INTRODUCTION:
By now, many of you know that I am a huge proponent of “cloud computing”.  As the online universe continues to evolve, this cleverly coined concept will continue to define our digital destiny.

Be that as it may, as a visually impaired person using both screen reading software such as Mobile Speak (Mobile Phones) and Jaws (Desktop/Note Book PCs) as well as Screen magnifying software such as ZoomText, I find accessing web-based email, in the “cloud” as it were, slow and inefficient at best, unsatisfying and tiring at worst. 

In a previous article I posted entitled “Email Me One More Time”, I discuss how the iMAP (iMAP4: Internet Message Access Protocol) as opposed to the POP (POP3: Post Office Protocol) has significantly shortened the gap between web-based email access via a web browser such as Fire Fox and locally installed email clients such as MS Outlook for those not fortunate enough to be on an MS Exchange service, truly the Cadillac of online communication vehicles.

In its infinite wisdom (not), Microsoft does not allow iMAP access to those using Windows Live Hotmail, MSN, or anything else Microsoft.  Further, those wishing to access Live Hotmail through an email client can only do so via POP and only after upgrading to a Windows Live Hotmail Plus account at the cost of $19.95 per year.

Now, let me say that I have no problem with the upgrade cost as paying it insures that my Microsoft Live account will not be deleted due to inactivity and, more importantly, it removes any advertisements from any messages sent or received.  

You may be wondering why a person like me, who owns and manages several email and web servers, would want to use a Microsoft Windows Live account.  There are several reasons but perhaps the most significant is the fact that using a Windows Live Hotmail account streamlines the Microsoft Mesh experience.  Oh yeah, and I like having an email address with the domain of “live.com”.  (Smile) 

Like Google, Microsoft offers an ever increasing array of free online services such as Calendar and Contacts synchronization.  Unlike Google, however, Microsoft makes any online synchronization convoluted and, at times, down right painful; at least until now. 

It is my hope that, after reading this article, you will discover that oh-so-elusive silver lining in the Microsoft online cloud.

NOTE 1:
The following assumes that you have a Windows Live I.D or a Windows Live Hotmail account ending with any of the Microsoft branded domain names such as live.com, hotmail.com or msn.com.  If you wish to obtain a Windows Live I.D. go to:
http://get.live.com/.

NOTE 2:
This article will not cover every method of accessing Windows Live but only those I deem most relevant to mobile device consumers who do not wish to become I.T. professionals. 

NOTE 3:
The primary purpose of this article is to discuss email synchronization.  Therefore, Calendar and Contacts synchronization will not be covered.

NOTE 4:
This article assumes that you are using Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or later.

ACCESSING YOUR FREE MICROSOFT BRANDED EMAIL ACCOUNT ON YOUR WINDOWS MOBILE DEVICE

Assuming your mobile device did not ship with Windows Live Services or Pocket MSN, Click Here to download the plug-in from Microsoft.  This simple plug-in extends the functionality of the messaging application already installed on your device.  Be sure to select the correct version for your device.  Once you have successfully downloaded the CAB file:

1.
Copy the file to your mobile device. 

2.
On your mobile device, locate the file via File Explorer and launch it by first selecting it and then pressing either the Left Soft key or the [Enter] button on your device.  This will begin the installation process.  Follow the on-screen directions until the process has successfully been completed.

NOTE 5:
The following is for Windows Mobile 6 for non-touch screen devices (Standard) but the process is nearly identical for touch screen (Professional) devices.

1.
From the Start Menu, select Messaging.

2.
Click New E-mail Account to start the setup process.

3.
Now enter the entire email address you wish to use for this account and click Next. You can set up a wide range of e-mail accounts, such as Web-based e-mail or e-mail from your broadband provider.

4.
Make sure there is a checkmark in the “Try to get e-mail settings automatically” checkbox.

5.
Click Next, and the Auto Setup wizard automatically enters your server settings.

NOTE 6:
If Auto Setup can’t locate your server settings, you can check your settings and enter them manually.

6.
Now enter the name you want recipients to see when receiving emails from this account.  If you want to use a different name, you should change it here.

7.
Click Next.

8.
The auto Setup wizard will have already entered your user name.  Therefore all you need do, at this point, is to enter your password.

9.
Place a checkmark in the Save Password checkbox.  If you do not select this box, you will have to enter your password each time you send and receive e-mails in this account.

10.
Click Next.

NOTE 7:
If you would like to change your e-mail settings, such as how much e-mail to download, click Review all download settings. Otherwise, click Finish to start downloading messages. If you have not changed your download settings, you will download e-mail from the past three days, only. If you click “Finish” at this point, skip the next step.

NOTE 8:
If you choose to Review all download settings, you can change the default message format, message size download limit, and whether to allow e-mail attachments to be automatically downloaded.

NOTE 9:
Your account name appears at the top of the display screen, making it easy to see which e-mail Inbox you are currently viewing.  You can use your navigator to see inboxes for other e-mail accounts as well.

Congratulations!  Now, everything you do with your Windows Live Hotmail account on a computer will be automatically synchronized with your mobile device and vice versa.  Yes, you will be notified when you receive new email messages in this account.
ACCESSING WINDOWS LIVE HOTMAIL ON YOUR DESKTOP/NOTEBOOK COMPUTER:

The simplest way to access your Windows Live Hotmail account is to use your computer’s web browser and go to any one of a number of Microsoft branded sites such as live.com, mail.live.com or msn.com.

Those using MS Outlook 2003 or later may synchronize their local data with their online Windows Live account by downloading a free Microsoft utility called connector.  While this is certainly a popular option, generally, I resist installing such utilities such as Connector.  Why?  Because I find that doing so limits data portability.  Also, I hate installing program after program after program on my overworked and underpaid computers.  So, as you have already most likely guessed, I have not and will not use Microsoft Connector. 

As stated above, Microsoft does not offer iMAP or POP email access to its nonpaying subscribers.

No problem, many desktop email clients such as Thunderbird and MS Outlook allows you to access your web-based email accounts via the HTTP protocol.  In effect, accessing your account by way of HTTP in an email client is virtually indistinguishable from accessing it via iMAP.

NOTE 10:
You must upgrade your free Windows Live Hotmail account to a premium (Hotmail Plus) account in order to access the account in a non-MS Connector locally installed email client.  To do this, Click Here.

Once your account has been successfully upgraded, do the following:

NOTE 11:
The following steps are for MS Outlook 2003 installed on Windows XP but are similar for other email clients.

NOTE 12:
Make sure you have closed all instances of MS Outlook running on your computer before proceeding.

1.
Make sure you have a valid Windows Live premium (Hotmail Plus) subscription for Windows Live services.

2.
From the Control Panel, select Mail.

3.
Click the [Show Profiles] button.

4.
Click the [Add] button to create a new profile.

5.
Enter a name for this profile in the text edit box and then click the [OK] button.  The add new email account wizard will appear.

6.
Make sure the Add New Email Account radio button is selected and then click the [Next] button.

7.
Under server settings, choose HTTP and then click the [Next] button.

8.
Enter your account details in the E-mail Accounts dialog box.
 
9.
In the Name field, enter the name you wish recipients to see when your messages arrive in their Inboxes.

10.
In the email field, enter your complete email address.

11.
From the HTTP email service drop down list, choose either Hotmail or MSN.  I suggest that you first choose Hotmail; however, MSN may be the correct selection.

12.
In the username field, enter your entire Microsoft branded email address.

13.
In the password field, enter the password for this account.

14.
Select to Remember password.

15.
Select Logon using secure password.

16.
Click the [More Settings] button.

17.
Enter the name by which you wish to refer to this account.

18.
Click the [OK] button.

19.
Click the [Finish] button.

20.
If you have more than one profile setup on this computer, make sure the “Prompt for Profile” checkbox is checked. 

21.
Click the [Close] button.

Congratulations!  You now have virtual iMAP Windows Live Hotmail access on your computer.

Enjoy,

Mark