Phishing in the Microsoft Windows Live Hotmail Pond

May 21, 2012 3 Comments

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.

HM_PhishScam_00

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.

HM_PhishScam_02

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

Filed under Windows Live Hotmail Tagged with , , , , ,

Windows Live Hotmail – Junk Email Filter Override

May 4, 2011 9 Comments

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.

HM_JMFilterOptions

    • 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)

HM_ByPassJM_MoreOptions  (pic 1)   =======>>>>>> HM_ByPassJM_RulesOption  (pic 2)

2. Select ‘New‘ under ‘Rules for sorting new messages‘  (pic3)

HM_ByPassJM_RulesNew (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)

HM_ByPassJM_RulesCommand(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

Filed under Windows Live Hotmail Tagged with , ,

Windows Live Hotmail – Email Forwarding

December 8, 2010 1 Comment

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.

W4_HM_FwdMoreOptions

  •   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.

W4_HM_FwdManageAcctOptions

  •   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

W4_HM_FwdAddEmailAcct

 

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> )

Filed under Windows Live Hotmail Tagged with , , , , , ,

Creating Nested Folders(Subfolders) in Windows Live Hotmail

November 18, 2010 12 Comments

 

Summary:

  • Nested Folders(Subfolders), folders inside of folders, are available for all Windows Live Hotmail type accounts
  • Windows Live Hotmail ‘type accounts’ are accounts of the form Hotmail.com, Live.com, Msn.com and other country specific derivatives of the same domains(e.g.– Hotmail.co.uk, Hotmail.de, Live.nl, Live.fr, Msn.ca, etc.)
  • Nested Folders(Subfolders) can be created for Hotmail type accounts in the Hotmail web interface
  • Nested Folders(Subfolders) can be created for Hotmail type accounts in Windows Live Mail
  • Nested Folders(Subfolders) can be created inside of any folder(new or existing folders/subfolders including the Deleted folder) in the Hotmail web interface ( http://mail.live.com or http://hotmail.com )
  • Nested Folders(Subfolders) can be created inside of any folder(new or existing folders/subfolders except the root Deleted Items folder) in Windows Live Mail
  • Nested Folders(Subfolders) for Hotmail type accounts synchronize between the Hotmail web interface and Windows Live Mail client(in either direction). Synchronization in Windows Live Mail requires the Hotmail account to be configured to use the Http/DeltaSync protocol, not Pop3).
  • Nested Folders(Subfolders) can not be moved from one folder to another folder in the Hotmail web interface
  • Nested Folders(Subfolders) can be moved from one folder to another folder in Windows Live Mail

Reference:

1. Inside Windows Live
     More Hotmail Updates on the way

Quoted Print:
Organize and find important email with Subfolders
If you like to use folders to organize your important emails and find them more quickly later, you have something in common with nearly 100 million other Hotmail “filers”. The new Hotmail lets you create folders inside of folders to more precisely manage your email, making it easier to quickly find an important message you’ve filed away.

2. Windows Live Solution Center
      Nested Folders (Sub folders) in Windows Live Hotmail

Quoted Print:
Customers will be able to create nested folders (sub folders) under their new/existing folders and also synchronize their sub folders that already exist in their mail clients with Hotmail web experience.

Points to remember:
• Nested folders can be created inside of any folder, including the Deleted items folder.

• When a folder is deleted, Hotmail will move all the messages in the folder and any sub folders of the folder into Deleted items and permanently delete the folders. 

• A sub folder cannot be moved from one parent folder to another parent folder

 

Instructions:

The following illustrates creation of a top level folder(Friends) and nested subfolders within the ‘Friends’ folder

  •   Logon to the Hotmail web interface with a Hotmail type account Live ID
  •   To create the top level folder → Click ‘New folder’   

  W4_HM_NestedFolder_NewFolder

  •   Enter a name for the folder in the ‘Folder Name’ field (e.g. Friends) then click ‘Save’

W4_HM_NestedFolder_CreateSave_TopLevel

  • To create the nested folder (subfolder)  →  Click ‘New folder’, enter a ‘Folder Name’  for the nested folder(subfolder) [e.g. Alice],  then scroll and select ‘Friends’ in the ‘Create in:’ option, finally Click ‘Save’

W4_HM_NestedFolder_CreateSave_Nested

  • If desired, repeat the above steps to create additional subfolders(see below pic)

W4_HM_NestedFolder_CreateDone

 

Hotmail type accounts in Windows Live Mail after Synchronization:

  • Folders and Nested Folders(Subfolders) created in the Hotmail web interface will be mirrored in the respective Windows Live Hotmail account when setup in Windows Live Mail (Version 2011 and 2009)
  • Likewise, Folders and Nested Folders(Subfolders) created in Windows Live Mail will be mirrored in the Hotmail web interface

Note: For the above to occur the Hotmail account must be setup and configured to use the Http (DeltaSync) Protocol.  Folder synchronization between the Hotmail web interface and the Hotmail account in Windows Live Mail(or vice versa) is not possible if the Hotmail account is setup/configured for the Pop3 protocol.

W4_HM_AcctViewedInWLMail

  • Unlike the Hotmail web interface, existing folders/nested folders(subfolders) can be moved(relocated) to other folders in Windows Live Mail(2011 and 2009). To move an existing user created folder or nested folder in Windows Live Mail, select a folder and drag it to the new location.

W4_HM_SelectFolderInWLMail W4_HM_FolderMovedInWLMail

 

  • Side by Side Comparison (Hotmail and Windows Live Mail)

W4_HM-WLM_FoldersAfterSyncl

 

 

Revisions:

Sept 24, 2010: Created original draft

Nov 18, 2010: Original Publish Date

  

 

Clubhouse Tags: Clubhouse, How-To, Hotmail, Hotmail Plus, Mail, Windows Live

Filed under Windows Live Hotmail Tagged with , , , ,

Windows Live Hotmail Vacation Replies Re-Enabled

November 15, 2010 1 Comment

 

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

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

Filed under Windows Live Hotmail Tagged with , , , ,

Windows Live Hotmail – Wave 4 Announced

May 17, 2010

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:

Re-inventing Windows Live Hotmail

The new Hotmail is rolling out out now!

The new Hotmail is now available to everyone

 

Comments:

1. The Windows Team Blog – ‘Inside Windows Live’ site is the suggested site for future information

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

Filed under Windows Live Hotmail Tagged with , , ,

Windows Live Hotmail’s Vacation Replies Option Shut Off

April 9, 2010

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

Filed under Windows Live Hotmail Tagged with , , , ,

MSN Hotmail and Hotmail Plus POP3/SMTP Access

March 12, 2010

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

Filed under MSN Tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

Changes for Accessing Hotmail using the WebDAV Protocol

January 14, 2010

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

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:

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

Filed under Windows Live Hotmail Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How To Access Support for a Hotmail Plus account

October 24, 2008

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:

  • 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

 

Filed under Windows Live Hotmail Tagged with , , ,

WebDAV Protocol Deprecation Delayed – Status Update

May 24, 2008

Notice:

  1. The entry below(‘Summary and thereafter’) will become obsolete as will WebDAV access effective Sept 1, 2009.  On June 2, 2009 Microsoft announced that WebDAV would finally cease to function(effective Sept 1, 2009).
  2. For options that should be done prior to the Sept 1, 2009 WebDAV retirement see –> Changes for Accessing Hotmail using the WebDAV Protocol
  3. Microsoft notifications can be found here

“Important info if you access Hotmail using Outlook, Outlook Express, or Entourage”

and

 “Continuing DAV protocol retirement”  

  • You may also have received notification via an email if your Hotmail account(hotmail.com or msn.com) was using the WebDAV protocol.

 

Summary:   The content below is only being made available for archival purposes.

  • Microsoft announces delay/postponement of previously scheduled transition deadline(June 30th, 2008) for accessing Hotmail accounts using the WebDAV protocol in Outlook Express and Outlook(03/07)

 More Information:

Compliments of the Windows Live Mail Support Team on May 5th, 2008

Windows Live Hotmail Technical Support Blog: Responding to Customer Feedback – Disabling DAV

Note: The above notification(May 5th, 2008) postpones this prior notice(April 17th) about disabling the WebDAV protocol

Comments:

Http servers(see below) supporting the WebDAV protocol in Outlook Express and Outlook(2003/2007) for Hotmail.com and Msn.com accounts when configured for sending/retrieving will continue to function after June 30th, 2008 and until notified otherwise.

 

Http Servers Capable of Accessing the 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

 

Revisions:

May 5, 2008:  Original Published Date

May 8, 2008:  Added Link on original notification(now delayed) regarding disabling WebDAV protocol 

May 24, 2008:  Windows Live Tags added

July 21, 2009: Updated to reflect (a) WebDAV retirement/deprecation effective Sept 1, 2009 and (b) blog entry previous content obsolescence

Filed under Windows Live Hotmail Tagged with , , , ,