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

Microsoft Services Agreement Updated

 

Summary:

Microsoft Services Agreement updated and effective October 19, 2012

Comments:

1. The Microsoft Services Agreement was updated on August 27, 2012 to coincide with the upcoming release of Windows 8 and its integrated used of a ‘Microsoft Account’.
2. Microsoft Account is the current term replacing/rebranding a Live ID account.
3. Notification of the change was deployed via an email to existing Microsoft Account (fka Live ID) holders
4. Additional detail (e.g. binding arbitration and class action waiver) is included in the text of the notice(below) 

Notice:

Email Notice: August 31, 2012

Links:

• Microsoft Services Agreement

  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-live/microsoft-services-agreement

Revisions:

August 31, 2012: Original Draft Date

September 2, 2012: Original Publish Date

October 2, 2012: Revision in ‘Comments’ section to reflect rename of ‘Live ID’ to ‘Microsoft Account’

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 Remove or Hide a Last Name from a Windows Live Profile

Summary:

• Method to remove and/or hide the user’s (Live ID or Microsoft Account) last name from being visible to the public, contacts, and/or connected social network services.

Background:

• A Windows Live ID (or Microsoft Account) requests the entry of a last name, initial or other acceptable character during the Live ID (Microsoft Account) account creation process.
• For privacy reasons (personal reasons, use of multiple Live ID/Microsoft Accounts, displayed when using the Live web services – Hotmail, SkyDrive, etc.) some may prefer to not share or broadcast their last name to the public, network contacts and/or other connected social network services
• The last name field  can be edited and an optional ‘blank’ character entered by using a common available Windows provided ‘Accessories’ application called  ‘Character Map’
• Character Map can be found on the Start Menu (All Programs/Accessories/System Tools)

How To:

1. Logon to the respective Live ID’s Profile (at http://profile.live.com)

2. On the Profile home page click on Details (or Edit Details)

3. Click on the Edit field adjacent to the user name

4. Select and clear the last name field

5. Open Character Map (in a separate window) and select the ‘Arial’ character mode

6. Scroll down to and click on the character named ‘U+202A: Left to Right Embedding’ to cue (place the focus) on the ‘U+202A’ character in ‘Character Map’, then click the ‘Select’ button

7. Click ‘Copy’ to place the character on the Windows Clipboard

9. Paste the contents of the clipboard to the ‘Last Name’ field then click on Save to finalize the changes.

10. Once ‘Saved’ you will return to your Profile home page allowing verification of the change.

(Two examples below)

  [after the facelift] 🙂

Comments:

• Changing your name will impact all places your name appears when using Windows Live (Profile, Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger, SkyDrive) and/or transmitted to other social connected services.
• Changing your name will also impact the name that appears on Windows 8 (Microsoft Account Windows logon name)

Revisions:

October 31, 2011: Publish as ‘Draft’ Date

March 15, 2012: Republish Draft after testing on Windows 8 (Consumer Preview)

April 23, 2012: Original Publish Date

MSN Customer Support – Online Solution Center

 

Summary:

MSN Solution Center provides alternate support options that supplements existing subscription based phone support

Comments:

Highlights of the online system include:

1. Common problems experienced by other MSN subscribers
2. Solutions and step by step instructions validated by Microsoft
3. Ability to ask questions in a forum based ecosystem
4. Problem resolution by MSN subscriber peers and MSN Support personnel

Notification:

Email Notice: March 19, 2012

Links:

• MSN Solution Center – https://answers.msn.com/default.aspx
• Installation Help – https://answers.msn.com/product.aspx?productid=28
• Sign-in Help – https://answers.msn.com/product.aspx?productid=29
• Email Help – https://answers.msn.com/product.aspx?productid=30
• Dial-up Connection Help – https://answers.msn.com/product.aspx?productid=31
• Billing Help – https://answers.msn.com/product.aspx?productid=32
• Subscription Based Phone Support – https://support.msn.com/default.aspx  (Note:  requires MSFT Account  signon and selection of ‘Subscribed Services’ – e.g. Premium Internet, Dial-up, Hotmail Plus, etc.) to receive Customer Service and/or Technical Support via phone.

Revisions:

March 20, 2012: Original Published Date

April 17, 2012: Updated Comments and Links

January 06,  2013: Republished (Messenger Connect disabled on Word Press, Notification via Messenger PSM)

March 30, 2013:  Corrected broken link and typo error, added link for Subscription based Phone Support

Windows Live ID – Linked Live ID’s Feature Disabled

Effective Aug 17, 2011 this article is no longer applicable due to the Windows Live Team re-enabling the ability to create Linked Live IDs.

• Re-enabling creation of Linked IDs  ( <– click for additional details)

August 17, 2011:

“Today we are beginning to re-enable the ability to create new Linked IDs. This
change is rolling out in the next couple days and should be complete this week”

 

Summary:

• The ability to link multiple Live IDs was recently disabled
• The option to link Live ID’s has been removed from the Options section in the user account page.
• This feature appears to have been disabled a few weeks ago (est. July 13, 2011)

Notification:

(as of July 26, 2011)

• No formal announcement from the Windows Live Team
• Windows Live Solution Center personnel are aware of the feature being disabled
• A Windows Live Solution Center ‘Sticky’ was not available

Reference:

Windows Live Solution Center (WLSC) replies from Live Support personnel (see 2 responses below)

Reply on July 13th

Reply on July 26th

Comments:

1. Information regarding a formal announcement from the Live Team is unknown at this time
2. Availability of ‘New documentation’ noted in the July 26 WLSC reply is also unknown at this time
3. Existing Linked Live ID’s continue to function (i.e. Linking new Live ID’s are disabled)
4. Unlinking an existing Live ID and attempting to re-Link the same Live ID will fail

Revisions:

July 15, 2011: Original Published (draft)

July 26, 2011: Published and updated (after WLSC reply marked as an Answer)

Aug 17, 2011:  Added note regarding the ‘Re-enabling Creation of Linked Live IDs’

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 Hotmail – Junk Email Filter Override

Summary:

• Windows Live Hotmail does not provide an option to turn off the the built-in Junk Email Filter
• Overriding the Hotmail Junk Email Filter can be accomplished by use of rule configured in the web interface

Background Information:

• Windows Live Hotmail provides two selectable filter options (Standard and Exclusive) for handling Junk Email and neither option has the ability to override (turn off) the Junk Mail Filter.

• Overriding the Hotmail Junk Email Filter may be advantageous for those operating under or desiring the following conditions:

1. Hotmail accounts configured to use Pop3 protocol in a desktop email client which only retrieves the contents of the Inbox from the account’s web server Inbox
2. Hotmail accounts using the web interface and preferring all email delivery to the Inbox while still retaining the ‘Safety Features’ of the Hotmail which in most cases will continue to block attachments, pictures and links until the content is approved (for viewing) by the user (i.e. Show Content, or Always show content from the sending email address)
3. Persons using the social media features of their Windows Live Profile where it’s desirable that all  ‘Friend Invitations’ are delivered to the account’s web server Inbox (instead of the Junk Mail Folder)
4. Hotmail accounts used as a mechanism to aggregate other pop3 email accounts’ incoming email to the Hotmail Inbox
5. Hotmail accounts that are configured to forward all incoming email to another Hotmail account or 3rd party provider email account (e.g. primary ISP email account or other web account provider)

Method (to Override):

1. Overriding the Hotmail Junk Email Filter requires the use of  a simple rule which can be created in the Hotmail options section. The steps to create the rule are as follows:

a. Sign-in to the Hotmail account at http://mail.live.com or http://hotmail.com

b. Access the Hotmail Options located in the upper right in the Hotmail web interface (see pic 1 below)

c. Select More Options then Rules for Sorting New Messages (pic 2)

  (pic 1)   =======>>>>>>   (pic 2)

2. Select ‘New‘ under ‘Rules for sorting new messages‘  (pic3)

(pic 3)

3. Create a new rule of the form Sender’s Address contains @  (Step 1 in pic 4) then select  Move to Inbox (Step 2)

(pic 4)

4. Save the rule prior to exiting the rules options and returning to the Inbox

Comments:

• Credit for this method is compliment of one of my oldest friends from the early beta days of MSN (circa 1995). Thanks Snork!!!!  for doing all the leg work in testing and validating the above rule.
• Credit for testing the applicability of the rule for ‘Friend Invitations’ to both Amber and Erin (Thanks Ladies!!! )
• If other rules are in place/configured to move incoming messages to another Hotmail web folder or subfolder within the account, then ensure the above rule is the first rule created in a series of rules since rules created last apparently operate first in the hierarchy of all rules.
• Overriding the Hotmail Junk Mail filter increases the risk of undesirable mail being delivered to the account Inbox thus caution is warranted when opening or clicking on links in any unsolicited email.
• Overriding the Hotmail Junk Mail filter increases the risk of undesirable mail being delivered to a local email client (e.g. Windows Live Mail or Outlook) used to retrieve Hotmail account messages when the Hotmail account is configured to use the POP3 protocol (only Inbox messages are retrieved from the Hotmail server) thus caution is warranted when opening or clicking on links in any unsolicited email
• Always ensure that a capable Antivirus/Antimalware scanner is active on your pc (e.g. Microsoft Security Essentials)

Revisions:

May 4, 2011: Original Published Date

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> )

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 Hotmail – Wave 4 Announced

Summary:

• Windows Live Hotmail Wave 4 was announced earlier today (May 17. 2010)
• Windows Live Hotmail Wave 4 Features availability is currently planned for this summer *
• Reference links below contain additional information

* Windows Live Hotmail initial Wave 4 features were reported complete on Aug 3, 2010, with additional features planned for the future. Links below now direct to current content – Editor)

Reference:

•  
  • Windows Team Blog – Inside Windows Live

Re-inventing Windows Live Hotmail

The new Hotmail is rolling out out now!

The new Hotmail is now available to everyone

•  
  • Overview  —->   http://explore.live.com/windows-live-hotmail
  • What’s New/Compare  —->  http://explore.live.com/windows-live-hotmail-compare
  • Tips  —->  http://explore.live.com/windows-live-hotmail-using

 

Comments:

1. The Windows Team Blog – ‘Inside Windows Live’ site is the suggested site for future information

•  
  •  
    • Consider bookmarking the site or subscribing to the RSS Feed
      • Bookmark – http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_live/b/windowslive/
      • RSS Feed – http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_live/b/windowslive/rss.aspx

2. Note: Windows Live Hotmail is a browser based web interface(not to be confused with Windows Live Mail a desktop email client)

Revisions:

May 17, 2010: Original Publish Date

April 4, 2011: Updated obsolete links

Windows Live Tags: Hotmail, Hotmail Plus, Windows Live

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
  https://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

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

https://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

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

WebDAV Protocol Deprecation Delayed – Status Update

Notice:

1. The entry below(‘Summary and thereafter’) will become obsolete as will WebDAV access effective Sept 1, 2009.  On June 2, 2009 Microsoft announced that WebDAV would finally cease to function(effective Sept 1, 2009).
2. For options that should be done prior to the Sept 1, 2009 WebDAV retirement see –> Changes for Accessing Hotmail using the WebDAV Protocol
3. Microsoft notifications can be found here

“Important info if you access Hotmail using Outlook, Outlook Express, or Entourage”

and

 “Continuing DAV protocol retirement”  

• You may also have received notification via an email if your Hotmail account(hotmail.com or msn.com) was using the WebDAV protocol.

 

Summary:   The content below is only being made available for archival purposes.

• Microsoft announces delay/postponement of previously scheduled transition deadline(June 30th, 2008) for accessing Hotmail accounts using the WebDAV protocol in Outlook Express and Outlook(03/07)

 More Information:

Compliments of the Windows Live Mail Support Team on May 5th, 2008

Windows Live Hotmail Technical Support Blog: Responding to Customer Feedback – Disabling DAV

Note: The above notification(May 5th, 2008) postpones this prior notice(April 17th) about disabling the WebDAV protocol

• Microsoft Announces Changes for Accessing Hotmail with Outlook Express

Comments:

Http servers(see below) supporting the WebDAV protocol in Outlook Express and Outlook(2003/2007) for Hotmail.com and Msn.com accounts when configured for sending/retrieving will continue to function after June 30th, 2008 and until notified otherwise.

 

Http Servers Capable of Accessing the 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

 

Revisions:

May 5, 2008:  Original Published Date

May 8, 2008:  Added Link on original notification(now delayed) regarding disabling WebDAV protocol 

May 24, 2008:  Windows Live Tags added

July 21, 2009: Updated to reflect (a) WebDAV retirement/deprecation effective Sept 1, 2009 and (b) blog entry previous content obsolescence

Windows Live Tags: Hotmail, Mail, Outlook Express, Outlook, How-To, accounts, clubhouse