Microsoft Announces Changes for Accessing Hotmail with Outlook Express

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April 17

Microsoft Announces Changes for Accessing Hotmail with Outlook Express

A change is coming for users that access Hotmail with Outlook Express. Outlook Express uses a protocol called DAV (Distributed Authoring and Versioning protocol) to access a Windows Live™ Hotmail® e-mail account. DAV, like POP3 or IMAP, is the way that a mail client communicates with a web-based mail server.

As of June 30, 2008, Microsoft is disabling the DAV protocol and you will no longer be able to access your Hotmail Inbox via Outlook Express. As an alternative, we recommend that you download Windows Live Mail, a free desktop e-mail client that has the familiarity of Outlook Express and much more.

This next generation of free e-mail software will allow you to easily manage multiple e-mail accounts—including Windows Live Hotmail, plus other e-mail accounts that support POP3/IMAP. Better yet, Windows Live Mail integrates well with other Windows Live services, and downloads in minutes. After you provide your user name and password, you will automatically be linked to your Hotmail account, providing continued access to your email and contacts.

We encourage you to download Windows Live Mail at http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview. We will continue to update this blog with information regarding this move.

To help aid in this transition, we've included some frequently asked questions:

Q: Why are we disabling DAV?
A: DAV is a legacy protocol that is not well suited for client access to large inboxes. Over time, as we’ve increased e-mail storage limits for Windows Live Hotmail customers—and now offer 5GB inboxes for free—a more efficient access protocol is needed.

Q: What are we replacing DAV with?

A: We have developed a new, much more efficient protocol called DeltaSynch that is far superior to DAV especially for large e-mail inboxes. It enables email clients to only download changes since the last time the client polled the email server for changes. This is much more efficient and high performing than having to download all the headers in every folder as is the case with DAV.

Q: Is DeltaSync compatible with Outlook Express?

A: The new protocol unfortunately is NOT supported by Outlook Express and support would require too many changes to the Outlook Express software.

Q: Is there a different or new mail client I can try that uses DeltaSync?

A: Microsoft is providing Windows Live Mail, a free e-mail client that has the familiarity of Outlook Express and much more. This free, next generation e-mail client enables users to easily manage multiple e-mail accounts including Windows Live Hotmail and other e-mail accounts that support POP3/IMAP. Windows Live Mail also integrates well with other Windows Live services, is optimized to work with Windows Live Hotmail, and offers:

· Offline mail

· Windows Live Hotmail account aggregation for those users with multiple Hotmail accounts

· Account aggregation for POP and IMAP mail accounts

· Rich photo-sharing capabilities

· Advanced search via integration with Desktop Search

· Safety tools (Anti-Virus scanning, anti-phishing, anti-spam features across aggregated accounts for customers who do not have an Anti-Virus product)

· Integration with Windows Live services including Windows Live Messenger, Contacts and Spaces

· RSS (Real Simple Syndication) feed aggregation

· Ability to send SMS (short message service) text to a mobile phone from Windows Live Mail

Q: If I have technical issues when switching, where can I find assistance? Is there a tech support hotline?

A: Please visit http://help.live.com.

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Comments (41)

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	David Crosswrote: All, There are still many apps that can bypass micorosft mail server and allow you to CONTINUE to SEND/RECEIVE mail using Windows Mail/OE Ms Outlook 2003/2007... example.. FreePOPs is a highly flexible tool for accessing all kinds of resources — most prominently free web-based email accounts — in any email program through POP. (Windows, Mac, Linux) DON'T FELL hung out to dry there are always solutions May 16
	Hõ†WiRéÐwrote: "Exclusively Microsoft, accessible only via our new protocol", in the post below is my comment, not Microsoft's. I feel quite attached to my Hotmail account, I will try 'Windows Live Mail' - just for my Hotmail account, leaving the other email accounts I have with Outlook (and my Linux OS's), try it for a week (that is if it lets me use it exclusively for my Hotmail account and does not cause any problems). Otherwise Hotmail RIP. May 10
	Hõ†WiRéÐwrote: 'As an alternative, we recommend that you download Windows Live Mail, a free desktop e-mail client that has the familiarity of Outlook Express and much more.' I assume from the statement in the email, that Windows Live Mail is one 'alternative' not the only alternative? If it is the 'only alternative, and Hotmail will only be accessible via Window Live Mail, should it not have its name changed to 'Windows Live Mail' and be done with it? Will other companies be able to write programs to also collect Hotmail emails? 'We have developed a new, much more efficient protocol called DeltaSynch...' Is Deltasynch accessible by other operating systems or only Microsoft? I have been on Hotmail for longer than I can remember (back when it was not Microsoft). Microsoft did a good job looking after it when they appropriated it. Oh, well nothing good lasts forever, I will miss my hotmail address. Maybe the Monopolies Commission will get involved (if they knew about it and the consequences). I cannot see how, when it will have changed so much that it can still be called 'Hotmail'. "Exclusively Microsoft, accessible only via our new protocol"... ...I think i will wait I cannot believe Microsoft would implement this without an 'alternative', they state that 'Windows Live Mail' is an 'alternative, not the 'only alternative' so there MUST be others coming along soon. I note that the Paper-and-Internet News media have been quiet about it. No Big Hoo Hah from them considering how many millions of people this effects. May 10
	HC Waddenwrote: Just wanted to add the simplest solution to this propblem is just say to HELL with hotmail accounts, get a new account from another email system or you service provider, a lot of peps don't realize that most service providers will allow up to five email accounts per customer for no additional charge, check it out, remember why we started hotmail accounts in the first place they are disposable, free and can be discarded at any time, so lets show microsoft just how easy it is to show our discontent. I'm done see ya! May 1
	HC Waddenwrote: Total BS, this is a money grubbing sleezy move by microsoft, they restrict your Outlook from accessing the hotmail accounts however with a new download connector your amazing new Windows Live can access and upload absolutely everything you have associated with your outlook account to their server so you can continue to work without effort, I ask you why do we lock our doors at night, why lock the car or any other private personal space you have, WOW how secure do I feel now all my business, personal, and otherwise private information is right there on the net for Microsoft to determine the best way to use it to their financial advantage, I sure would feel safe and protected won't you, and don't believe they don't sell email lists for a second, Microsoft OWNS or is affiliated with sooooooooo much of the internet based businesses that you cannot expect them to keep your info secure, think about it if you had all that info wouldn't you use it to your advantage, they have to share it to keep on top and maintain their control, trust them with my private info I DON"T THINK SO TIM! By the way this is a perfect example of strongarming you into submission, rather that write a patch or update to Outlook ot Outlook Express to handle the new protocol they simple hang you out to dry without options. I use Outlook as a center for all my business & personal communications, also use a Treo PDA and sync my calanders and contacts daily, this info is critical to me to be kept secure and private, come on Microsoft step up to the plate and do the right thing, Man your guys really disappoint me, enough of my rant you get my point! May 1
	Danwrote: Has any single 1 of you that is whining even considered that you could go sign in and go directly to hotmail to view your mail.... I have a computer running on Windows 2000 that I access my hotmail acct. daily with and have no problems at all & have read that people with computers with Windows 98 can still sign in and read their mail..... Granted I have to use the classic view but I can still access my mail with it..... Window 2000 isn't supported by therefore can't use Windows Live Mail but then WLM is just another mail retrieval program like OE is..... I have never used a mail retrieval program to get my mail yet and that is all that Outlook And Outlook Exspress are is mail retrieval programs.... As for losing your mail you talk like a bunch of idiots.... You may not be able to retrieve your new mail for hotmail mail using Outlook Express but any of the mail that you have retrieved is on your computer and will still be accessible with Outlook Express..... Outlook Express just won't work for retrieving new mail it is not going to quit functioning altogether.... Come on people wake up pull your sulking heads out of your a** and move on....... Think about it hotmail can only block OE from accessing it and can't kill OE or remove any mail that you have uploaded to your computer with OE Apr. 29
	tara wrote: I had to install the WLM client because OE will soon not interface with hotmail accounts and I refuse to do email while online. The worst rubb is when you install WLM, it imports all entries from your address book to WLM contacts. OK- you need them handy to write emails right? Next thing you discover is that when you get/send mail for the first time, all your contacts personal info...addresses, phone numbers is uploaded to the mail server and anywhere else Microsoft decides to put it. There is no way to prevent this blatent breach of privacy! Anyone can hack your contacts and find out who your friends are. This will make it very easy for insurance companies and credit reporting companies to check up on you. Other than this, I don't mind using WLM but forcing/tricking me into revealing my personal information is unacceptable! Apr. 29
	Ornette Wilsonwrote: - I'm with Legal Immigrant here. I'm an Outlook Express user. And I dont have WinXP or higher - I use Win2k mostly as well as WinME on occasions. So, what am I supposed to do? I won't be moving my e-mail account because I am a Hotmail user for 10 years now - thats before Microsoft bought it. As Windows Live Mail is not going to work, can anyone recommend another client that will? Apr. 29
	Legal Immigrant wrote: (No) Thanks for ignoring Windows 2000 while desiging WLM. It's your own OS, and how difficult would it have been to include W2K in your design considerations? All other software vendors like Mozilla etc, plan their software to install on everything from Windows 98 to Vista, why can't you? Apr. 27
	steven broadbentwrote: Lioninoil; what a witty witty comment, remind me never to cross verbal swords with you. It was not a comment about the fact that WebDAV would no longer be useable but more of the disgruntled attitude poeple have about the issue. Although you must be sat there, blood boiling whilst wearing mothers pants. Please please please try to read poeples comment correctly before throwing remarks out of your pram like a shitty nappy. (tard) XXX Apr. 26
	LionInOil wrote: No-Name web-tard wrote: # it reminds me of when i walk past a huddled up small group of mac or linux users This is not about Mac or Linux users, 'tard. This is about Outlook Express and WebDAV becoming unuseable. Try to focus. Apr. 25
	steven broadbentwrote: Its not such a big deal really is it. I read this and it reminds me of when i walk past a huddled up small group of mac or linux users talking as if they are from some suppressed minority. Thats one of them main downfalls about alot of people who have any computer knowlage, feeling like they know best and stating their resentment for aspects that they feel they know best about. Apr. 25
	Drew wrote: I've been using hotmail a long time as well. I've been counting on Daniel Parnell's plug in for Mac mail (http://blog.danielparnell.com/). This change will now force me to move 100% to my gmail account. I saw one post about POP3? Any luck with that? Apr. 25
	R.M. wrote: I think our technical support company is going to see a lot of support requests from this change. To force users to move over to the new Live clientware is going to cause unecessary issues with normal consumers. http://www.kcComputerMasters.com Apr. 24
	No namewrote: Does this change affect Outlook, or only Outlook Express? Apr. 24
	Nicholas Millswrote: I am going to use Izymail, worth £10 a year to carry on useing hotmail with outlook express. That Live mail is for kids and retards. Apr. 24
	RDrr wrote: On Sept. 22, 2007, Omar Shahine (lead program manager, WinLiveMail) posted on a blog the configuration details to access Hotmail via POP from supposedly any client that supports it (like Thunderbird)... I've tried configuring Thunderbird for POP, but when my login is sent, I get an 'Alert' that the pop3 server responded: mailbox not available. Can any other Hotmail PLUS users get this to work? --------------------------------------- Hotmail... ....POP service requires that you use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) with the POP and SMTP connection and use -SMTP- authentication. This is to ensure that your email address and password are not subject to tampering. The settings are the following: POP: pop3.live.com (port 995) SMTP: smtp.live.com (port 25) Note: make sure you check the box that indicates that your -outgoing- server requires authentication (in most mail clients this is not checked by default). Username: your full email address Password: your Windows Live ID password ----------------------------------------------------- Apr. 23
	C.W.¹ wrote: What the...?!?!?! Soooooo Anything and everything that I've saved over the past DECADE will be 'lost'??? WHATEVER MS can kissssssss my assssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss. I live for the day that MS goes down the tubes. HATE this nonsense. Apr. 22
	Roulette wrote: Well, it's been nearly 10 years of hotmail for me. I used it to sign up on literally hundreds of websites. It was mail I could count on no matter how many times I switched ISPs. But, the day you discontinue your DAV support, and force me to switch to your mail client, is also the last day I access this account. There are a number of other free email providers that don't enforce that restriction, and offer superior service. I never bothered switching before because I knew it will be a real pain to do. But this is motivation enough. I like my email client. I don't intend on getting rid of it, especially not through some strong arm tactic to grab market share. It was great while it lasted. Ok, not really. But 'it was mediocre' doesn't have the same ring to it. Apr. 22
	(no name) wrote: c*nting funts... Despite it's shortcomings OE is superbly lightweight and works well fast and with no junk. Been on hotmail for 12 years, guess it's time to switch ... :((((( Apr. 22

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