No more hotmail through outlook

[BIZTEC8]

Hi all
Is it only my account or has microsoft decided that it is now time to
upgrade us from free hotmail to subscribed hotmail if we want to use
outlook express.
When I try to set up a new hotmail account via outlook I get the
following message.

Could not connect to Hotmail as *******@hotmail.com.

Hotmail no longer allows email access via Outlook Express for free
email accounts.

Please visit http://www.hotmail.com/oe to learn more.

Account: 'Hotmail', Server:
'http://services.msn.com/svcs/hotmail/httpmail.asp', Protocol:
HTTPMail, Server Response: 'Access to Hotmail via Outlook and Outlook
Express now requires a subscription. Please sign up at
http://upgrade.msn.com', Port: 0, Secure(SSL): No, Error Number:
0x800CCCF6

Any ideas?
dvnt

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

Effective 2004 new accounts were unable to use HTTP. Accounts that used HTTP
regularly should continue to have access as long as they check the account
regularly.

http://www.slipstick.com/addins/services/online.htm#hotmail

 

[Brian Tillman]

Is it only my account or has microsoft decided that it is now time to
upgrade us from free hotmail to subscribed hotmail if we want to use
outlook express.

The latter, and this has been true since September of 2004.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/09/27/HNhotmailoutlook_1.html