OLEXP: You Are Unable to Log On to Your Hotmail Account If Your Password Is Less Than Eight Characters (244625)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Macintosh
This article was previously published under Q244625
For information about the differences between Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook e-mail clients, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

257824 OL2000: Differences Between Outlook and Outlook Express

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to log on to your Hotmail account, you may receive the following error message:
Your password must be between 8 and 12 characters.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if your password is less than eight characters in length.

RESOLUTION

Create a new password that is between eight and twelve characters in length. Your password may contain numbers (0-9), uppercase letters (A-Z), and lowercase letters (a-z). Your password cannot contain spaces.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

If you created a Hotmail account when the password required a minimum of six characters, you can still use the shorter password when you sign in on the Hotmail Web site.

To change your Hotmail password:
  1. Log on to your Hotmail account at the Hotmail Web site:

    http://www.hotmail.com

  2. Click Options, and then click Password.
  3. In the Old Password box, type your old password.
  4. In the New Password box, type your new password.
  5. In the Re-enter New Password box, type your new password, and then click OK.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/2/2002
Keywords:kbbug KB244625
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.