The One Thing That Causes Windows Live Mail To Suck

The Windows Live Mail e-mail client is actually really, really good. Managing accounts is simple and straightforward. Moving messages to/from accounts is a breeze. Doing simple things like attaching files, using fonts and so on is easy.

So why am I still using Mozilla Thunderbird?

One – and only one – thing in Windows Live Mail makes it suck really, really bad.

This:

(click image for full size version)

Note the part of the top that states verbatim: "Note: You can’t use rules for IMAP or HTTP e-mail accounts like Windows Live Hotmail."

This completely sucks.

I can set message rules (a.k.a. filters) in Thunderbird as the day is long. I can set colors of e-mails, flags, move them anywhere I want, and so on. I can do this for POP or IMAP.

Why is it that this stupidly basic function is 100% disabled for Hotmail and IMAP in Windows Live Mail? Why only for POP based mail?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Ready for the real kicker?

You can use Message Rules in Outlook Express 6 for IMAP accounts. Granted, when moving a message you can only dump to "Local Folders", but at least you have the option. (For those that don’t know, Windows Live Mail strongly suggests it’s a modern "flavor" of the older OE 6 client.)

I’m sticking with Mozilla Thunderbird because I absolutely require the ability to set rules and filters.

Think of it this way: Imagine a Gmail with no ability to use tags. That would suck, wouldn’t it? That’s what using the Windows Live Mail client is like. Great client, great interface, crappy functionality.

This makes me mad because otherwise the Windows Live Mail client is really good – said sincerely.

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http://www.worstdamnblog.com Josh
The only thing I hate about it is it’s soooo slow. With T-Bird I can click on it, and it opens right up with no problem and there is even a plug-in that allows you to minimize it to the tray so I know when I get messages. Or maybe that’s just Windows Mail. Is there a difference? I’m not even sure. Good Article.
http://www.intaxity.com Obry
Well this is not really that much of an issue if you use Gmail (or Google Apps) like most users since then you can setup your rules directly on your server (by signing in to your Gmail account from your browser and creating your rules from there). This works much better than using local rules anyways as it allows you to change email clients, computers and still have all your mail organized. I personally don’t use Hotmail so I can’t comment on its ability to set rules directly on your server. I also suspect that having a Hotmail account setup in WLM makes it start up slower since it signs you in to your Hotmail account when starting up which takes a few more seconds (depending on your Internet connection). For me it loads almost instantly on Windows 7 Enterprise from MSDN.
Ray
No one even mentioned the COMPLETELY SUCKY way that attachments are handled! You try to save a 5.6K PDF and Live Mail LOCKS UP MAN! No one noticed that! It sincerely sucks horribly and whoever at microsoft (or affiliate) that wrote the piece of $H&& should be FIRED!!!!!! T-Bird works and that’s all I want. ALSO… I noticed that a folder full of stuff I wanted to save got sucked away by Live Mail. It’s just gone now. I had it since I installed the piece of $H** but it is just gone now. I HATE LIVE MAIL.
Patsy
I’m hoping there’s something I will like about WLM after I’ve used it for awhile.. I only got Windows 7 yesterday and I like it ok except for the new mail program and absence of Quick Launch
Don’t like the way the contacts are displayed. Not nearly as easy to get them for a mass mailing. It’s just not as user friendly as Windows Mail. Wish we had an option of keeping Windows Mail.
Seems to me that every time Windows upgrades, they mess something up and makes it harder. Doesn’t make sense to me. I’m not savvy enough on computers to make sensible suggestions so I guess I will eventually get used to it. I don’t want to change my email address. I just don’t want the hassle.
THECHICPEA
Windows live mail is sooooo poor and very very unsafe. I checked my mail and all my mail that was saved for years was gone except for one week. I hadn't changed any settings for years and now they are missing. Contacting them for support is impossible and they hide with out a phone number posted anywhere. When I finally got support through a blog they email you with rediculous standard causes and basically send you aimlessly in a circle of non answeres and so you are screwed and all your info is gone and they don nothing. DON'T USE THIS SERVICE YOU WILL BE VERY SORRY WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO YOU.