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Windows Live Mail - the writing on the wall?

Microsoft have announced that any Hotmail, Live, Outlook and MSN e-mail address will cease to work with Windows Live Mail shortly.  This does not mean that variations of @hotmail, @live, @outlook or @msn will stop working, just that they will cease to work with Windows Live Mail.

As Microsoft has taken this major step with its own e-mail accounts, Highway believes that it is only a matter of time before it prevents other e-mail addresses (such as gmail, thway, btinternet, etc.) working with Windows Live Mail.

There are three main alternatives:

1.      Access e-mails through a web browser (Microsoft Edge for example)

2.      Set up e-mails to work with the new Mail app (only available in Windows 8 or 10)

3.      Use another app similar to Windows Live Mail called Thunderbird

Here is a brief summary of each alternative:

1. Use a web browser

By using Microsoft Edge (or other browser) to sign in to outlook.com. This is called web-based e-mail and you can log in to your e-mail account from any computer with an internet connection (but of course you shouldn’t save the password on a ‘public’ computer). 

2. Use the Mail app in Windows 8 or Windows 10

This is a simple app that is already on your Windows 8 or 10 computer.  Contacts (and maybe e-mails, depending on how set up) will need to be copied from Windows Live Mail to the Mail app.  The Mail app has some shortcomings at present (not in the basic functions of e-mail), but we believe that it will improve over time. You would probably need help if setting up the Mail app, as contacts have to be copied to another app called People. 

3. Use the Thunderbird app

Thunderbird is similar to Windows Live Mail (they are both known as ‘e-mail clients’).  If moving to this option, Highway will provide assistance in the download, installation and transfer of e-mail and contacts.


It is the third option that at present gives the most functionality; some may find the currently available Mail app lacking in some features.

Microsoft states that ‘in late June’ the process of moving to their new system begins, which they say will enhance ‘performance, security, and reliability’ but it will stop Windows Live Mail working with Microsoft e-mail accounts.

We will be showcasing Thunderbird in the coming months, as we believe that Windows Live Mail has been convicted, if not already on death row.

 

Phil on 21/6/16
Derrick1 on 29/6/16
THANKS .News to me.. will need help. Plesse

Lyn on 13/7/16
Oh dear, more change! However, thank you for the information. I'll be in touch for advice/help soon....Lyn

Derrick1 on 20/7/16
Thanks derrick cannon.
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