Advanced Rules and New Features Available for Outlook.com

Summary:

New features introduced in the Outlook.com web interface

• Advanced Rules
• Expanded Undo Commands
• In-line Replies
• Improved Messaging

Notification:

Outlook.com introduces the most sophisticated rules in webmail

Comments:

All of the new features provide improvements in the management of email in the Outlook.com web user interface

• Multiple and Optional Conditions
• Time Constraints
• Check Status of Read/Unread emails
• Sender Contact Verfication
• Undo option for web interface not just email composition
• In-line reply without launching a new composition window
• Find recent messaging conversations from the Inbox
• Switch to message conversations across multiple services (e.g Facebook, Skype)

Revisions:

May 13, 2014: Original Draft and Publish Date

June 01, 2014: Added Notification to Outlook.com Blog

Expanding Conversation View Settings in Windows Live Mail

Summary:

 

How To:

1. Open Windows Live Mail

2. Click Blue button (upper left), Options, Mail, Read tab
- check ‘Automatically expand grouped messages’

3. Click the View tab (tabs are located on the Ribbon to the right of the Blue button))

Suggested settings on the View tab
Filter Messages = Show all
Conversations = On
Sort Order = Descending
Sort by = Sent
Message List = Automatic
Reading Pane = Right of message list and Show header
Calendar pane = Off (setting is a toggle)
Compact View = Off (setting is a toggle)
Storage Folders = On (setting is a toggle)
Status Bar = On (setting is a toggle)

 

Revisions:

August 3, 2013: Original Draft

September 7, 2013: Original Publish Date

December 7,  2013: Updated to itemize View tab recommended settings

MSN Explorer – Security Enhancements

Summary:

• Security Enhancements to MSN Explorer will start to roll-out at the end of July 2013.
• Changes will require (1) Password input/verification upon every access/sign-in; (2) Minimum operating system (XPSp3 or later); Minimum version of MSN Explorer (10.5 or later)

Notification:

Dear MSN Member

Security enhancements are coming to your MSN Explorer sign-in experience which will require that:

1. You must enter your password on every sign-in. Make sure you know your password.
   • You can verify your password at https:\\login.live.com.
2. You are using the latest version of MSN Explorer which is version 10.50:
   • You must upgrade to the latest MSN Explorer version. The latest versions start with 10.50. Verify that you are running MSN 10.5 by doing the following:
     1. Launch MSN Explorer
     2. Click Help & Settings
     3. Click on About MSN
     4. If the version shown starts with 10.50, then you are running the latest version.
   • See the FAQ for instructions on upgrading if you are not on the current version.
3. You must verify you are running a supported operating system version:
   • Click Start, and then click Run.
   • In the Open box, type winver.exe, and then click OK. The version number is displayed in the About Windows box.

If you are running Windows XP Service Pack 3, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8:

• Your operating system is supported.

If you are running Windows XP, Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Windows XP Service Pack 2:

• You must upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 3. Follow the directions on this site.

If you are running Windows 98, Windows ME or Windows 2000:

• These operating systems are no longer supported by MSN Explorer.
• For information on alternatives and saving your information please refer to the FAQ.

The update will start rolling out at the end of July. We appreciate your patience as we work to keep your online experience as safe as possible. If you have questions on these changes you can refer to the FAQ or contact MSN Product Support at 1-800-386-5550.

Sincerely,
Your MSN Explorer Team

Comments:

• MSN Explorer Sign-in Changes FAQ’s – https://membercenter.msn.com/SignupChangeFAQ.aspx
• MSN Explorer Versions prior to 10.5 will no longer work
• Windows XP Sp3, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 will be the only supported operating systems
• Enhanced ant-phishing capabilities will be deployed by adding McAfee® SiteAdvisor® technology to MSN Explorer

Revisions:

July 15, 2013: Original Draft and Original Publish Date

Skype or Snipe – Hunting For The Impossible Dream

Summary:

• Users are were experiencing problems (failure) signing on to Skype using a Microsoft Account username/password

Update: As of 13:50 GMT (10:50 a.m. EST, 7:50 a.m PST) Skype is reporting the problem has been resolved for the majority of users.

cf. http://heartbeat.skype.com/2013/04/problems_with_microsoft_accoun.html

“UPDATE Apr 25, 2013 13:50 GMT]:  We are still monitoring the situation but the majority of users should now be able to sign into Skype with their Microsoft Account.”

Details:

•  As of the evening of April 24, 2013  the ability to sign on to Skype with a Microsoft Account has been failing.
• Microsoft is currently upgrading (mandatory) Live Messenger accounts to Skype
• It is not known (at the time this article was written) whether the upgrade process is the cause of the Skype/Microsoft Account Sign-in failure nor when the problem will be resolved.
• The ability to continue to use Messenger is not a viable alternative since Messenger will prompt with a message stating that ‘A newer version is available’ – The ‘Newer’ version **is** Skype

Comments:

• If you’re familiar with the the term ‘hunting for snipe’ the parallel being drawn in the title of the article is that both are/were (during the outage) apparently impossible tasks
• Until this problem is resolved it might be prudent to delay upgrading Messenger to Skype (i.e. if one can’t sign on with a Messenger (Microsoft Account credentials) username/password to either Messenger or Skype then any attempt to use either would be fruitless. [Ed. – MSFT account signon and upgrade problems appear to be resolved. Verified on April 25, 2013 3 p.m. EST – successful upgrading from Messenger to Skype worked fine]
• Existing Skype accounts that were previously migrated from Messenger are were seeing the dialog box (below) when using their Microsoft Account credentials to sign-on to Skype
• Skype support is was providing this notice:
• Clicking on the link for ‘View blog reactions’ doesn’t provide any additional details (another snipe hunt?) only yielding the blog host (Technorati) service’s ‘No Results’ search finding:
• If Messenger is still installed (i.e. has not been upgraded to the somewhat misleading but planned and previously notified  **Newer version*** it is highly likely that will also be fruitless during this any temporary outage since Messenger is pre-programmed to prevent sign on until the mandatory upgrade to the ‘newer version’ [Skype] is completed.  
• Status updates on this outage can be monitored on the Skype ‘Heartbeat’ web site http://heartbeat.skype.com/

• During Skype outages, imo, doing nothing (not upgrading, attempting to access Skype with a Microsoft Account, remove and reinstall Skype, wait a few hours/days etc.) might be best since those choices might be more beneficial than tampering with your pc/system and installed software and always better than going snipe (Skype) hunting.

Revisions:

April 24, 2013: Original Draft Date

April 25, 2013: Original Publish Date; Content edited to reflect outage status/resolution including verb changes where applicable (current vs. past tense)

Microsoft Account – Optional Two-Step Verification

Summary:

• Microsoft will begin deploying a new, but optional, verification procedure requiring the user to provide two types of security information prior to accessing their Microsoft account.

Comments:

• This feature change is optional
• Microsoft accounts provide the ability to configure multiple types of security proofs
• Security proof types previously and currently available are – SMS capable phone number, Alternate E-mail address, Trusted PC, and Secret Question
• Multiple entries (more than one) of specific security proof types can be configured (e.g. two phone numbers, two alternate email address, two Trusted Pcs)
• Enabling two-step verification will ensure Microsoft verifies that at least two pieces of security information are on file for the respective Microsoft Account on the Microsoft servers and /or user provided during verification when signing on.
• Enabling two-step verification will also provide the option to opt-out of providing security codes after an initial two-step verification (per browser per device). Choosing this option will require using the device to sign on to the respective Microsoft account at least once every 60 days.
• Maintaining and updating your account security proofs will be important/necessary for any devices used to access Microsoft account services
• If your security information changes (e.g. Phone, Alternate Email) it should be considered mandatory to update your Microsoft account before wiping/deleting the old information.

Links:

1. Microsoft Account Gets More Secure
   – http://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_blog/archive/2013/04/17/microsoft-account-gets-more-secure.aspx

2. Microsoft Account Security Proofs (for configuring security proofs and Two-Step Verification)
   – https://account.live.com/proofs/Manage

Revisions:

April 17, 2013: Original Draft and Publish Date

Windows Live Messenger New Version Prompt Is *Skype*

 

Summary:

1. Windows Live Messenger program informs users that  ‘A new version of Messenger is available’

2. The new version of Messenger is Microsoft Skype

Comments:

• Effective April 8, 2013 Microsoft will start mandatory upgrading Windows Live Messenger users to Microsoft Skype
• Current users of Windows Live Messenger when opening the program will be presented with the following prompt –  ‘A new version of Messenger is available’:

 

• Clicking on ‘Get it now’ will generate the following dialog box

• Clicking ”OK’ with Yes’ enabled **will not** install ‘A newer version of Messenger’ but will initiate the download and subsequent installation of Skype
• Clicking on ‘What’s New’ will redirect to a Skype url (web page) with additional details on upgrading Messenger to Skype and an option to download Skype

 

• The terminology that ‘A newer version of Messenger is available’ may be (is) a bit misleading but the requirement for Windows Live Messenger users to upgrade to Microsoft Skype is mandatory since the end of life (and ability to use) Messenger will start to occur globally (except mainland China) on April 8, 2013.
• If you wish to continue to use a Microsoft product to Instant Message, Share (Photos, Videos, Files), Group Chat, and Video calls with your Messenger contacts then installation of Microsoft Skype is necessary.

Links:

Skype Home Page – http://www.skype.com/en/

What is Skype – http://www.skype.com/en/what-is-skype/

Skype for Windows Desktop – http://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-computer/

Skype Support – https://support.skype.com/en/

Microsoft Answers Support (Messenger/Skype FAQs) – http://goo.gl/rQ69Q

 

Revisions:

April 1, 2013: Original Draft Date

April 2, 2013: Original Publish Date

Windows Live Messenger End of Service – Volume 2

 

Summary:

Effective April 8th, 2013 Microsoft will begin upgrading customers for Windows Live Messenger to Skype

Comments:

1. April 8, 2013 is the first day you may be required to update from Messenger to Skype
2. Microsoft previously announced that existing Messenger service globally (except mainland China) would be retired effective March 15, 2013. The April 8th date preempts the earlier March 15th date.
3. Upgrading to Skype using an existing Microsoft account (currently used for Windows Live Messenger) will migrate that same Microsoft account’s Messenger contacts into Skype.
4. Messenger contacts  ‘Categories and Groups’ ***Do Not*** migrate to Skype
5. Custom Emoticons (including animated gifs) are not supported in Skype
6. End of Service in the simplest terms means Windows Live Messenger will cease to function (sign-on with username/password will fail/no longer functions) – i.e. upgrading to Skype is mandatory!

Notices:

Two recent email notices (Feb 2013 and March 2013) are shown below. 

Note: If you’ve not seen these notices (more than two email reminders have been sent to all Messenger accounts) it might be prudent to look in your email client’s Junk Mail folder

Feb 2013 Notice:

March 2013 Notice:

Links:

• Messenger to Skype for Windows Desktop – https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA12246/i-used-to-use-messenger-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-skype-for-windows-desktop
• From Messenger to Skype – http://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-computer/windows-live-messenger/
• Download Skype – http://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-windows/downloading/wlm/

 

Revisions:

February 19, 2013: Original Publish Date

March 23, 2013: Updated (added additional email notice)

April 1, 2013: Updated (added Skype Download link)