Please wait while the page is being loaded Skip this advertisement >
ARN

Microsoft: No more Windows Live Mail crashes with IE8 Beta 2

But preview browser is still hinky with Hotmail, Netflix, Skype and other programs
Gregg Keizer (Computerworld (US))  01 September, 2008 07:29:00
Have your say!
Add to Google
ARN Directory | Distributors relevant to this article
Altech Computers , ASI Solutions , Cellnet , Compucon Computers , Corporate Computer Resources , EDsys Computers , Express Data , Express Online , Impact Systems Technology , Infortech Distribution , Ingram Micro Australia , LDS International , Leader Computers , Leading Pacific Australia , NewLease , Simms International , Synnex Australia , Topstar Computer International , Unixpac , Westan , XiT Distribution , Xpress I.T.

Microsoft Friday said that it made a mistake when it tagged one of its own programs as incompatible with Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2, the browser preview it unveiled Wednesday.

In the release notes that accompanied IE8 Beta 2, Microsoft initially listed Windows Live Mail as problematic on PCs running the new browser. "If you install Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2, Windows Live Mail will crash when you create or reply to an e-mail message," Microsoft warned in the release notes.

Windows Live Mail, formerly Windows Live Desktop, is the desktop mail client meant to replace Outlook Express and Windows Mail. It is different from the similarly-named Windows Live Hotmail, which is the nameplate for Microsoft's Web-based e-mail service.

"This was actually an inaccuracy on our end that has since been fixed," said a Microsoft spokeswoman today via e-mail. "Live Mail will work just fine for IE8 Beta 2 users."

The release notes have since been modified to read: "Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 is compatible with Windows Live Mail."

Computerworld confirmed that Windows Live Mail did not crash when run on a Windows XP system equipped with IE8 Beta 2.

The other incompatibility warnings in the release notes are, however, correct, said the spokeswoman. Among the problems:

Hotmail: Microsoft's online e-mail service. Apparently, IE8 Beta 2 will not always completely log off Hotmail after the user clicks the "Sign out" button, leaving the account active and making it possible for others using that computer to view the account's messages and use it to send mail. "To make sure that Internet Explorer logs off Hotmail, click the Hotmail Sign-In link after you log off Hotmail," Microsoft recommended in the release notes.

Netflix: the by-mail DVD subscription service. Users with IE8 Beta 2 cannot view Netflix's "On Demand" movies.

Skype: the popular voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) application. "IE8 Beta 2 displays a compatibility warning when certain versions of the Skype add-in are installed," said Microsoft. "When you disable this add-in, the main functionality of the Skype product is unaffected." Version 2.2.0.193 and later of the Skype add-in are compatible.

Microsoft has also warned potential IE8 Beta 2 users running Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) that they won't be able to uninstall either the service pack or IE8 under some circumstances.

Comments

Post new comment

Users posting comments agree to the ARN comments policy.
Login or register to link comments to your user profile, or you may also post a comment without being logged in.
The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Enter the fully qualified URL, eg. http://www.example.com/
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.

More information about formatting options

Syndicate content
Careerone Job Search
Job seekers Get job alerts | Post your resume online | Interview tips | Ask Kate
Advertisers Click here to advertise your jobs to thousands of job seekers monthly.
 
ARN Distributor Directory
 
Find distributors by name
Find distributors by vendor
Find distributors by location
ARN Vendor Directory
 
Find vendors by name | Find by category
ARN Community Comments
Most Commented
ARN Library


Read Material

RSA - Secure Web Access

What can be done to protect web access? The Web has created a wealth of new opportunities, but as organizations shift from an internal to external focus, the traditional view of identity and access management (IAM) is changing. In many different ways, including regulations around the globe aimed at data protection and other processes, securing web access is creating many new challenges.

Subscribe to ARN

ARN has been the premier provider of information to the Australian IT channel for more than 12 years. As the only weekly publication dedicated to the channel, ARN produces timely, accurate news and analysis about IT business issues, products and services, new technology and market opportunities.
Sponsored Links