Access to so-called 'unread' (Hot)mail messages

[Guest]

My log-on screen shows 21 'unread' messages, all on my Hotmail account. But
it's not true - I have accessed Hotmail from elsewhere and cleared these out.
I also can't get to Hotmail through the Web (I use Outlook with another mail
provider). How can I get rid of this 'unread mail' message and get to Hotmail
via the Web - I presume these two problems are linked. I can get to Hotmail
from other computers. Many thanks.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

Download TweakUI from
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp and when
installed go to Programs>Powertoys for Windows XP>Tweak UI - then go to
Logon>Unread Mail - disable it in the right hand pane.

Otherwise the Unread Mail can be disabled via the Registry - navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UnreadMail\[Youremailaddress],
double click on 'MessageCount' - in the right hand pane - and change the
value to 0(Zero).

 

[WTC]

My log-on screen shows 21 'unread' messages, all on my Hotmail
account. But
it's not true - I have accessed Hotmail from elsewhere and cleared
these out.
I also can't get to Hotmail through the Web (I use Outlook with
another mail
provider). How can I get rid of this 'unread mail' message and get to
Hotmail
via the Web - I presume these two problems are linked. I can get to
Hotmail
from other computers. Many thanks.

You can Dowload TweakUI and repair the message count.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
Then you would find the option here:
Repair>Repair Unread Mail Count

Overview of the Mail Notification Display on the Windows XP Welcome
Screen
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=304148/

 

[Guest]

Thanks. How do I navigate to the Registry? I have tried the IU tweak without
success.

 

[R. McCarty]

Regedit.Exe - Either type into the Run box or create a shortcut and
simply set the location to Regedit.Exe, which defaults to the system
path of C:\Windows\System32.
One general rule for Registry editing is to always Export any Key or
value you intend to modify. Doing this allows you to undo any change
that doesn't work out as intended. Exported keys default to your
My Documents folder with a .Reg extension.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

If you don't know how to access the Registry, you perhaps shouldn't going in
there. Altering the wrong value can render your PC unbootable!!

 

[Don MI]

My log-on screen shows 21 'unread' messages, all on my Hotmail account.
But
it's not true - I have accessed Hotmail from elsewhere and cleared these
out.
I also can't get to Hotmail through the Web (I use Outlook with another
mail
provider). How can I get rid of this 'unread mail' message and get to
Hotmail
via the Web - I presume these two problems are linked. I can get to
Hotmail
from other computers. Many thanks.

Response to:
" I also can't get to Hotmail through the Web"

What happens when you try?

A frequent problem with web access is your cookie settings. Hotmail
requires two msn.com cookies to operate. One of the msn.com cookies my
Internet Explorer 6 classes as a primary cookie and if your are not
accepting the cookie you cannot log-in. The other my Internet Explorer 6
classes as third party cookie {do not know why}. I have Internet Explorer
accept primary cookies and ask for third party cookies. Recently, I could
log-in but could not go to my inbox. I found that I had carelessly always
blocked msn.com in my Site list for third party cookies. This may not be
your problem, but more information on what happens when you try web access
would help.

Don

 

[Plato]

My log-on screen shows 21 'unread' messages, all on my Hotmail account. But
it's not true - I have accessed Hotmail from elsewhere and cleared these out.

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootlist/136.htm#2