Summary:

The WebDAV protocol will no longer be supported effective September 1, 2009

On June 2, 2009 Microsoft announced changes impacting one of the methods to access Hotmail accounts using http servers/settings

Only two remaining protocols DeltaSync and Pop3 will be available for accessing Hotmail type accounts(Hotmail.com, Live.com and Msn.com)

  • DeltaSync uses a unique http server and will be the only htpp 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 and 2007) and MSN Explorer are the only applications that support DeltaSync for Hotmail Accounts

Windows Live Mail, Outlook 2002/2003/2007, 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:

  • 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 to use the DeltaSync server or
  • Reconfigure Windows Live Mail, Outlook 2002/2003/2007, Vista’s Windows Mail, Outlook Express, or another third party email client for Pop3

Hotmail Accounts POP3/SMTP Access Configuration

 

  • Backup any important messages to user created folders in your email client or copy to a Windows Explorer folder. Protect your data!!!!

Note:

  • Options (1) and (2) 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 or the OLC, synchronized with the web interface(http://mail.live.com or http://hotmail.com) and available in both locations(local and web)
  • Option (3) will not provide synchronization with the web interface(i.e. No mirrored folders or messages)
  • Option (3) by design will remove messages from the web server Inbox and place a copy in the Hotmail web interface’s Deleted folder and eventually automatically deleted(usually within a few days).  To override, ensure that the Pop3 email client is configured to leave messages on the server.

What will happen if still using WebDAV on Sept 1, 2009:

  • Access to your email in your Hotmail Inbox and other folders will cease
  • Attempting to synchronize with a non existent WebDAV server will most likely result in zero messages in your email client’s prior configured WebDAV Hotmail account and folders(no server, no sync, i.e. no messages) – c.f. this occurred a few years ago when free Hotmail accounts lost WebDAV access.

Http Servers Impacted that use the WebDAV protocol:

  • Two servers have been in use with Outlook Express and Outlook(2003/2007) 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 (see below for info on the required Outlook Connector)
  • Windows Live Mail using the WebDAV protocol(Hotmail accounts migrated from Outlook Express when using the WebDAV protocol or exported from Outlook Express and imported into WLM via an Outlook Express created *.iaf file) 

Known Email Client Software/Method Not Impacted:

  • Windows Live Mail using DeltaSync
  • Windows Live Mail, Outlook 2002/2003/2007, 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 (DeltaSync compliant)
  • Outlook 2003/2007 when using the current Outlook Connector
    • The Outlook Connector latest version is available on the Microsoft Download site.
    • The download is dated March 29, 2009 and is Version 12.1 (12.0.6423)

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 )

May 24, 2008: Windows Live Tags added

July 21, 2009: Updated Summary, More Info(recent notices), What ‘If’ scenarios, and corresponding links.