During initial testing, EPSKED's Email Manager function worked well for customers using MSN as their Internet Service Provider. However,  MSN Customer Care sent an email notice to its customers in early July of 2001, describing enhancements to "improve the MSN Internet Access e-mail service". This email includes information that "If you are using an application other than Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express, you will no longer be able to send e-mail once we have deployed our new e-mail system." 

The full text of the letter is shown below. Further investigation reveals that Microsoft is using its own proprietary, non-standard authentication protocols for accessing its mail servers, thus ensuring exclusive use of its own software for sending email. This action intentionally prevents access by the email functions of programs such as EPSKED.  

We regret that the convenience of EPSKED's Email Manager function will not be available for our customers with MSN accounts.   

In our continuing effort to further secure and improve the MSN Internet access e-mail service, we are initiating a series of e-mail enhancements to help you protect your MSN account from unsolicited commercial e-mail, often referred to as "spam". In order to implement these enhancements, it will be necessary for you to modify your e-mail settings by July 16, 2001. If you do not make this change, as we deploy our new system, you will lose the ability to send e-mail.

Note: MSN does not support e-mail software other than Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express. If you are using an application other than Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express, you will no longer be able to send e-mail once we have deployed our new e-mail system.

To begin making your modifications, follow the instructions below for the e-mail software you are using. If you are using Outlook Express as your primary e-mail software, you have two options available. You can automatically configure your settings by clicking on the following URL and entering your e-mail address and password.

You can also manually configure your Outlook Express settings by following the steps outlined below. If you choose this option, we recommend that you print this e-mail before starting this procedure.

To check which version of Microsoft Outlook Express you are using, start Outlook Express and choose "Help", then select "About Microsoft Outlook Express." The software version displays on your screen.

Note: The automatic configuration option is not available for Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72. Please use the manual configuration instructions below.

Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72 (OE4 w/Service Pack 2):

Click the "My server requires authentication" checkbox under "Outgoing Mail Server"..

Click "Settings"..

Click the "Log on Using" option.

In the "Account Name" box, enter your username. Do not include your domain (the part of your e-mail address that begins with the @ symbol).

In the "Password" box, enter your password.

Optionally, you can to choose the "Remember Password" box to avoid entering your password each time you sign in to your e-mail application.

Click the "Log on using Secure Password Authentication" checkbox.

Click "OK".

Microsoft Outlook 98 and Microsoft Outlook 2000:

If you are using Microsoft Outlook as your primary e-mail software, follow the steps outlined below. We recommend that you print this e-mail before starting this procedure.

Start Outlook.

Click the "Tools" menu, then click "Accounts".

Click "Internet E-Mail" in the profiles list.

Click "Properties".

Click the "Servers" tab in the "Mail Account Properties" dialog box.

Under "Outgoing Mail Server", select the "My server requires authentication" check box.

Click "Settings".

Select the "Log on using" option.

Type your MSN user name in the Account name box. Do not include your domain (the part of your e-mail address that begins with the @ symbol).

Type your password in the "Password" box.

Select the "Log on using Secure Password Authentication" check box.

Click "OK".

Microsoft Outlook 97:

If you are using Microsoft Outlook '97, as your primary e-mail software, you will need to upgrade to at least Outlook 98. The Outlook 97 upgrade is located at: http://www.microsoft.com/office/outlook.

Microsoft Outlook XP:

If you are using Microsoft Outlook XP as your primary e-mail software, follow the steps outlined below. We recommend that you print this e-mail before starting this procedure.

Start Outlook.

Click the "Tools" menu, then click "E-mail Accounts".

Select "View or change existing e-mail accounts".

Click "Next".

Choose your MSN Mail Account, and then click "Change".

Click "More Settings".

Under "Outgoing Mail Server", check "My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication".

Select the "Log on using" option.

Type your MSN user name in the "User Name" box. Do not include your domain (the part of your e-mail address that begins with the @ symbol).

Type your password in the "Password" box.

Select the "Log on using Secure Password Authentication" check box.

Click "OK".

Click "Next".

Click "Finish".

We appreciate your taking the time to update your MSN account. By doing so now, you will help to control the amount of spam in your mailbox and in the MSN e-mail system. If you have questions regarding this procedure, please read the MSN Support Services Questions and Answers, located at http://supportservices.msn.com/us/qanda.asp#email.

Again, thank you for helping to make these improvements to your MSN e-mail account and the MSN e-mail system.

Sincerely,

MSN Customer Care

Note: Please do not reply to this e-mail, as this e-mail is unattended. If you have questions, please contact MSN using the methods mentioned above.