Article ID: 316659
Article Last Modified on 11/6/2007
APPLIES TO
- MSN Hotmail
This article was previously published under Q316659
SUMMARY
This articles describes the most frequent issues with MSN Hotmail, and tells you how to resolve them. There is information about Hotmail support options at the end of this article.
MORE INFORMATION
How to Reset a Forgotten Password
To reset your MSN Hotmail password, follow these steps:
- Start Microsoft Internet Explorer, and then see the following Hotmail Web site:
- Click Forgot your password?.
- In the Reset Your Password (Step 1) pane, type the information that corresponds with the information that you provided when you signed up for your Hotmail account, and then click Continue.
- In the Reset Your Password (Step 2) pane, type the answer to the secret question that you provided, type your new password, and then click Continue.
How to Eliminate Unwanted Junk E-Mail (Spam)
To eliminate unwanted e-mail messages, use one of the following methods.
Method 1: Junk Mail Filter
- Start Internet Explorer, and then see the following Hotmail Web site:
- Type your sign-in name and password, and then click Sign-In.
- Click Options, and then click Junk Mail Filter.
- Click the level of protection that you want, and then click OK.
Method 2: Block Sender
- Start Internet Explorer, and then see the following Hotmail Web site:
- Type your sign-in name and password, and then click Sign-In.
- Click Options, and then click Block Sender.
- In the Type a single e-mail address (or domain) box, type the e-mail address that you want to block. Click Add, and then click OK.
"Page Cannot Be Displayed" Error Message When You Attempt to Log On to Hotmail
When you try to log on to Hotmail, you may receive an error mussage similar to the following:
This issue can occur when there is a problem connecting to the Hotmail server. When you receive this error message, it is best to wait a few minutes, and then attempt to log on to Hotmail again.
If you still cannot log on to Hotmail after several minutes, clear your History folder and Temporary Internet folders. To do this, follow these steps:
- Start Internet Explorer.
- On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
- On the General tab, click Clear History. When you receive the confirmation message, click Yes.
- In the Temporary Internet Files pane, click Delete Files. When you receive the confirmation message, click Yes.
How to Identify and Report Unwanted E-mail Messages (Spam)
To identify a sender of unwanted e-mail messages and report that sender to MSN Hotmail, use the appropriate method.
Method 1: Report Unwanted E-mail Messages from a Hotmail Account
- Start Internet Explorer, and then see the following Hotmail Web site:
http://www.hotmail.com - Type your sign-in name and password, and then click Sign-In.
- Click Options, and then click Mail Display Settings.
- Next to Message Headers, click Full, and then click OK.
- Forward a complete copy of the unwanted message, including the full message header, to the following e-mail address:
Method 2: Report Unwanted E-mail Messages from Outside a Hotmail Account
- Start Internet Explorer, and then see the following Hotmail Web site:
- Type your sign-in name and password, and then click Sign-In.
- Click Options, and then click Mail Display Settings.
- Next to Message Headers, click Full, and then click OK.
- In the header of the unwanted e-mail message, observe domain of the received section. For example, email_address@ISPname.com.
- Forward a complete copy of the e-mail message, including the full message header, to the following e-mail addresses:
webmaster@ISPname.com
abuse@ISPname.com
How to Close a Hotmail Account
To close a Hotmail account, stop using it. After thirty days any unused account becomes inactive. After ninety days, the Passport becomes inactive. You can also close your Hotmail account from within the account itself. To do this, follow these steps:
- Click Help on any Hotmail page.
- Type Close Account in the keyword search section of the Help screen.
- Click the Close Your Hotmail Account tip within the Help screen.
- Click the Close Account link that is highlighted in blue.
- Read the instructions. When you are satisfied that you understand the terms associated with an account closure, click Close Account.
NOTE: After an account has been closed, any folders and e-mail associated with the account are deleted and cannot be recovered.
About Hotmail
MSN Hotmail is a free e-mail service provided by Microsoft. It is the most popular of its kind in the world, processing nearly one billion e-mails each day at no charge.
To sign up for Hotmail, follow these steps:
- See the following MSN Web site:
- Clicking the Hotmail link, and then click Sign Up.
- Answer the onscreen questions.
The answers to these questions are never broadcast or sold, in accordance with the Hotmail Terms of Use.
MSN Hotmail uses a Passport entry to the service. Your Passport is synonymous with a password. You can use the same Passport for a number of MSN services.
Support for Hotmail
Support for Hotmail is available 24 hours a day at the following Hotmail Web site:
If you click this link, the Hotmail homepage opens. On the Hotmail homepage, you can sign up for an account. If you have a logon name and password, you can sign in to your account.
Support in Your Hotmail Account
To receive support while you are running your Hotmail account:
- Click the Help button on any of the Hotmail pages.
This opens Help specific to that area of Hotmail.
-or-
- In Help, type a question.
The support is provided in the form of frequently asked questions (FAQs).
-or-
- Help is also available on the Hotmail logon page if you have problems with the logon process or your password.
If you cannot find the answer to your problem through Help, e-mail for support at the following e-mail address:
Microsoft makes every effort to answer e-mail support requests within 24 business hours. Virtually all solutions to Hotmail support needs can be found in Help.
Keywords: kbresolve kberrmsg kbinfo KB316659
