Outlook for iOS – Actionable Messaging Feature

Summary: Actionable messaging feature now available for Outlook for iOS mobile app

Comments:

• Microsoft announces support for actionable messaging in the Outlook for iOs mobile app
• Provides the ability to take action on request in an email without leaving your Inbox or switching apps
  • Examples of actions are requests for Group Approval, Feedback Surveys, Approval requests(timesheets)
• Availability of the feature is now being rolled out with completion in the next few months

Additional Information:

• Actionable Messages in Outlook mobile help you act fast on the go – Microsoft Tech Community – 483559
• Designing Outlook Actionable Message cards with the Adaptive Card format

Revisions:

May  7 2019:  Initial Draft and Publish Date

Windows Essentials 2012 – Download (Last Chance)

Summary:  Windows Essentials 2012 Download Full Version Installer – Possibly Last Chance before being removed from the Microsoft Server

Note:  This Blog entry is now obsolete – Windows Essentials 2012 installer files are no longer available from Microsoft. 

For additional and later information see this ===>> Blog article

 

Comments:

• Windows Essentials 2012 includes Windows Live Mail 2012, Photo Gallery/Movie Maker, and Windows Live Writer 2012
• Ever since Windows 8.0 was released the possibility of the Windows Essentials 2012 suite of products no longer being available and/or not supported has been a valid concern.
• Windows Live Essentials 2011 and 2009 Full and unified web version installers are no longer available from Microsoft web site and servers.  Windows Live Essentials 2011 and 2009 are no longer supported products.
• Windows Essentials 2012 Full version installer remains available on the Microsoft server (How long = unknown)
• If using one of more of the Widows Essentials 2012 suite of products, it is highly recommended to download the Full version installer for archive purposes in the event a reinstallation is necessary, clean installation on a new or different pc, and/or backup requirements.
• It is safe to assume that Windows Essentials 2012 will not be supported in the future.  End of support does not always mean, no longer capable of being used but it does usually mean end of availability to obtain its installer files.

 

How to:

• Direct  Link to download Windows Essentials 2012 Full Version Installer from Microsoft Servers
  • Full Version 2012 installer – English Language Version -  http://g.live.com/1rewlive5-all/en/wlsetup-all.exe

Note:  The Direct download link above is for the English language installer. For a different country specific version please replace the ‘en’  in the above link with the local language code.

Revisions:

July 1, 2016: Initial Draft and Publish Date

March 26, 2017:  Added Note on article obsolescence and link with further explanation

Windows Live Messenger – End of Service

Summary:

  Windows Live Messenger will be retired on March 15th 2013 globally everywhere (except mainland China)

Comments:

1. Microsoft Skype is the client replacing Windows Live Messenger

2. Updating to Microsoft Skype will retain your Contacts and the ability to:

• Instant message
• Video call
• Call phones from your devices (PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone, Android mobile, Kindle)
• Share your screen
• Video call and IM with Facebook friends
• Group video call with up to ten friends at once (requires a Skype Premium account)

Subscriber Notification:

• Email notice on January 8, 2013

Additional Information:

So, what’s happening between now and 15th March?

Messenger will continue to work as you know it today. If you are signed in with Messenger on your desktop** you will see a banner notification to upgrade. When you click on the banner, an installer window will open with the request to upgrade. This will take you through our installer flow to install Skype and automatically uninstall Messenger.

So, what’s happening after 15th March?

Messenger users on desktops** will not be able to sign in and will only be able to upgrade to Skype. If you attempt to sign in, a notification will appear, and if you continue, you will be taken through our installer flow to install Skype and automatically uninstall Messenger at the same time. ** Newer versions of Messenger will be able to receive the optional upgrade notifications. Older versions will not receive the notifications and you will have to download Skype manually.

Links:

• Update Now 
• Download (Latest version) – http://www.skype.com/go/getskype/wlm

Revisions:

Jan 8, 2013: Original Published 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

Windows Live Downloads – Version 2

Windows Essentials 2012 and Windows Live Essential 2011 & 2009 downloads are no longer available from the Microsoft servers.  This article’s content has been updated to reflect the end of availability and support and only present for archival and search purposes and to inform the lack of availability of the program(s) on Microsoft Servers.

Also see my related article.

• https://windowsunplugged.blog/2017/03/26/windows-essentials-2012-installer-file-officially-removed-from-microsoft-servers/

 

Summary:

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

Links:

• Windows Essentials 2012 (note name change)
  • Download links for 2013 are for build QFE4 released May 10, 2014(final version)
  • System Requirements and Release Notes for 2012 (suggested reading
• Windows Live Essentials 2011 
  • Download links for 2011 are for build QFE3 released March 2012
• Windows Live Essentials 2009
  • Download links for 2009 are for build QFE3 released May 2010

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.

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

Release Notes (2012 version)  – suggested reading
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/essentials-2012-release-notes

Older version (2009):

Windows Live Essentials 2009  (Earlier version no longer available primarily intended for Windows XP  and Server 2008 compatibility (not recommended for use on Vista, Windows 7/8x/10)

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.

 

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. QFE2 version released May 14, 2013 (Build 16.4.3508.0205)

4. QFE3 version released, digital signature January 23, 2014 (Build 16.4.3522.10)

5. QFE4 version released, digital signature April 7, 2014 (Build 16.4.3528.0331)

• No longer available, removed from Microsoft Servers

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

7. Will remove Live Mesh if installed

8. Will remove Messenger Companion if installed

9. 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)

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

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

10. Windows Live Messenger deprecated (as of April 2013 for all locations except mainland China) but remains included in the installer.  Windows Live Messenger has been replaced by Skype.

If Messenger is installed then after first use a prompt to upgrade to a ‘new version’ of Messenger will appear. The ‘new version’ is Skype.  Thereafter Messenger will cease to function (logon failure, won’t/cease to open)

Upgrading to Skype will uninstall Messenger. Messenger can also be uninstalled manually via the Control Panel (Programs and Features/Windows Essentials 2012)

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 (Final Version, no future updates)

– Build Number 15.4.3555.308  (Installer)

5.  Note: Windows Live Messenger deprecated April 2013 (logon failure, won’t open, uninstall via Control Panel/Programs and Features)

 

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’

• The ‘foreseeable future’ does not mean ‘in perpetuity’; XPSp3 Extended Support ends Apr. 2014
• The ‘foreseeable future’ may not mean until the end of XPSp3 Extended Support(i.e. Plan ahead)

5. Note: Windows Live Messenger deprecated as of April 2013 (logon failure, won’t open, uninstall via the Control Panel/Add-Remove Programs)

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)

May 15, 2013: Updated for Windows Essentials 2012 QFE2; Added comment on Messenger deprecation and necessary upgrade/replacement by Skype.

Oct 13, 2013: Removed obsolete links; updated content for current status

May 22, 2014: Updated for Windows Essentials 2012 QFE4

March 26, 2017: Added leading note on lack of availability from Microsoft for all Windows Essentials and Windows Live Essentials applications

 

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 Essentials 2011 QFE3 Released

Summary:

Windows Live Essentials 2011 QFE3 was released on March 20, 2012. The QFE3 build version is the fourth update to the Windows Live Essentials 2011 (WLE 2011) suite of programs since initial release.

Links:

• Windows Team/Windows Experience Blog Notice for WLE 2011 QFE3
• Windows Live Download Links (Full version and Web Version installers on Microsoft Servers)
• Windows Live Essentials Application Version Numbers

Comments:

• From the Windows Team/Windows Experience Blog

<Quoted Print>
“Today, we released an update for Windows Live Essentials 2011 in all 48 languages.
This minor release includes numerous updates across all of the programs in the Essential package, including Windows Live Messenger, Mail, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, Family Safety, Writer, and Mesh.” In the coming weeks, customers on Windows Vista SP2 and Windows 7 will receive a notification prompting them to upgrade to the new version. Since this release contains critical fixes for the Essentials package, in a few months, the update will become required for all eligible customers.”

• A ‘change log or details of the included updates was not made available by the Windows Live Team or the Windows Team though as in the past  ‘under-the-hood’ related changes for stability, reliability, better integration and robustness across the WLE 2011 suite of applications, integration with the cloud (e.g. Hotmail, SkyDrive, connected or available 3rd party social services) and Windows 8 and/or IE10 would be expected.
• Rudi R (Microsoft Anwsers Forum Moderator) provided some ‘Additional details’ in an unlikely-hard-to-find place (Microsoft Answers/Messenger Forum-April 3, 2012) on the included changes in WLE 2011 QFE3.  (Click ‘Additional details’ for a snapshot of the Microsoft Answers information).
• Consistent with past practice no significant changes to useability features are really noticeable though users may notice during signon to Windows Live Messenger an additional option to register your pc as a Trusted PC. (Trusted PC is an account managment tool/Security Proof to aid account recovery/Password Reset). Imo, it would be prudent to understand and use Trusted PC if your pc is a private/not shared pc.
• The Windows Live Installer is version 15.4.3555.0308

 

Revisions:
March 20, 2012: Original Draft date
March 21, 2012: Original Publish date
March 22, 2012: Updated to include links (Notice, Download and Version Numbers)
April 11, 2012: Updated to include references to QFE3 changes (Microsoft Answers) and ‘Trusted PC’

 

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 Profile – Private Message Feature Discontinued

Summary:

• Effective April 21, 2011 the ‘Private Message’ option on a user’s (Live ID) Windows Live Profile was discontinued
• Effective May 2011 the Live Profile Private Message stand-alone page will cease to exist

Notification:

Information regarding the discontinuance of this feature and a recommendation to copy existing private messages for archival purposes are visible/accessible from the user’s Live ID Profile.

1. Windows Live Profile (when attempting to send a private message to a contact/friend)

2. Windows Live Profile Private Message page

Comments:

1. As of April 22, 2011 12:00am PST information on the above noted policy change does not appear to be present on the Windows Live Solution Center ‘Live Profile Portal’
2. This change does not appear to impact the ability for receiving permissioned ‘Comments’ (Who can contact me) to ‘Messenger Social ‘ updates on the user’s Profile
3. Contact via email, instant message, or invitation is still available provided the Live ID is permissioned accordingly.
4. This change (removal of Private Messaging in the web user interface) coincides with the removal of the ability to create and/or reply to ‘Notes’ on a Windows Live Profile. For more detailed information on the  ‘Notes’ see this related article ‘Windows Live Profile – Notes Discontinued

Revisions:

April 22, 2011: Original Published (draft)

April 23, 2011: Published and updated comments to add link for ‘Windows Live Profile – Noted Discontinued’

Windows Live Profile – Notes Feature Discontinued

Summary:

• Effective April 21, 2011 the ‘Notes’ option on a user’s (Live ID) Windows Live Profile was discontinued
• Effective May 2011 the Live Profile Notes stand-alone page will cease to exist

Notification:

Information regarding the discontinuance of this feature and a recommendation to copy existing notes for archival purposes are visible/accessible from the user’s Live ID Profile

1. Live ID Profile Home page

2. Live ID Profile Notes page

Comments:

1. As of April 22, 2011 12:00am PST information on the above noted policy change does not appear to be present on the Windows Live Solution Center ‘Live Profile Portal’
2. This change does not appear to impact the ability for receiving permissioned ‘Comments’ (Who can contact me) to ‘Messenger Social ‘ updates on the user’s Profile
3. Contact via email, instant message, or invitation is still available provided the Live ID is permissioned accordingly

Revisions:

April 22, 2011: Original Published Date

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 Essentials 2011 Application Version Numbers

Summary:

• Version numbers for the Windows Live Essentials 2011 latest release – QFE3 (Mar 20, 2012)
• Version numbers for the Windows Live Essentials 2011 QFE2 (July 7, 2011)
• Version numbers for the Windows Live Essentials 2011 – QFE1 (Dec 1, 2010)
• Version numbers for the Windows Live Essentials 2011 Initial release – Gold (Sept 30, 2010)

Version Numbers:

• Windows Live Essentials (QFE3) – Released to the web (RTW) on Mar 20, 2012

 1.   Windows Live Essentials Installer  –  15.4.3555.0308

– required to update any Live Essential application

– as of Mar 20, 2012 this version replaces the earlier QFE2 version

2.   Windows Live Mail  –  15.4.3555.0308

3.   Windows Live Messenger  –  15.4.3555.308

4.   Windows Live Photo Gallery  –  15.4.3555.308

5.   Windows Live Movie Maker  –  15.4.3555.0308

6.   Windows Live Mesh  –  15.4.3555.308

7.   Windows Live Writer  –  15.4.3555.308

8.  Windows Live Mesh Active X Control for Remote Connections – 15.4.5722.2

9. Outlook Hotmail Connector* – 14.0.5118.5000 (Outlook updates to 14.0.6106.5001)

10.  Outlook Social Connector Provider for Windows Live Messenger* – 14.0.5120.5000

  * Items (9.) and (10.) are part of the Outlook Connector Pack option in the WLE installer and offered (pre-checked to install) if Outlook is present

• Windows Live Essentials 2011 (QFE2) – Released to the web (RTW) on July 7, 2011

1.   Windows Live Installer  –  15.4.3538.513  (required to update any Live Essential application) – (replaced by above QFE3)

2.   Windows Live Mail  –  15.4.3538.0513
3.   Windows Live Messenger  –  15.4.3538.513
4.   Windows Live Photo Gallery  –  15.4.3538.513
5.   Windows Live Movie Maker  –  15.4.3538.0513
6.   Windows Live Mesh  –  15.4.3538.0513
7.   Windows Live Writer  –  15.4.3538.513
8.   Bing Toolbar  –  7.0.619.0
9.   Windows Live Mesh Active X Control for Remote Connections  –  15.4.5722.2
10.  Outlook Hotmail Connector  (32 bit/64 bit)  –  14.0.5117.500

Other related or available (but not included) ‘social’ applications:
11. Outlook Social Connector (32/64 bit) –  14.0.5130.5000 or later upgrade via Microsoft Update or Office prompt
12. Outlook Social Connector Provider for Windows Live Messenger –  14.0.5120.5000

Notes: (Re: Items 10, 11, 12)
10. Only available via the WLE QFE2 installer if Outlook is installed
– if Outlook is installed the WLE QFE2 installer default will be checked (Yes, install)
11. Not included in WLE QFE2 Installer
– Included with Office 2010 (not installed by default, requires user installation and Outlook)
– Not included in Outlook 03/07 requires download and manual install
– Does not require Outlook Hotmail Connector
12. Not included in WLE QFE2 Installer
– Requires download and manual install
– Can only be installed if Outlook and the Social Connector are already installed
– Once installed requires Live ID setup/connect (Username/PW)
– Does not require Outlook Hotmail Connector

See ‘Additional Information’ section below for comments on the Office Hotmail Connector, Social Connector and Social Connector Provider for Windows Live Messenger

• Windows Live Essentials 2011 (QFE1) – Released to the web (RTW) on Dec 1, 2010

1.   Windows Live Installer – 15.4.3502.922
2.   Windows Live Mail – 15.4.3508.1109
3.   Windows Live Messenger – 15.4.3508.1109
4.   Windows Live Photo Gallery – 15.4.3508.1109
5.   Windows Live Movie Maker – 15.4.3508.1109
6.   Windows Live Mesh – 15.4.3502.0922
7.   Windows Live Writer – 15.4.3508.1109
8.   Bing Toolbar –  6.3.2322.0
9.   Microsoft Silverlight – 4.0.51204.0 (latest version via Windows Update Dec 2010)
10. Microsoft Outlook Hotmail Connector 14.1 (32 bit) – installs as 14.0.5117.5000
11. Microsoft Outlook Hotmail Connector 14.1 (64 bit) – installs as 14.0.5118.5000
12. Microsoft Outlook Social Connector (32/64 bit) – 14.0.4761.1000
– 14.0.5120.5000 via KB 2289116 during install
13. Microsoft Outlook Social Connector Provider for Windows Live Messenger – 14.0.5120.5000

• The ‘Outlook Hotmail Connector’ is included with the Windows Live Essentials Installer
• The ‘Outlook Social Connector’ is not included in the Windows Live Essentials Installer.  Version numbers for the ‘Outlook Social Connector’  are included for reference only.
• See ‘Additional Information’ section below for comments on the Office Hotmail Connector, Social Connector and Social Connector Provider for Windows Live Messenger

• Windows Live Essentials 2011 (Initial release) – Released to the web(RTW) on Sept 30, 2010

1.   Windows Live Installer – 15.4.3502.922
2.   Windows Live Mail – 15.4.3502.0922
3.   Windows Live Messenger – 15.4.3502.922
4.   Windows Live Photo Gallery – 15.4.3502.922
5.   Windows Live Movie Maker – 15.4.3502.0922
6.   Windows Live Mesh – 15.4.3502.0922
7.   Windows Live Writer – 15.4.3502.922
8.   Bing Toolbar –  6.3.2322.0
9.   Microsoft Silverlight – 4.0.50917.0 (4.0.51204.0 via Windows Update Dec 2010)
10. Microsoft Outlook Hotmail Connector 14.1 (32 bit) – installs as 14.0.5117.5000
11. Microsoft Outlook Hotmail Connector 14.1 (64 bit) – installs as 14.0.5118.5000
12. Microsoft Outlook Social Connector (32/64 bit)  – 14.0.4761.1000
– updated to 14.0.5120.5000 during install or via Microsoft Update KB 2289116
13. Microsoft Outlook Social Connector Provider for Windows Live Messenger – 14.0.5120.5000

Additional Information:

• The Outlook Hotmail Connector can be deselected during the Windows Live Essentials installation process
• The Outlook Hotmail Connector is only installed by the Windows Live Essentials Installer if Office Outlook 2003/2007/2010 is currently installed
• The Outlook Social Connector (32 or 64 bit) is included with Office 2010 (32 or 64 bit Office versions).
• Outlook Social Connector (32 bit)  must be installed manually for use with Outlook 2003/2007 and also independent of the Windows Live Essentials Installer
• The Outlook Social Connector Provider for Windows Live Messenger can only installed if the Outlook Social Connector is currently installed

Revisions:

Oct 15, 2010: Original Draft Date
Dec 8, 2010:  Updated draft version for QFE1 Release and optional application build numbers
Jan 10, 2011: Original Published Date
July 8, 2011: Updated for QFE2 Release

Mar 20, 2012: Updated for QFE3 Release

Windows Live Downloads

Windows Live Essentials 2011 and 2009 Downloads are no longer available from the Microsoft servers.  This article content is obsolete and only present for archival and search purposes and to inform the lack of availability of the programs on Microsoft Servers.

 

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 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

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

Windows Live Essentials Wave 4 Beta

Note: Windows Live Wave 4 Beta (Windows Live Essentials 2011 Beta)  is no longer available since the release of the initial public version as of Sept 30, 2010. The ‘Download’ link below is now redirected to a blog entry with links for the current available production versions (2011 QFE2 and 2009 QFE3).

Summary:

• Windows Live Essentials Wave 4 beta was announced on June 23, 2010
• Windows Live Essentials Wave 4 beta will be  was available on June 24, 2010
• Windows Live Essentials Wave 4 beta includes Windows Live Mail, Messenger, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, Writer, Sync, Family Safety, and Bing Bar
• Requires Vista or Windows 7 (i.e. XP is not compatible) – See full System Requirements Table below
• Initial language availability – English, French, Dutch, Japanese, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish

Reference:

• Windows Live Team Blog – Announcing the new Windows Live Essentials beta!

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_live/b/windowslive/archive/2010/06/23/announcing-the-new-windows-live-essentials-beta.aspx

• Download location – Windows Live Downloads  (this link now redirects to downloads for the current versions)

 —>  https://liveunplugged.wordpress.com/category/windows-live-downloads/

• The Field Guide Live Unplugged – Windows Live Essentials Wave 4 Announced

System Requirements:

Component	Requirement
Operating System	Operating System One of the following: Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit editions) Windows Vista with Service Pack 2 Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit editions) Windows Server 2008 Note: Windows XP is not supported in Wave 4
Processor	For Windows Vista or Windows 7: 1.6 GHz or higher
Memory	Vista or Windows 7: 1GB of RAM or higher
Resolution	Minimum 1024 x 576
Internet Connection	Internet functionality requires dial-up or broadband internet access (provided separately). Local or long-distance charges may apply.
Browser	Internet Explorer 7 or Internet Explorer 8.
Graphics or Video Card	Windows Live requires a video card that supports DirectX 9.0 or higher, and Shader Model 2.0 or higher.
Prerequisite Software	These components are required and will be downloaded and installed if they’re not already on your computer: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 or higher*

Comments:

1. Bookmark the Windows Live Team blog(or subscribe to the RSS feed) for information on changes to expected availability
2. See the blog article referenced above ‘Windows Live Essentials Wave 4 Announced’ for links to additional documentation
3. The entire suite of Windows Live Essential Products uses the Ribbon Interface(UI)
4. Snapshots of the Ribbon UI in Windows Live Mail can be viewed here: –> Windows Live Mail Wave 4 – Ribbon GUI

Revisions:

June 23, 2010: Original Publish Date

January 28, 2012: Removed defunct tags, updated tags, Updated ‘Download’ links to redirect to the current available versions.

Windows Live Essentials 2009 Application Version Numbers

Summary:

• Latest Version numbers as of May 12, 2010
• Last planned update for Windows Live Essentials 2009 (Wave 3)
• Last version to support Windows XP
• This version is also referred to as Windows Live Essentials 2009 QFE3

1. Windows Live Installer – 14.0.8117.416
2. Windows Live Mail – 14.0.8117.0416
3. Windows Live Messenger – 14.0.8117.416
4. Windows Live Photo Gallery – 14.0.8117.416
5. Windows Live Writer – 14.0.8117.416
6. Windows Live Movie Maker – 14.0.8117.0416
7. Windows Live Toolbar – 14.00.8117.0416
8. Windows Live Family Safety – 14.0.8118.0427
9. Microsoft Office Live Add-in 1.3 – 2.0.2313.0
10. Microsoft Office Outlook Connector – 12.0.6423.1000 *

* FYI: As of Sept 8, 2010, if version 12 of the Outlook Connector is (was) installed, Office Outlook (2003, 2007, and 2010) will prompt to upgrade to the latest available Outlook Hotmail Connector Version 14,1   32 bit or   64-bit version. The 64 bit version of the Outlook Hotmail Connector is only applicable (and will be installed) if Office/Outlook 2010(not Windows)  is the 64bit version.

The Outlook Hotmail Connector Version 14.1 will show as build 14.0.5117.5000 (32 bit) or 14.0.5118.5000 (64 bit)  when viewed in Outlook’s  ‘About Outlook Hotmail Connector’

• For Outlook 2003, 2007, 2010 (32-bit)
  Outlook Hotmail Connector 14.1 for Outlook 2003, 2007 and 2010 32-bit
• For Outlook 2010 (64-bit):
  Outlook Hotmail Connector 14.1 for Outlook 2010 64-bit

 Additional Detailed Information:

1. Windows Live Messenger Microsoft  MVP Jonathan Kay’s blog
Installing/Uninstalling Windows Live 2009 (Wave 3) QFE 3 applications

2. Windows Live Team Blog
Inside Windows Live
http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_live/b/windowslive/archive/2010/05/12/minor-update-to-essentials-released-today.aspx

3.  Regarding Windows Live Essentials 2009 Version (Wave 3) information referenced on the Windows Live Team Blog

a.  This is the last planned update
b.  This is the  last version that supports Windows XP
c.  Support will continue for the ‘foreseeable future’

• The ‘foreseeable future’ does not mean in perpetuity and may/may not indicate until XP’s Extended Support ceases in April 2014.

Notes:

1. For Windows Live Essentials 2011 version numbers see –>  ‘Windows Live Essentials 2011 Application Version Numbers’
2. Links (for Microsoft servers) to download the latest full version installer and web version installer for both Windows Live Essentials 2011 and 2009 builds are available here: –>  ‘Windows Live Downloads’

Revisions:

April 1, 2008: Original Published Date
Feb 15, 2009: Updated for latest build released Feb 12, 2009
Aug 18, 2009: Updated for latest build released Aug 18, 2009
May 12, 2010: Updated for last Wave 3 build released; last version supporting Windows XP
Sept 8, 2010: Updated with information on the Outlook Hotmail Connector Version 14.1
Feb 20, 2011: Added reference in Summary to QFE3,; added ‘Notes’ section with links to related material

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

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

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

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

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

https://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

Windows Live Unplugged!

 Howdy,

• As of Nov. 6th 2007 Windows Live Mail exited beta testing and was released for public use for Vista and Windows XPSP2.
• The content below provides information on Windows Live Mail and other Live applications

 

What: (Version Numbers for the 2008 released applications  as of Nov-6-2007)

Windows Live Application	Released Build Number
Windows Live Mail	12.0.1606
Windows Live Messenger	8.5.1302.1018
Windows Live Photo Gallery	12.0.1308.1023
Windows Live Writer	12.0.1366.1026
Windows Live Sign-In Assistant	4.200.514.2

Where: (Hot Links for additional information – Overview. Features, System Requirements, and Download)

1. Windows Live Mail
2. Windows Live Messenger
3. Windows Live Photo Gallery
4. Windows Live Writer
5. Windows Live Sign-In Assistant – included in Windows Live Mail or Live Messenger or the unified installer
6. Get Live – Unified Installer for multiple applications (Get.Live.Com)

• Note: The ‘Get Live’ link, once loaded, has an option to choose which application(s) to install and will also be the portal for future released Live applications

 

Additional information:

• Windows Essentails Overview
• Wikipedia’s Overview of Windows Essentials

 

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• Click on an ‘RSS Feed’ icon  in your browser and follow the instructions

 

Adding Comments:

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Coming soon….more Windows Live Unplugged! Hotmail, and MSN articles

 

Revisions:

November 22, 2007: Original Published Date

May 23, 2008: Windows Live Tags Added

Oct 29, 2010: Updated for Word Press tags

June 9, 2014: Updated picture due to MSFT removing LiveSpaces redirect; Removal of obsolete Windows Live Tags.