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E-mail Account Management

Step-by-step instructions are available to help you:

MSN® Mail

MSN Mail Using Outlook Express

MSN Mail Using MSN Premium Browser

Troubleshooting

Outlook® Express

Can I use Outlook to send and receive my MSN® Mail?
Yes, you can configure Outlook Express to send and receive MSN Mail. 

How do I configure Microsoft® Outlook Express 5.0 or 5.5 to send and receive my MSN or Q.com e-mail manually?

Qwest recommends that Qwest® by Windows Live™ customers use the Windows Live Mail client for sending and receiving e-mail. However, if you need to use Outlook Express, the following instructions can be used to set up your e-mail.

  1. From the Outlook Express Tools menu, select Accounts.
  2. Select Add, then select Mail.
  3. For the Display Name, type your name as you want your e-mail recipients to see it when they receive messages from you.
  4. Select I already have an e-mail address that I'd like to use. Type in your MSN e-mail address (e.g. someone@msn.com). Select Next.
  5. Select POP3 as the server.
  6. For the Incoming mail server, type pop3.live.com.
  7. For the Outgoing mail server, type smtp.live.com. Select Next.
  8. For Account name, type your MSN e-mail address (e.g. someone@msn.com).
  9. Type your MSN e-mail password. Then select Next.
  10. Select Finish.
  11. Find the new e-mail account on the Internet Accounts window and select it. Click Properties.
  12. On the Servers tab, select the My server requires authentication checkbox.
  13. Click the Settings button and then the Log on using radio button.
  14. For Account name, type your MSN e-mail address (e.g. someone@msn.com).
  15. Type your MSN e-mail password. Then select the Remember password checkbox and click OK.
  16. Select the Advanced tab.
  17. Under Server Port numbers, select both of the This server requires an encrypted connection (SSL) checkboxes. If Outgoing mail (SMTP) shows a number other than 25, enter 25 in the box. If Incoming mail (POP3) shows a number other than 995, enter 995 in the box.
  18. Note: If you plan on accessing your e-mail from somewhere other than Outlook (Hotmail.com, etc), check the Leave a copy of message on server checkbox. Otherwise, e-mail will only be accessible through Outlook.
  19. Click OK and then click Close.

How do I configure Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0 to send and receive my MSN or Q.com e-mail manually?

Qwest recommends that Qwest® by Windows Live™ customers use the Windows Live Mail client for sending and receiving e-mail. However, if you need to use Outlook Express, the following instructions can be used to set up your e-mail.

  1. From the Outlook Express Tools menu, select Accounts.
  2. Select Add, then select Mail.
  3. For the Display Name, type your name as you want your e-mail recipients to see it when they receive messages from you.
  4. Type in your MSN e-mail address (e.g. someone@msn.com). Select Next.
  5. Select POP3 as the server.
  6. For the Incoming mail server, type pop3.live.com.
  7. For the Outgoing mail server, type smtp.live.com. Select Next.
  8. For Account name, type your MSN e-mail address (e.g. someone@msn.com).
  9. Type your MSN e-mail password. Then select the Remember password checkbox and click Next.
  10. Select Finish.
  11. Find the new e-mail account on the Internet Accounts window and select it. Click Properties.
  12. On the Servers tab, select the My server requires authentication checkbox.
  13. Click the Settings button and then the Log on using radio button.
  14. For Account name, type your MSN e-mail address (e.g. someone@msn.com).
  15. Type your MSN e-mail password. Then select the Remember password checkbox and click OK.
  16. Select the Advanced tab.
  17. Under Server Port numbers, select both of the This server requires an encrypted connection (SSL) checkboxes. If Outgoing mail (SMTP) shows a number other than 25, enter 25 in the box. If Incoming mail (POP3) shows a number other than 995, enter 995 in the box.
  18. Note: If you plan on accessing your e-mail from somewhere other than Outlook (Hotmail.com, etc), check the Leave a copy of message on server checkbox. Otherwise, e-mail will only be accessible through Outlook.
  19. Click OK and then click Close.

How do I import an Outlook Express or America Online address book?

  1. On the MSN menu bar, select Help & Settings. Then select E-Mail Settings.
  2. Select Import E-Mail or Address Book. Then select Import Address Book.
  3. Follow the steps in the Import Wizard. Then select Done.
    • If you import a contact that is already in your MSN address book, the imported contact will automatically be assigned a unique quickname, composed of the original contact name followed by a number.
    • MSN imports one e-mail address per contact.  If the contact has more e-mail addresses, you’ll need to add those addresses manually in your MSN address book.

How do I import existing Outlook Express e-mail?

  • Open your MSN mail. On the MSN navigation bar, select Mail & More. Then select MSN Mail.
  • On the MSN menu, select Help & Settings. Then select E-Mail Settings.
  • Select Import E-Mail or Address Book. Then select Import E-Mail Messages.
  • Follow the steps in the Import Wizard, and then select Done.

How do I configure Microsoft Outlook XP to send and receive my MSN or Q.com e-mail manually?

Qwest recommends that Qwest® by Windows Live™ customers use the Windows Live Mail client for sending and receiving e-mail. However, if you need to use Outlook Express, the following instructions can be used to set up your e-mail.

  1. From the Outlook XP Tools menu, select E-mail Accounts.
  2. Select Add a new e-mail account. Select Next.
  3. Select POP3 and then select Next.
  4. In Your Name, type your name as you want your e-mail recipients to see it when they receive messages from you.
  5. In E-mail Address, type your MSN account name (someone@msn.com).
  6. For the Incoming mail server, type pop3.live.com.
  7. For the Outgoing mail server, type smtp.live.com.
  8. For User Name, type your MSN e-mail address (e.g. someone@msn.com).
  9. Type your MSN e-mail password. Then select the Remember password checkbox.
  10. Select the More Settings button.
  11. In the Internet E-Mail Settings dialog box, click the Outgoing Server tab.
  12. Check the My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication checkbox, then select Use the same settings as my incoming mail server.
  13. Click the Advanced tab.
  14. Under Server Port numbers, select both of the This server requires an encrypted connection (SSL) checkboxes. If Incoming Server (POP3) shows a number other than 995, enter 995 in the box. If Outgoing Server (SMTP) shows a number other than 25, enter 25 in the box.
  15. Note: If you plan on accessing your e-mail from somewhere other than Outlook (Hotmail.com, etc), check the Leave a copy of message on server checkbox. Otherwise, e-mail will only be accessible through Outlook.
  16. Select OK to close the menu.
  17. Select Next on the E-Mail Accounts screen. Then select Finish.

How do I configure Microsoft Outlook 2007 to send and receive my MSN or Q.com e-mail manually?

Qwest recommends that Qwest® by Windows Live™ customers use the Windows Live Mail client for sending and receiving e-mail. However, if you need to use Outlook Express, the following instructions can be used to set up your e-mail.

  1. From the Outlook 2007Tools menu, select Account Settings.
    2. Accounts.
  2. On the Email tab, select New.
  3. Select POP3 and then select Next.
  4. Select Manually configure server settings or additional server types and click Next.
  5. Select Internet E-mail and click Next.
  6. In Your Name, type your name as you want your e-mail recipients to see it when they receive messages from you.
  7. In E-mail Address, type your MSN account name (e.g. someone@msn.com).
  8. For the Incoming mail server, type pop3.live.com.
  9. For the Outgoing mail server, type smtp.live.com.
  10. For User Name, type your MSN e-mail address (e.g. someone@msn.com).
  11. Type your MSN e-mail password. Then select the Remember password checkbox.
  12. Select the More Settings button.
  13. In the Internet E-Mail Settings dialog box, click the Outgoing Server tab.
  14. Check the My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication checkbox, then select Use the same settings as my incoming mail server.
  15. Click the Advanced tab.
  16. For Incoming mail server select the This server requires an encrypted connection (SSL) checkbox. If Incoming Server (POP3) shows a number other than 995, enter 995 in the box. If Outgoing Server (SMTP) shows a number other than 25, enter 25 in the box.
  17. In the drop down that says Use the following type of encrypted connection, select AUTO.
  18. Note: If you plan on accessing your e-mail from somewhere other than Outlook (e.g. Hotmail.com, etc), check the Leave a copy of message on server checkbox. Otherwise, e-mail will only be accessible through Outlook.
  19. Select OK to close the menu.
  20. Select Next on the E-Mail Accounts screen. Then select Finish.

How do I specify the connection type in Microsoft Outlook XP?

  • From the Outlook XP Tools menu, select E-mail Accounts.
  • Select View or change existing e-mail accounts. Select Next.
  • Choose the existing MSN e-mail account and select Change.
  • Select More Settings.
  • Select the Connection tab.
  • Select the appropriate connection and select OK.
  • Select Next. Then select Finish.

MSN Browser

About Junk Mail and Spam filtering
Sometimes a message you receive contains inappropriate content or is simply unwanted. MSN provides several features to protect you from this type of junk mail.

  • Why do I receive junk mail?
    You don't necessarily receive junk mail because of anything you did, or because reputable companies have sold your e-mail address to junk mail senders (also called "spammers"). Spammers have several sophisticated ways to get their junk mail to you, including using computer-generated lists that guess your e-mail address. Once spammers verify that your e-mail address is valid, you are likely to be sent more and more unsolicited e-mail.
  • How does MSN help protect me?
    Before a message ever reaches you, the Hotmail® servers (which host both Hotmail and MSN e-mail accounts) filter and eliminate the most obvious junk mail. Then, MSN Internet Software uses the other features to help protect you from inappropriate images or words, Web beacons, viruses and hidden code
  • How do I use junk mail filters?
    Choose the filter level you that you want to filter out likely junk mail at before it reaches your inbox. The filtered-out messages are delivered to the Junk Mail folder.
  • How do I train my junk mail filter?
    Only you can determine the messages that you want and don’t want. You can train the junk mail filter over time. Use the Junk and Not Junk buttons to help MSN Mail distinguish between messages you want to see and those you don't. If you see junk mail in the inbox, select the message, and then select Junk. If you see a message that you want to keep out of the Junk Mail folder, select it, and then select Not Junk.
  • How do I block my preview pane?
    MSN blocks messages from displaying in the preview pane if the message is from an unknown sender, or contains words or images that may be inappropriate for you or your family.
  • How do I block images?
    MSN blocks images from displaying in your e-mail messages. Some images may be used as "Web beacons" that announce to a site that your e-mail address is valid. Simply viewing an image that is a Web beacon can result in your e-mail address being added to mailing lists.
  • How does the safe list work?
    Add e-mail addresses to this list to let MSN know that you want to receive messages from these e-mail addresses. E-mail addresses on the list will not be screened as potential junk mail candidates. When you view messages from "People I know" in your inbox, messages from e-mail addresses in this list and in your address book are displayed.
  • What is a mailing list?
    Use this list to tell MSN about any group mailing lists you belong to. Messages sent through those mailing lists aren’t filtered out as junk mail.
  • What is a block sender list?
    Use this list to tell MSN that you do not want to receive messages from specific e-mail addresses.
  • What are custom filters?
    You can create rules to organize incoming messages. For example, you can filter out mail with specific words in the title, or automatically move messages from certain e-mail addresses to a specific folder.
  • What virus protection is used?
    MSN Mail uses McAfee® VirusScan® to detect harmful viruses and hidden code in documents attached to your incoming messages.
  • What else should I know about junk mail filtering?
    Some of your junk mail filter settings apply only to the computer on which they are established. Be sure to verify that the junk mail filter settings on each computer you use to access your e-mail are set up correctly. Certain messages from MSN are not filtered by MSN junk mail filters. You can choose to stop receiving certain MSN newsletters.

How do I set filters for Junk Mail and Spam?
With MSN, you can choose the junk mail filter level used for filtering your incoming e-mail messages. A stronger filter will do a better job of keeping junk out of your inbox, but it will also catch more of the mail you want and move it to your Junk Mail folder.

  1. From the Help & Settings menu, select Settings.
  2. Select E-Mail.
  3. Select Junk Mail Settings.
  4. Select Junk Mail Filter.
  5. Select the junk filter level you want MSN to use for incoming messages:
    • Exclusive delivers messages only from people in your address book, your safe list, and MSN and Hotmail services to the inbox. Puts all other messages in the Junk Mail folder.
    • Strong delivers most junk mail to the Junk Mail folder. Delivers all other messages to the inbox.
    • Moderate delivers the majority of junk mail to the Junk Mail folder. Delivers all other messages to the inbox.
    • Light delivers some junk mail to the Junk Mail folder. Delivers all other messages to the inbox.
    • Default filters out only the most obvious junk mail. Delivers all other messages to the inbox.

Notes:

  • Instead of choosing the Exclusive filter, consider using the Strong filter and using the "People I know" view of the inbox when you want to see messages only from those people allowed by the Exclusive filter.
  • If you receive junk mail in your inbox, select the message or messages, and then select Junk on the toolbar. By doing this, similar messages are more likely to be moved automatically to your Junk Mail folder.
  • Check your Junk Mail folder regularly to make sure that e-mail you want has not been moved there. If it has been, select the message or messages, and then select Not Junk on the toolbar. By doing this, similar messages are more likely to stay in your inbox and not be moved to your Junk Mail folder in the future.

Troubleshooting

I’m no longer receiving e-mail messages.

  1. Check the on-server storage space for your e-mail account. If your account exceeds the storage limit, you won't be able to receive new messages until you clear some space.
  2. Look in the Junk Mail folder. If messages that are not junk are delivered there instead of the inbox, select the message and then select Not Junk. This trains the junk mail filter to distinguish between mail you want and mail you don't want.
  3. Check any rules you may have set for managing incoming messages. Perhaps some are being delivered to other folders instead of the inbox because of a rule that you created.

I received a message with a missing attachment.

If you receive a message with a paper clip icon, but no attached file, the server may have blocked file delivery due to one of the following conditions:

  • The file contained a virus. If the file was blocked, when you open the message you'll see a message informing you that the attachment was blocked. Ask the sender to scan the file for viruses and send you a clean copy.
  • The attached file was a file type that is susceptible to viruses.

I can’t read the text in a message I received.

If you receive one or more messages that are unreadable, where characters are transposed or fail to make any words at all, one of two problems is likely:

  • The message sender is using a format that MSN Mail doesn't support.  Ask the sender to reformat the message as plain text (without any formatting), and send it to you again.
  • Your copy of MSN® may be corrupt. If none of your messages are displaying properly, try reinstalling MSN from the CD.

I can’t send a message to a specific address.

  • Check the e-mail address of the recipient. Make sure you include the entire address (e.g., myemailaddress@msn.com). If you leave off the domain (the part that comes after "@"), the mail server won't be able to properly deliver your message.
  • Make sure the e-mail address is current. That e-mail account might be closed, or perhaps the recipient is now using a different e-mail address.
  • If this is a friend, ask that person to make sure you are not on his or her blocked senders list.
  • If you receive a return or "bounce-back" message, read the information carefully. It often explains why the message wasn't received successfully, (i.e., because there was a server problem on the recipient’s end or because an e-mail address is no longer valid).

My changes to MSN Mail haven’t saved.

  • Verify you’re connected to the Internet.
  • Try your request again.
  • Check the MSN Mail service status on the MSN Network Status Web site.

MSN Mail service is unavailable.

  • Verify you’re connected to the Internet.
  • Try your request again.
  • Check the MSN Mail service status on the MSN Network Status Web site.

More MSN Mail Help

Get more help with your MSN Mail.

Other ISPs

For help with e-mail service that’s provided by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) not listed on this page, you need to contact that ISP. For your convenience, we’ve provided an Internet Service Provider List with contact numbers.