You cannot access your Hotmail account from Windows Messenger after you install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (888068)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • MSN Hotmail
  • Microsoft Windows Messenger 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows Messenger 4.5
  • Microsoft Windows Messenger 4.6
  • Microsoft Windows Messenger 4.7
  • Microsoft Windows Messenger 5.0

SYMPTOMS

After you install Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), and you then try to use Microsoft Windows Messenger to check your MSN Hotmail e-mail account, you experience one of the following:
  • Windows Messenger does not notify you that you have received new e-mail in your Hotmail account.
  • Microsoft Outlook or Microsoft Outlook Express starts instead of the Hotmail Web site appearing when you click My E-mail Inbox on the File menu in Windows Messenger.
  • There is no link in Windows Messenger that displays the number of new e-mail messages that are present in your Hotmail Inbox.

CAUSE

This issue occurs if one of the following is true:
  • The default e-mail program is set to Outlook or to Outlook Express in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Therefore, you will not be able to automatically sign in to your Hotmail account.
  • Your installed copy of Windows Messenger is version 4.7.2009 or a later version.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the latest version of MSN Messenger to automatically sign in to your Hotmail account. To install the latest version of MSN Messenger, follow these steps:
Note If Windows Messenger is running, click Sign Out on the File menu.
  1. Visit the following Microsoft Web site:
    http://messenger.msn.com
  2. Click Download Now.
  3. If you are a registered user, click GO under Registered MSN User.
  4. If you are a new user, click GO under New MSN User.
  5. In the Security Warning dialog box, click Yes to start installing MSN Messenger.
  6. When the Welcome page appears, click Next.
  7. On the Software License Agreement page, click I agree, and then click Next.
  8. On the MSN Features for Internet Explorer page, click Next.
  9. Click Finish to complete the installation.

MORE INFORMATION

The version of Windows Messenger that is installed with Windows XP SP2 is associated with the default e-mail program that is set in Microsoft Internet Explorer. The default e-mail program may be Outlook, Outlook Express, MSN, or MSN Hotmail. When you click the My E-mail Inbox on the File menu in Windows Messenger, the default e-mail program will start. The My E-mail Inbox will not automatically sign you in to your MSN Hotmail account.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/22/2004
Keywords:kbemail kbtshoot KB888068 kbAudEndUser kbAudITPRO
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.