronization between the Hotmail web interface and the Hotmail account in Windows Live Mail(or vice versa) is not possible if the Hotmail account is setup/configured for the Pop3 protocol.

• Unlike the Hotmail web interface, existing folders/nested folders(subfolders) can be moved(relocated) to other folders in Windows Live Mail(2011 and 2009). To move an existing user created folder or nested folder in Windows Live Mail, select a folder and drag it to the new location.

 

 

• Side by Side Comparison (Hotmail and Windows Live Mail)

 

 

Revisions:

Sept 24, 2010: Created original draft

Nov 18, 2010: Original Publish Date

  

 

Clubhouse Tags: Clubhouse, How-To, Hotmail, Hotmail Plus, Mail, Windows Live

Windows Live Hotmail Vacation Replies Re-Enabled

 

Summary:

• Effective October 2010 the Windows Live Hotmail ‘Vacation Reply’ function was restored for Hotmail accounts
• Restoration is based on prior Hotmail usage with an established credibility in the Hotmail system(see ‘Quoted Print’ below’
• This feature was previously turned off in April 2010 to address spammers use of the feature to distribute spam
• This article supersedes a previous article dated April 9, 2010

Reference:

Windows Live Solution Center -  Hotmail Solution Notification

• Vacation reply feature is back in Hotmail

http://windowslivehelp.com/solution.aspx?solutionid=ab36f2fd-92ca-465a-9df4-10e36a57a2bc

   Quoted Print:

   <qp>

We have now fixed the problem and turned vacation replies back on. As part of the solution, though, we’re limiting it to customers who have been using Hotmail for some time and established credibility in the system.

   </qp>

Additional Information:

To set up an automatic vacation reply:
1. Sign in to the Windows Live Hotmail website at http://mail.live.com or http://hotmail.com (both links resolve to the same location)
2. In the upper-right corner of the page, click Options, and then click More options.
3. Look under ‘Managing your account’ then click ‘Sending automated vacation replies’.
4. Click ‘Send vacation replies to people who e-mail me’
5. In the provided text box, enter the message you’d like to send while away. To limit responses to your Live Contacts check the provided option ‘Only reply to your contacts’.  Once complete, click ‘Save’.

To turn off an automatic vacation reply:
6. To stop using the vacation reply, repeat above steps 1 through 3 and click ’Don’t send any vacation replies’  and then click Save.

Note: If the vacation reply feature is enabled, after logging on to your Hotmail account, a notification will be present(at the top of the Inbox)to remind the user to disable(turn off) the feature when no longer warranted.

Revisions:

October 21, 2010: Original Draft date

November 15, 2010: Original Publish date

 

Clubhouse Tags: Clubhouse, How-To, Hotmail, Hotmail Plus, Windows Live

Windows Live Spaces Blog Upgrade-Migration to WordPress

  

Summary:

Upgrade-Migration is mandatory and can accomplished until March 2011. The following timeline and constraints apply when upgrading/migrating from Spaces.Live.com to WordPress.com

• Upgrade can be accomplished from September 2010 but only until March 2011
• New Blog posts to Live Spaces can be made but only until January 2011
• Live Spaces/Blog will be ‘read only’ effective January 2011
• Spaces will close in March 2011 (i.e. a mandatory upgrade/migration)
• Other available options – Download your blog content or delete your Space
• Text, photos, videos and comments as they appear on your Space today are transferred
• Draft posts, theme, gadgets, guestbook, and lists are not transferred
• Automatic redirection(after migration) from your Space to your new blog on WordPress
• No impact on your Windows Live Profile, Contacts, and SkyDrive photos

Reference:

1. Windows Live Team Blog – Inside Windows Live

• WordPress.com and Windows Live partnering together and providing an upgrade for 30 million Windows Live Spaces customers

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_live/b/windowslive/archive/2010/09/27/wordpress-com-and-windows-live-partnering-together-and-providing-an-upgrade-for-30-million-windows-live-spaces-customers.aspx

2. WordPress.com Support Center

• Upgrading from Windows Live Spaces 

http://en.support.wordpress.com/upgrading-from-windows-live-spaces/

•  How to Upgrade

http://en.support.wordpress.com/upgrading-from-windows-live-spaces/how-to-upgrade/

Additional Detailed Information:

1. Notification upon accessing your current Live Space/Blog

2. Ongoing reminder to upgrade when accessing your Live Space

3. Additional Support

Windows Live Solution Center Spaces Portal Downloading and Migrating your Space

Comments:

• While upgrade/migrations are intended to be problem free when transferring one’s personal content from one service to another it might be a good idea to monitor the Windows Live Solution Center Spaces portal for problems reported by other users prior to upgrading/migration

 

Revisions:

September 27, 2010: Original Published Date

Windows Live Forums and Newsgroups

Windows Live Solution Center[WLSC] – (Web Forums/Solutions):

• FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions about WLSC)
      http://windowslivehelp.com/solution.aspx?solutionid=e2b2292c-2f10-4c7e-8785-e1d898ece45d

• Notes:
      1. Viewing individual Forums and/or Solutions does not require a Live ID
      2. Asking a question requires sign on with a Windows Live ID, one time account setup/creation of a unique username
      3. Live ID information is **Not** visible to the public (Do not create a username that is the same as your Live ID)

 

Windows Live Mail
    http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=15

Windows Live Messenger
    http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=2

Windows Live Movie Maker
    http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=5

Windows Live Photo Gallery
   http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=20

Windows Live Writer
   http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=9

Windows Live ID
  http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=10

Windows Live Sync
   http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=24

 

Windows Live Hotmail
   http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=1

Windows Live Calendar
   http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=16

Windows Live Spaces
   http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=7

Windows Live Profile
   http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=13

Windows Live SkyDrive
   http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=6

Windows Live Photos
   http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=19

 

 Microsoft’s Windows Live Public Newsgroups:

 Note:

• Microsoft NNTP groups shown below are all closed. They are only presented for information purposes.  Closure started in June 2010 with final completion in September 2010. The Web Interface(Http) for the same group(s) were also be impacted(no threads/posts/group) and coincided with said closure.
• For Microsoft support on Windows Live Products the Forums(provided above) are the recommended support options.

See these articles(links) for additional information:

1. Microsoft Responds to the Evolution of Communities  (Microsoft’s notice)
2. Microsoft NNTP Newsgroups Scheduled for Closure   (The writer’s Comments, Recommendations)

• Windows Live Mail  (closed)
  Nntp:
       news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windows.live.mail.desktop
  Web-interface: Http
       http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/list/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.windows.live.mail.desktop
•  Windows Live Messenger  (closed)
  Nntp:
       news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windows.live.messenger
  Web-interface: Http
       http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/list/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.windows.live.messenger
•  Windows Live Photo Gallery (closed)
  Nntp:
       news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windows.live.photogallery
  Web-interface: Http
       http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/list/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.windows.live.photogallery
• Windows Live ID  (closed)
  Nntp:
       news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windows.live.liveid.general
  Web-interface: Http
       http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/list/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.windows.live.liveid.general
• Windows Live Sync (closed)
  Nntp:
       news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windows.live.sync
  Web-interface: Http
       http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/list/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.windows.live.sync

 

Revisions:

Dec 07, 2007: Original Published Date
April 10, 2010: Additional content(added WLSC links); Original blog entry intact for archive/search engine purposes
May 12, 2010: Updated to reflect notification and planned closure of the Newsgroups
Sept 10, 2010: Updated to reflect recent closure of all Microsoft Windows Live Nntp/Http newsgroups and replacement with Forums on the Windows Live Solution Center

 

Clubhouse Tags: Clubhouse, How-To, Help, Windows Live, Mail, Newsgroups, Forums, Messenger, PhotoGallery , Movie Maker, Writer, Live , Live Sync, Hotmail, Calendar, Spaces, Profile, SkyDrive, Photos

Microsoft NNTP Newsgroups Scheduled for Closure

Summary:

• Microsoft will close NNTP Newsgroups in multiple phases with the complete closure expected by the Fall of 2010
• Microsoft has already begun to post notifications in impacted newsgroups

 

Reference:

• Microsoft Responds to the Evolution of Communities

http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/default.mspx

Additional Information:

• Nttp users will <apparently> be directed to an existing forum (i.e. as best possible and if applicable; a one-to-one relationship may not exist)

“Newsgroup users will be directed to the equivalent forum in the following location for further participation in Microsoft’s online communities.”

http://www.microsoft.com/communities/forums/default.mspx

• Note: Windows Live NTTP newsgroup participants should consider going to the Windows Live Solution Center for support of all Windows Live Essential applications(Mail, Messenger, Photo Gallery, Writer, etc)  and Windows Live services(Live ID, Hotmail, Account, Contact, Calendar etc)

1. Windows Live Solution Center   ——>>  http://windowslivehelp.com
2. FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions about WLSC)
   http://windowslivehelp.com/solution.aspx?solutionid=e2b2292c-2f10-4c7e-8785-e1d898ece45d

• Note:  Optionally, the Annex Cafe  provides a wide variety of moderated nttp forums (free of charge, registration required) including the following newsgroups for Windows Live Mail and Computer Help (all topics)

1. Windows Live Mail

2. Computing and Tech Talk (User2User)

•  See the AnnexCafe Terms of Service (TOS) for specific details on its community guidelines and use

Revisions:

May 12, 2010: Original Publish Date

Jan 28, 2012: Added information on Annex Cafe community and Nntp newsgroup options; Updated Tags

Windows Live Hotmail’s Vacation Replies Option Shut Off

Note:  This article has been superseded by a later article dated November 15, 2010.

  Windows Live Hotmail Vacation Replies Re-Enabled
  http://liveunplugged.wordpress.com/2010/11/15/windows-live-hotmail-vacation-replies-re-enabled/

Summary:

• Effective April 8th, 2010 the Windows Live Hotmail vacation reply function
  was shut off due to use of the feature as a mechanism to distribute spam

Reference:

Windows Team Blog  Entry – April 8th, 2010 @ 6:35 P.M. PST
Compliments of Krish Vitaldevara  – Lead Program Manager, Windows Live Hotmail

Additional Information:

Turning off vacation replies to fight spam in Hotmail

 http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowslive/archive/2010/04/08/turning-off-vacation-replies-to-fight-spam-in-hotmail.aspx

Quoted Print:

<qp>

In our fight against spam, we sometimes have to make hard choices, and we had to make one this week. We discovered that spammers were using Hotmail’s automatic vacation reply feature to send spam from their Hotmail accounts.We decided to temporarily shut off the feature in order to shut down the spam. Of course, we know some of you like and use automatic  vacation replies to let people know when you can’t respond to e-mail for a while, and we’ll turn this feature back on as soon as we’ve worked out the best way to prevent it from being misused by spammers.I apologize to all of you who use this feature for any inconvenience we’ve caused.

Krish Vitaldevara
Lead Program Manager, Windows Live Hotmail

</qp>

Revisions:

April 9th, 2010: Original Publish Date

Nov 15, 2010: Added note to inform of supersedence by a later article 

 

Clubhouse Tags: Clubhouse, How-To, Hotmail, Hotmail Plus, Windows Live

Windows Live Essentials Availability

Summary:

1. Windows Live Essentials Version 2009 programs

• Mail
• Messenger
• Photo Gallery
• Writer
• Movie Maker (only availale on Vista or Windows 7)
• Family Safety
• Toolbar

2. Optional Programs

• Office Outlook Connector(version 12.1)
• Office Outlook Hotmail Connector beta(version 14 – use with 32bit and 64bit Office Outlook 2010 beta)
• Office Live Add-in
• Microsoft Silverlight

3.  Links for the Release Notes, System Requirements, English Language Full and Web Installer version(s)and comments/suggestions.

Links:

Release Notes  (recommended reading)

• http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials-release-notes

System Requirements (recommended reading)

• http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials-system-requirements

Full Version Installer (my preference) – English Language version

• http://g.live.com/1rewlive3/en/wlsetup-all.exe

Web Version Installer– English Language Version

• http://g.live.com/1rewlive3/en/wlsetup-web.exe

Note: To obtain the installer in another language(ensure you copy the above link, paste in your browser address bar, and then replace the ‘en’ specifier with your specific language code

Comments/Suggestions:

1. Read the Release Notes

2. Ensure your system meets the System requirements

3. Always Backup your mail, contacts and account settings before installing new/updated software

• How to Backup Windows Live Mail Accounts, Contacts and Messages

4.  ***Use*** the Full Version installer(my preference, yours may differ)

Revision:

Dec 15, 2008: Original Published Date

Jan 10, 2009:  Beta term removed from title(full release versions as of Jan 7, 2009); Movie Maker still a beta

Feb 15, 2009:  Revised due to update to Live Essential programs and new build numbers released on Feb 12, 2009

July 20, 2009: Corrections for typo and punctuation

Sept 1, 2009:  Updated for Windows Live Movie Maker public availability on Aug 18, 2009

March 12, 2010:  Added Outlook Hotmail Connector beta version 14 (recommended for use with Outlook 2010)

Jan 28, 2012: Updated links, content and tags

Hotmail and MSN Accounts POP3/SMTP Access

 

Summary:

• Pop3/Smtp configurations settings for Windows Live Mail, Outlook 2003/2007/2010, iPhone, iPod Touch, Vista’s Windows Mail, Outlook Express and third party email clients
• Applicable to Hotmail account types Hotmail.com, Msn.com Live.com, and Outlook.com

Accounts Qualifying/Known to Function:

•  MSN Legacy Pop3(msn.com) Primary Accounts/SubAccounts – Dialup or Bring Your Own ISP(as of 1997)
• Windows Live HotMail Plus  – effective Sept 21, 2007
• All Free Hotmail accounts (e.g. located in the United States, Brazil, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Japan, Spain, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Worldwide – staged rollout  Jan through Mar 2009)
• Qwest MSN Premium Accounts (reported by Qwest subscribers in the MSN Newsgroup)
• MSN Premium Accounts(Dial Up, DSL, and BYO ISP) including Sub-Accounts of an MSN Premium primary account
• All Outlook.com accounts

Configuration Settings:

• Incoming Server = pop3.live.com
  -Port 995
  -Encryption/Authentication = SSL is required
  -Full Username = username@xxxx.com (same as full email address, where xxxx.com = live.com, msn.com or hotmail.com )
  -Password is required
  -SPA(secure password authorization) = Off(uncheck this option)
• Outgoing Server = smtp.live.com
  -Port 25 or 587 [Note: Preferred Outgoing is Port 587 instead of Port 25 since many ISP’s blocks Port 25 usage. Similar blocking can occur when using Port 25 in hotels or accessing via a WiFi network/hotspot]
  -Outgoing Server Authentication = On(check the option)-Encryption/Authentication = SSL or TLS
  * Choose SSL for Windows Live Mail, Outlook 2003, iPhone, iPod Touch, Outlook Express and Vista’s Windows Mail
  * Choose TLS/Auto for Outlook 2007/2010 (required)
  -Full Username = username@xxxx.com (same as full email address)
  - unless outgoing server is configured to use same incoming server option
  -Password is required
  - unless outgoing server is configured to use same incoming server option

-> Note: Windows Mail or Outlook may interpret entry of a Hotmail email address(Hotmail.com, Live.com, Msn.com or Outlook.com)
as an attempt to setup an Http(not Pop3) account.
- If so, enter a false email address e.g. mailhot.com and continue to setup the account.
Once the account is setup, edit the account and correct the email address and username

Pop3/Stmp Access Capability Unknown – due to insufficient information:

1. Subscription Based:
   - Msn DSL Partner Accounts(Verizon, Bell) - contact your MSN Partner

Comments for Hotmail accounts(Hotmail.com, Live.com, Msn.com, Outlook.com):

• Pop3 retrieval by design removes messages from the online web user interface’s Inbox. To retain a copy in the online Inbox ensure the email client is configured to leave a copy of the message on the server.
• For Pop3 retrieval, if the local email client is not configured to leave the message on the server, the server will place the original copy of the email in the online Deleted folder.
• The Deleted folder automatically purges messages from the server after 5 days

Additional Information on Hotmail Plus/Hotmail Free accounts:

• Hotmail now offers POP Access for Hotmail Plus users (published Sept 2007)
• How to configure Hotmail for Pop3 in Outlook, Outlook Express, and iPhone  (Hotmail – Help and Support)
• Pop3 Availability For Free Windows Live Hotmail Accounts in the U.S. and Brazil (published Feb 2009)
• POP3 technology has now rolled out to Hotmail customers WORLDWIDE! (published Mar 2009)

Revisions:

Feb 2, 2008: Original Published Date

May 1, 2008:  Updated Accounts Qualifying section

May 2, 2008:    Added  Pop3/Stmp Access Capability Unknown section

May 24, 2008:  Windows Live Tags Added

Nov 9, 2008: Added ‘Note’ about use of Port 587 under section ‘Configuration Settings/Outgoing Server’

Nov 19, 2008: Added info on Pop3 access for free Hotmail accounts(early 2009) and Press Kit Fact Sheet(link)

Feb 15, 2009: Updated to correspond with Pop3 Access for free Hotmail Accounts in select countries

Mar 14, 2009: Updated to correspond with Pop3 Access for all free Hotmail accounts ‘Worldwide’

July 20, 2009: Comments section added and purging of messages in web UI Deleted folder after 5 days.

March 12, 2010: Added ‘Note’ workaround if Windows Mail/Outlook interprets Hotmail type email address entry as a non supported Http email address

Oct 28, 2010: Updated reference links to content on Windows Live Solution Center

June 24, 2012: Updated defunct Windows Live links with current Hotmail Help and Support links

August 1, 2012: Updated to include applicability to Outlook.com accounts/email addresses

MSN Hotmail and Hotmail Plus POP3/SMTP Access

Summary:    This entry has been updated and superseded by the following blog entry covering updated and additional information.

Hotmail and MSN Accounts POP3/SMTP Access

http://liveunplugged.wordpress.com/2010/03/12/hotmail-and-msn-accounts-pop3smtp-access/

Revisions:

March 12, 2010: Original blog entry content removed and ‘Summary’ revised to reflect changes and availability of updated link/content

Viewing A Windows Live Mail Message Subject Field in Vista and Windows 7 using Windows Explorer

Summary:

• Windows Live Mail stores Email and News messages on a pc in a viewable text file format.
• Email messages use the file type extension ‘eml’; News messages use ‘nws’
• Both Email and News messages use a hyphenated numerical/hexadecimal format as the filename
  • Two examples for Mail are 00294823-00000147.eml and 26A6701F-00000002.eml
  • Two examples for News are 0FDD08FE-0003DBFF.nws or 63F86350-0003DB89.nws
• Neither of the above filenames by default show the message’s ‘Subject’ or ‘Title’ field when viewed in Windows Explorer

Recommendation:

• If using Windows Vista or Windows 7, the ‘Subject’ field can be enabled in Windows Explorer

Instructions:

1. To add the ‘Subject’ (or ‘Title’ field via the Windows Explorer menu)
2. Open Windows Explorer
3. Navigate to the Windows Live Mail folder containing the respective account’s message(s)
4. The default location for your mail and news folders in Windows Live Mail is:
   • C:\Users\<your Windows logon id>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\<your email or newsgroup account name>
5. Click on ‘View’ on the Explorer menu or press Alt V
6. Scroll and select ‘Choose Details’
7. Scroll and select ‘Subject’ and/or ‘Title’ (see Note below for additional available fields)
8. Click ‘Ok’

Note:

• Applicable to all released versions of Windows Live Mail (2011, 2009, 2008)
• Other fields in addition to ‘Subject’ are available (e.g. To Address, From Address etc) when configuring the ‘Choose Details’ option in Vista’s Windows Explorer
• This procedure is also applicable to Vista’s Windows Mail for mail and news messages
  • Vista’s Windows Mail default location for your ‘mail’ folders is:
  •  —>  C:\Users\<your Windows logon id>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail\Local Folders
  • Vista’s Windows Mail default location for your ‘news’ folders is:
  • —>   C:\Users\<your Windows logon id>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail\<newsgroup name>

Revisions:

Sept 15, 2008: Original Published Date

Oct 26, 2008: Added ‘Note:’ section on other available fields and applicability to Vista’s Windows Mail messages

Feb 16, 2010: Republished as new entry to reflect applicability to Windows 7

Mar 11, 2010: Corrected spelling

Oct 27, 2010:  Upload new pic to WordPress, original pic had invalid Live SkyDrive location

Clubhouse Tags: Clubhouse, How-To, Windows Live, Mail, News, customization, Vista, Windows 7

Windows Live to Discontinue My.Live.com

Summary:

Effective March 15, 2010 the Windows Live Platform will discontinue use of and access to My.Live.com

Users of My.Live.com will be temporarily redirected to My MSN (http://my.msn.com) eventually the redirect will fail yielding a ’Page Not Found’ or ‘Cannot Display’ error (editor note Jan 2011 - redirect now fails)

Settings, Feeds, Gadgets/Modules will ***not*** be migrated to My MSN

Reference:

While still available to see the notification use your browser to navigate to http://my.live.com

Here’s the same notice in text form

<qp>

Thank you for using My.live.com. On March 15, 2010, My.live.com will be discontinued and all users redirected to My MSN. Please note that your settings, feeds and gadgets will not be migrated to MyMSN. To make MyMSN your homepage today, click here.

</qp>

Comments:

The most noticeable differences will be:

1. Advertisements – MyMSN has ‘ads’,  unlike My.Live.com which does/did not
- An MSN Premium primary member account or member sub-account(created by the primary) is capable of an ad free MyMSN page

2. Different MyMSN modules(text and graphic) are available for customizing the page
- Modules on My.Live.com were referred to as ‘Gadgets’

3. RSS Feeds Modules always show the first feed line item entry with contents expanded(thanks to LarryB. for pointing this out)

4. One can have up to five pages on My MSN (My.Live.com permitted many more – as a test I added 15)

5. Some common and different navigational links at the top of the page (see below graphics)

-  i.e. Links to Hotmail and MSN remain;  though Home(home.live.com) are removed

• My Live Links:

• MY MSN Links:

Revisions:

January 26, 2010: Original Publish Date

January 28, 2010: Updated Comments section(Module vs Gadgets, Feeds, and Maximum pages allowed)

January 29, 2010: Excluded Hotmail Plus account and replaced with Msn Premium primary or secondary account(s) as a requirement for an ad-free page

January 15, 2011: Updated to reflect failure of redirection from my.live.com

January 29, 2012:  Removed defunct Tags, Added new Tags

Changes for Accessing Hotmail using the WebDAV Protocol

Summary:

The WebDAV protocol will no longer be supported effective September 1, 2009   (Revised Jan. 2010 – See Revision section below)

On June 2, 2009 Microsoft announced changes impacting one of the methods to access Hotmail type accounts(Hotmail.com, Msn.com, Live.com) using ‘http’ servers/settings when using a local email client(e.g. Outlook, Outlook Express, Entourage).

Note: Accessing a Hotmail account in a browser(Internet Explorer) is not impacted by this change.

Only two remaining protocols DeltaSync and Pop3 will be available for accessing Hotmail type accounts(Hotmail.com, Live.com and Msn.com) in a local installed email client. IMAP is not an available option.

• DeltaSync uses a unique http server and will be the only http method available
• Pop3 an internet standard protocol uses the Live.com Servers (effective Feb 2009 all Hotmail accounts are capable of Pop3 access)

Windows Live Mail, the Outlook Connector(Outlook 2003, 2007, 2010) and MSN Explorer(9.6 or greater) are the only applications that support DeltaSync for Hotmail type accounts

Windows Live Mail, Outlook 2002/2003/2007/2010, Vista’s Windows Mail, Outlook Express and other third party email clients including the iPhone, iPod Touch, and Entourage all support Pop3 access 

More Information on WebDAV retirement:

The text of the full notice explaining additional details and options are available on the Windows Live Team and Hotmail Team blog

• Important info if you access Hotmail using Outlook, Outlook Express, or Entourage  (Windows Live Team)
• Continuing DAV protocol retirement  (Windows Live Hotmail Team)

Note: For accurate Pop3 configuration settings see the link below (Hotmail Accounts Pop3/Smtp Access Configuration)

What to do before Sept 1, 2009:

Option 1 -  HTTP/DeltaSync Access:

• Install Windows Live Mail(WLM) in XP, Vista or Windows 7 to use the DeltaSync server or
• Install the Outlook Connector(OLC) in Outlook 2003/2007/2010 to use the DeltaSync server or
• Install or upgrade to MSN 9.6 or later only if an MSN Premier customer and also preferring to use the provided MSN Explorer software

Option 2 – POP3 Access:

• Configure Windows Live Mail, Outlook 2002/2003/2007/2010, Vista’s Windows Mail, Outlook Express, or another third party email client for Pop3

Hotmail Accounts POP3/SMTP Access Configuration

Note:

• Backup any important messages to user created folders in your email client or copy to a Windows Explorer folder. Protect your data!!!!
• Option (1) above will retain the same synchronization that WebDAV provided with the Hotmail web interface permitting the web folders and messages to be mirrored locally(in WLM, the OLC, or MSN 9.6) and synchronized with the web interface(http://mail.live.com or http://hotmail.com) and available in both locations(local and web)
• Option (2) will not provide synchronization with the web interface(i.e. No mirrored folders or messages)
• Option (2) by design normally in most email clients will remove downloaded messages from the web server Inbox and place a copy in the Hotmail web interface’s Deleted folder (in a subfolder called POP) and retained until the POP option in the Hotmail web UI is configured to delete them thereby honoring your local client’s setting to ’Not leave messages on the server’. To leave a message your Hotmail web UI Inbox ensure that your Pop3 email client is configured to leave messages on the server and configure the POP option in the Hotmail web UI to ‘ Do what my other program says’.

What will happen if still using WebDAV on Sept 1, 2009:

• Access to new email in your Hotmail Inbox and other folders will cease
• Attempting to synchronize with a non existent WebDAV server may or may not result in an inability to access any messages in your email client’s prior configured WebDAV Hotmail account and folders(no server, no download).

Http Servers Impacted that use the WebDAV protocol:

• Two primary servers have been in use with Outlook Express and Outlook for Hotmail.com, and Msn.com accounts when configured for sending/retrieving via the ‘to be discontinued’ WebDAV protocol

Account Type/Domain	Server Name
MSN.COM	http://oe.msn.msnmail.hotmail.com/cgi-bin/hmdata
HOTMAIL.COM	http://services.msn.com/svcs/hotmail/httpmail.asp

• Neither of above two(2) servers support the new DeltaSync protocol and both will cease to function

Known Email Client Software Impacted:

• Outlook Express and Outlook 2002 using WebDAV (neither support the newer DeltaSync protocol)
• Outlook 2003/2007 when using the WebDAV protocol without the Outlook Connector

Known Email Client Software/Method Not Impacted:

• Windows Live Mail using DeltaSync
• Windows Live Mail(WLM) using the WebDAV servers for Hotmail accounts(migrated, imported, or previously setup). This ‘safety-net’ only exists since a WLM sync will override the WebDAV http server setting and use the necessary DeltaSync http server (If this situation is present, it is recommended to reconfigure the server for DeltaSync)
• Windows Live Mail, Outlook 2002/2003/2007/2010, Vista Windows Mail, Outlook Express or other third party email client when using Pop3 settings
• Hotmail Web Interface (Live ID Login required)
• MSN Explorer 9.6 or greater (DeltaSync compliant)
• Outlook 2003/2007/2010 when using the current Outlook Connector
  • The Outlook Connector latest version is available on the Microsoft Download site.

Accounts Not Impacted:

1.Subscription/Fee-Based Accounts:

• MSn Pop3 Legacy accounts using the current POP3/SMTP server settings 
• Hotmail Plus! accounts when using the current POP3/SMTP server settings
• MSn Premium accounts using MSN Explorer software version 9.6 or later(DeltaSync Compliant)

Revisions:

April 18, 2008:  Original Published Date

April 27, 2008:  Added Sections on Known Email Clients(Impacted, Not Impacted),  Undetermined, and Accounts Not Impacted(item#2)

May 1, 2008:  Revised Section on Known Email Client Software/Method Not Impacted  for Outlook 2003/2007 when using the Outlook Connector

May 5, 2008:  WebDAV Disabling Delayed(see Windows Live Hotmail Technical Support Blog: Responding to Customer Feedback – Disabling DAV )

July 21, 2009: Updated Summary, More Info(recent notices), What ‘If’ scenarios, and corresponding links.

Oct 31, 2009: Updated to clarify that browser access(Internet Explorer) is not impacted by WebDAV deprecation

Jan 14. 2010:  Added item specifying Windows Live Mail ability to override existing WebDAV server setting and use DeltaSync server

Jan 29, 2012:  Updated to reflect Hotmail web UI (user interface) POP folder functionality; Updated download Links for the Outlook Hotmail Connector; Added Tags

MSN 10 Information

Summary:

• Information about MSN version(10.0) was posted on November 24, 2009 in the Microsoft Public Newsgroup – Microsoft.Public.Msn.Discussion (see  ’More Information’ section below)
• MSN software was formerly referred to as MSN Explorer

  

Reference:

• Subject: MSN Explorer 10 Official Release Notice
• The posting source was Berit Benson, Community Leader – MSN Internet Access and is quoted below.

<qp>Greetings,
MSN Explorer Version 10 (MSN 10) has been released for MSN retail customers in the United States.  International and partner versions are still in the development process. If you are currently running MSN 9.6, then you will be automatically updated to MSN 10 within the upcoming weeks.  For new installs, please go to http://membercenter.msn.com and click the Download Now link. MSN 10 runs on the following versions of Windows – 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, XP (32 bit only), Vista (32 bit /64 bit) and Windows 7 (32 bit/64 bit).

New features in MSN 10:
- Integrated e-mail spell checker for XP, Vista and Windows 7.
- Quick Web Access (QWA) allows you to surf the web while MSN 10 completes the sign-in process.  For new installs, QWA is enabled by default.  Customers who receive MSN 10 through the auto-update process will not have this enabled by default.  QWA can be easily enabled/disabled from the sign in screen.
- New video player for the dashboard.  Add the player by clicking the username at the top of the dashboard and choosing Video.  This option is not enabled by default.
- The search buttons have been updated to Bing.

Items that have been removed or changed:
- The “Encarta” button has been changed to “Reference” and includes a dictionary, thesaurus and translations.
- The calendar task list has been removed from the dashboard since it was part of  the former MSN Calendar service.
- Search box on the dashboard has been moved to a fixed position at the top of the dashboard.
- Messenger is no longer a requirement for signing into MSN Explorer.  If Messenger is installed, MSN Explorer will work with it in the same manner as before and show your contacts and their online status.

Notable bug fixes:
- The main cause for ‘Error 235′ while installing/uninstalling has been addressed. Note: this error code may still display if a firewall or anti-virus is preventing MSN Explorer from accessing the internet.
- New windows not displaying the navigation bar has been fixed
- Unable to download certain file types such as .csv or .pdf has been fixed
Behind the scenes changes:
Previously, in order to add or remove features from the dashboard or navigation bar it was necessary to release an entirely new version of MSN Explorer.  With MSN 10, we now have the ability to update the dashboard and
the navigation bar  without requiring a full update of MSN Explorer.  Now that we have enabled this functionality, you can expect additional new features to be delivered to MSN 10 over the next year.
Thank you,
Berit Benson
Community Leader, MSN Internet Access/MSN Explorer

This posting is provided “AS IS” with no warranties, and confers no rights.</qp>

 

More Information:

• The Microsoft ’public.msn.discussion’ Nntp/Http newsgroup and server was offficially closed in Oct 2010.
  • Archived content for the group can be found via Google Groups
  • One can search in Google Groups using the defunct newsgroup name or specific content (examples below)
    • public.msn.discussion
    • MSN Explorer 10 Official Release Notice

 

Known Issues:

• Unable to delete Dashboard Bing History (by design last 5 items are retained).  See the following link for discussion on a work-around and a beta tool currently being evaluated.  ->   ’ How to delete dashboard Bing history ’
• Partner Versions(e.g. Qwest) [at the time of this publication] are not available for download or distribution and still in the development process.

 

 Revisions:

 Nov 28, 2009:  Original Draft Date

Nov 30, 2009:  Original Publish Date

Jan 15, 2010:   Updated for Known Issues, embedded Hyperlinks, and Tags

Dec 31, 2010:  Updated ’More Information’ section to search MSN content on Google Groups

 

Clubhouse Tags: Clubhouse, How-To, Help, MSN Explorer, accounts, Windows Live

Font Color – Gray Text of Read Messages in Windows Live Mail 2009

Summary:

• Windows Live Mail 2009 by design changes the color of mail and news message(s) text from Black to Light gray once a message(s) is read.
• The color of the text is controlled by the Windows’ Appearance properties ‘Disabled Item’
• Multiple options are available depending upon the operating system(XP, Vista, or Windows 7)
• Gray Text of read messages also applies to Sent messages

How To Change/Override:

1. Rules (XP, Vista, or Windows 7)

For all messages
Highlight it with Black
and Stop processing more rules

or optionally

For all messages
Highlight it with Default
and Stop processing more rules

Notes:

- A rule is applicable to received messages for Pop3 Email accounts and NNTP Newsgroup messages.

- A separate rule must be created for each(Mail and/or News).

- A rule can be applied manually to items in the Sent Items and/or Storage Folders

2. Modify Display Properties (Disabled Item)

XP: Changing the color of ’3D Objects’ in Windows ‘Advanced Appearance’ options which will automatically modify the color of the ‘Disabled Item’ as well as other 3D Objects. Thus if not acceptable for your viewing then use one of the above ‘Rules’ instead

• Control Panel\Display\Appearance\Advanced\<Scroll and select the ‘3D Objects’>

- Change the option labeled  ‘Color 1’

Vista and Windows 7: Changing the color of the Disabled Item font will only modify the ‘Disabled Item’

(Note: in each method below, the Control Panel was ‘configured to be shown on’ and ‘accessed from’ the Start Menu[Orb]

• Vista:

Control Panel\Personalization\Windows Color and Appearance\Classic Appearance Properties\

- Click Advanced, click the Down Arrow in the ‘Item’ field, then scroll and select ‘Disabled Item’

-> Change the option labeled ‘Color’ (e.g. to Black)

• Windows 7:

Control Panel\Personalization\Window Color\Advanced appearance settings

- Click the Down Arrow in the ‘Item’ field, then scroll and ‘Disabled Item’

-> Change the option labeled ‘Color’  (e.g. to Black)

Revisions:

Sept 04, 2009: Draft Creation date

Sept 08, 2009: Original Publish date

Dec 31, 2009: Updated to add Option 2(Disabled Item)

Jan 14, 2009:  Edited for readability

Send and Receive in Windows Live Mail 2009

Summary:

• Windows Live Mail(WLM) version 2009 uses a feature called ‘Sync’ to send and receive messages for email and newsgroups and also for updating RSS Feeds
• The Sync feature in WLM is the **replacement** for the traditional Send and/or Receive option found in prior/other email clients (e.g. Outlook 2003/2007, Windows Mail[Vista], and Outlook Express[XP])
• A Sync can be performed via the WLM Menu, the WLM Toolbar, or using the optional keyboard function keys
• WLM has a common Outbox for all outgoing mail and news messages
• A Sync performs both Send and Receive(unlike prior clients that permitted a Send without a Receive)

Performing A Sync in WLM:

  Mail Mode

• Menu(click on Tools) or the Toolbar(Sync button/icon)
  1. If the menu is not present, press Alt M
  2. If  the Sync button is not present, right click on the Toolbar/Customize to add the Sync button

Three options are available:

• • • Sync (Choose an email account) – sends/receives all message for the selected email account
    • Sync All Mail Accounts(Keyboard key F5 performs the same function) – sends/receives all messages for all mail accounts and sends the contents of the Outbox
    • Sync Everything (Keyboard keys Control F5 performs the same function) –sends/receives messages for all mail, configured news accounts, and also sends the contents of the Outbox

News Mode

• Menu(click on Tools) or the Toolbar(Sync button/icon)
  1. If the menu is not present, press Alt M
  2. If  the Sync button is not present, right click on the Toolbar/Customize to add the Sync button

Three options are available:

• • • Sync Newsgroup(choose a newsgroup)
    • Sync All Newsgroups(optionally F5) – sends and receives all configured newsgroup messages
    • Sync Everything(optionally Control F5) – sends and receives all newsgroup messages, sends emails present in the Outbox,

Feeds Mode

• Menu(click on Tools) or the Toolbar(Sync button/icon)
  1. If the menu is not present, press Alt M
  2. If  the Sync button is not present, right click on the Toolbar/Customize to add the Sync button

Two options are available:

• • • Sync All Feeds(optionally F5)
    • Sync Everything(optionally Control F5) – syncs all feeds, then syncs all mail and news, and finally sends messages in the Outbox

Revisions:

April 15, 2009: Draft Version and Original Published Date

May 29, 2009: Revised to include Feeds Sync

July 17, 2009: Corrected Typos and Punctuation

Jan 29, 2012: Removed defunct tag links and update with new tags

How To Access Support for a Hotmail Plus account

Summary:

• Hotmail Plus accounts are entitled to three different levels of  support for Customer Service (Chat, Email, Phone)
• Hotmail Plus accounts are entitled to only one level of  support for Technical Support (online support in a web forum – Windows Live Solution Center)

◊ Customer Service options are only available ‘after’ signing-in with a Hotmail Plus Live ID  and after accessing the Windows Live Support web site

◊ Technical Support is available in the Windows Live Solution Center in two forms – (a) pre-written Microsoft Certified Solutions or (b)  ’Ask A Question’.  The latter requires signing-in with a Live ID.

 Accessing Customer Service:

• Go to Windows Live Support – https://support.live.com/default.aspx
• Two options will be available  – Standard Services and Subscribed Services/Sign In

• Do not use the Standard Services option (shown below) even though it contains a ‘Windows Live Hotmail’ selection.  That option is for free Hotmail accounts and not Hotmail Plus and will redirect to the web based forum.

• Use the Subscribed Service/Sign In option and click on the link to ’Sign in’ [sign in with a Hotmail Plus Live ID (username/password)].

•   Once signed in the Windows Live Hotmail Plus option will become available.

• Click on Windows Live Hotmail Plus to access the three support options (Chat, Email, Phone). 

• Accessing Chat or Email Support requires completion of a form with the following information (necessary to obtain support and validate the correct billing account/credit card).

* Primary e-mail address/member ID associated with the account you are inquiring about:
* The account holder’s full name:
* Telephone number (including area code) associated with the account:
* Full Physical Address associated with the subscription:
* Primary type of payment method associated on the account:
* Last 4 digits of credit/debit card on file or last 5 digits of token (required for security purposes):
* Please select the area you are inquiring about:
- Change My Subscription, Update my Account Information, Product Information, Billing Inquiry, Password Reset, Credit/Adjustment/Refund Request
* Please explain in detail your inquiry

“PLEASE NOTE: The information collected is to assist Microsoft in supporting you for this request only. We require the last 4 digits of the credit/debit card on file or the last 5 digits of the token for security purposes. If you do not have this information, please click on “My Microsoft Billing Account” on the left hand navigation to login to your account and obtain the billing and account information associated with your subscription.”

• Fill out the form with all required fields then click ‘Continue’ to obtain the ‘Interactive Chat or Email’ services.

Accessing Technical Support:

• Contrary to the ‘Email’ option shown (below), email support is no longer available for technical support.  Technical Support for all  Hotmail accounts (free and Hotmail Plus) can only be obtained in the Windows Live Solution Center web based forum.  Clicking the ‘Email’ option will automatically redirect to the Windows Live Solution Center.

• To avoid the ‘wasted’ effort(s) of navigating through the ‘Support.live.com’ site looking for Hotmail Plus Technical Support, its a lot easier to just go directly to the Hotmail forum in the Windows Live Solution Center.

Revisions:

October 24, 2008: Original Publish Date

March 5, 2011: Updated with current content

Jan 29, 2012:  Revised note on lack of Technical Support ’Email’ option availability and redirection to Windows Live web forum

 

Viewing A Windows Live Mail Message Subject Field in Vista’s Windows Explorer

Note:  This article has been superseded by a later article dated February 16, 2010 for applicability to Windows Live Mail on both Vista and Windows 7.

Viewing A Windows Live Mail Message Subject Field in Vista and Windows 7 using Windows Explorer

http://liveunplugged.wordpress.com/2010/02/16/viewing-a-windows-live-mail-message-subject-field-in-vista-and-windows-7-using-windows-explorer/

Summary:

• Windows Live Mail stores Email and News messages on a pc in a viewable text file format.
• Email messages use the file type extension ‘eml’; News messages use ‘nws’
• Both Email and News messages use a hyphenated numerical/hexadecimal format as the filename
  • Two examples for Mail are 00294823-00000147.eml and 26A6701F-00000002.eml
  • Two examples for News are 0FDD08FE-0003DBFF.nws or 63F86350-0003DB89.nws
• Neither of the above filenames by default show the message’s ‘Subject’ field when viewed in Windows Explorer

Recommendation:

• If using Windows Vista, the ‘Subject’ field can be enabled in Windows Explorer

Instructions:

1. To add the ‘Subject’ field via the Windows Explorer menu
2. Open Windows Explorer
3. Navigate to the Windows Live Mail folder containing the respective account’s message(s)
4. The default location for your mail and news folders in Windows Live Mail is:
   • C:\Users\<your Windows logon id>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\<your email or newsgroup account name>
5. Click on ‘View’ on the Explorer menu or press Alt V
6. Scroll and select ‘Choose Details’
7. Scroll and select ‘Subject’ (see Note below for additional available fields)
8. Click ‘Ok’

Note:

• Applicable to all released versions of Windows Live Mail (2011, 2009, 2008)
• Other fields in addition to ‘Subject’ are available (e.g. To Address, From Address etc) when configuring the ‘Choose Details’ option in Vista’s Windows Explorer
• This procedure is also applicable to Vista’s Windows Mail for mail and news messages
  • Vista’s Windows Mail default location for your ‘mail’ folders is:
    C:\Users\<your Windows logon id>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail\Local Folders
  • Vista’s Windows Mail default location for your ‘news’ folders is:

  C:\Users\<your Windows logon id>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail\<newsgroup name>

Revisions:

Sept 15, 2008: Original Published Date
Oct 26, 2008: Added ‘Note:’ section on other available fields and applicability to Vista’s Windows Mail messages
Oct 27, 2010:  Uploaded new pic to WordPress, original pic had invalid Live SkyDrive location, note about article supersedence
Jan 30, 2012: Removed tags redirecting to a defunct location, updated with new tags

Migrating Messages in Accounts from Outlook Express to Windows Live Mail

Summary:

How to resolve an unsuccessful migration of messages from Outlook Express(OE) by utilizing Windows Live Mail’s(WLM) Import function.

More Information:

Reference: Windows Live Email Support Blog, May-2-2008

• Messages/Accounts not successfully migrating from OE to WLM   (click to read)

Comments:

• The method in the provided article imports folders and messages from an existing account(s) in OE
• It does not import or create the source(OE) email account in the destination WLM client(see Note)
• Folders are imported to sub-folders in WLM’s Storage Folders\Imported Folders\Local Folders

• Messages present in OE’s default folders(Inbox, Drafts, Deleted Items, Outbox, Sent Items) will be present, if successful, in each respectively named folder
• User created folders in OE can also be successfully migrated(e.g. ‘Save’ folder in above picture)
• Note: Since the import does not import\create the email account in WLM, the user must manually create the email account(if not already present, and also any user created folders) or optionally import the email account using a previously created/saved OE *.iaf file as source.
• Once OE’s messages are imported they can remain in that location, or moved to a user created folder within an email account(WLM by design creates a folder structure for each unique email account), or moved to user created folder within the Storage folders.

Moving Messages from the Imported Storage Folder(s) Location to an Email Account:

1. 1. Drag the message from an imported folder to a sub-folder in an existing/created email account , or
   2. Select a message(or group of messages) in an imported folder, then right click to make the context menu’s options available(e.g. Move to folder or Copy to folder), then choose the option of your choice to move or copy the message to the desired location(i.e. a user created folder in the email account)

Note: The above methods for managing/archiving messages within an email account’s sub-folders in WLM might be perceived as consistent with archiving messages in in OE’s Local Folders, though this approach may not be the most secure place:

• Removing(deleting) an email account in WLM also removes/deletes all folders and messages from WLM’s message store on the hard drive, thus the following optional method(see below) is highly suggested.

Moving Messages from the Imported Storage Folder(s) Location to another user created Storage Folder:

1. 1. Drag the message from an imported folder to a folder/sub-folder in the Storage folder, or
   2. Select a message(or group of messages) in an imported folder, then right click to make the context menu’s options available(e.g. Move to folder or Copy to folder), then choose the option of your choice to move or copy the message to the desired location(i.e. a user created folder, e.g. SaveMail, in the Storage folders)

Note: Utilizing the Storage folder has the following benefits.

• The Storage Folders(and sub-folders) are not removed/deleted from WLM message store when an email account is deleted, thus inherently more secure
• A common location for archiving important messages external to an email account’s default folders(i.e. Inbox, Drafts, Sent, etc)
• Message rules for Pop3 email accounts can also move messages to this location
• Easier to backup important archived messages instead of individual email accounts(e.g. The SaveMail folder and its’ three sub-folders)

Revisions:

May 3, 2008: Original Published Date

May 24, 2008: Windows Live Tags added

Windows Live Tags: Mail, Outlook Express, How-To, accounts, importing, drag and drop, clubhouse

Repairing Windows Live Mail 2008 Quick Views Counter

 Summary:

• Window’s Live Mail(WLM) ‘Quick views’ can ‘break’ when a folder is deleted in WLM(within an Account or under the Storage Folders), un-subscribing to a newsgroup, or by deletion of an RSS Feed.
• Common symptoms of a broken/corrupted ‘Quick views’  are an inaccurate message counter; a failure to display current messages; or a failure to display messages received, copied, or moved since the corruption.
• To repair the Quick Views counter’s functionality a registry edit is necessary(see Note of Caution below)

 Repair Method:

1.  Close WLM
2.  Open Regedit
3.  Start/Run/Regedit
4.  Navigate(in the left hand pane) to the following location:
     HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\
5.  Click on Windows Live Mail(left hand pane) to reveal the key’s content
6.  Using the cursor/scroll bar(right hand pane) find the entry ‘SearchFolderVersion’
    – This entry is in the field/column with a header titled ‘Name’
7.  Click on ‘SearchFolderVersion’ to highlight that single key
8.  Delete the entry  ‘SearchFolderVersion’
9.  Close Regedit
10. Open WLM
    – the registry key will be recreated and WLM will poll for unread messages

 Note of Caution: 

- Registry editing can create serious problems if used incorrectly. Proceed with the above at your own risk.- For additional information about the using the Windows Registry Editor 

• How to Modify the Windows Registry

 

Revisions:

April 15, 2008: Original Published Date

May 12, 2008:  Additional reasons for ‘Quick view’ corruption added(thanks Ildhund)

May 24, 2008:  Windows Live Tags added

Windows Live Tags: Mail, How-To, RSS feed, accounts, clubhouse