Windows Live Hotmail

[Bill Leary]

I'm currently using Windows Mail (under Vista Ultimate) and am working,
among others, my ancient (since 1995) paid MSN mail account via POP3/SMTP
with it. That account is also accessible that account via Hotmail. I've
just gotten a notice that I'm going to be "upgraded" to Windows Live
Hotmail. I can do it now, or have it done for me sometime in the near
future. I hear by sometime in November.

Question 1: They say only "premium" accounts can to POP3/SMTP. Is this a
"premium" account?

Question 2: Assuming "yes" to the above, when the upgrade occurs, will it
STILL do POP3/SMTP with Windows Mail?

I'm asking because some of what I've read implies it'll only do POP3/SMTP
with Windows Live Mail. Or may not work at all, even though it's a paid
account. Or may work fine.

- Bill

 

[Bill Leary]

Since you are paying for the account, it is a premium account. Your
account should be the same, but with a "Live ID" name on it now instead
of the "MSN". It should work as it always has with Windows Mail.

So, do my settings for the account's properties remain:

Incoming mail (POP3): pop3.live.com
Outgoing mail (SMTP): smtp.live.come
E-mail username: (e-mail address removed)

or will some of that change?

I would recommend that you switch to Windows Live Mail Beta (WLM)
since you have a Hotmail account.

You know, I've never been entirely clear if I *DO* have a "hotmail" account.
When I talked to Microsoft support, they told me I've got an MSN account
which is accessable through Hotmail. It wasn't clear exactly how they made
the distinction. On the other hand, this was a good two years ago. Maybe
they'd see things differently if I called them now. Or maybe it was just
the two people I talked to who thought there was a difference.

I've been reading the news group on Windows Live Mail and some of the
problems people have reported have me a bit leery* about making the change.
I'm sure I will eventually, but I'm not particularly encouraged to do so
now.

You will not have to worry about your
account working or not since WLM supports Pop3,

As does Windows Mail.

Do you mean I can expect problems if I update/grade Hotmail to Windows Live
Hotmail, but do NOT update Windows Mail to Windows Live Mail ?

IMAP, HTTP website (EX: Hotmail) email, and is a lot more stable.

I'm reading comments which seem to say it does unpredictable things.

Plus, WLM will minimize to a tray bar icon

That's a plus.

and has a separate Inbox for each account.

But, for me, that's not. I prefer one in-box and use message rules to send
messages to specific folders the way I like them. I assume I can use
message rules to send all of my accounts to a single in-box?

WLM will automatically import Windows Mail messages, accounts, and
settings into it. Contacts will have to be manually imported. (Tools,
Contacts,
File, Import, Address book for current Windows User.)

- Bill
_________________
* No pun intended.

 

[Bill Leary]

Hope this helps,

Yes, it does.

Thanks.

- Bill