Many of you have asked us why your domain name has been rejected. There are several reasons:

1. Domain has too many EASI passports registered with Passport
2. Blocked word in string (like "bank" or "free")
3. Domain is "externally managed" - there is a passport account already associated with this domain name

4. Domain or subdomain not supported by Passport (based on regional standards)

 

We are working on better messages to help you understand the exact reason for our next milestone release. In the meantime, please send email to us if you believe your domain should be supported.

 

Adding an SPF record to your DNS
The Sender ID Framework is a protocol created to counter e-mail domain spoofing and to provide greater protection against phishing schemes by verifying an e-mail message's sender. For more information, see
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/safety/technologies/senderid/technology.mspx
 
You can help us reduce email spoofing by adding a TXT record to your DNS settings (many domain providers allow the addition of TXT records). The record would contain the following:
v=spf1 include:hotmail.com ~all

 

Note that this is *not* required for your domain to use our service.

 

If you want to include Custom Domain accounts under your existing MSN Premium subscription, we support this. However, you must first enter a Country Name and Birthdate for each Custom Domain account before adding it to your MSN Premium subscription. You do this by logging into each Hotmail account, selecting Options, then Profile. If the Country is blank, you will receive an Error Code:2 when you attempt to add this account under your MSN Premium account.

 

We’ve shipped a new version of our Beta.  We’ve tried to address the main concerns and bugs that have been reported with our previous version, M2.

We fixed the sign-in problem many people were having.  Some people would click sign-in and be taken back to a page telling them they needed to sign-in.

We’ve increased the number of users allowed in a domain from 20 to 40.  We’ve also added UI to our user management page that deals with larger numbers of users in a domain.

We’ve added an ability to “import” existing Passports in the domain.  This means if you used an existing E-Mail as Sign-In (EASI) Passport in a domain and later configured the domain for use with domains.live.com, you are now given the option of “importing” this user into the domain and giving the Passport an inbox or alternatively “evicting” the user so they are forced to pick a new name next time they sign-in.

We’ve worked on improving Firefox support.

We’ve fixed a number of minor bugs and problems.

Keep the feedback coming.

 

Thanks,

Windows Live Custom Domains Team  

We've heard back from many of you with good suggestions and questions. Thank you!!!

 

First of all, let me clarify a few common issues:

1. You have to delete all other MX records for our service to work with your domain. We do this to ensure proper email delivery.

2. Yes, you can use Outlook or Outlook Express to manage these mailboxes. You have to purchase a premium MSN service to enable this - see below for more information.

3. There is a 30 day waiting period to reclaim an email address if you delete it. This is driven by security and privacy reasons across all hotmail boxes.

4. Mailbox size is 2mb by default. You can increase the size to 250mb/2gb by following the instructions later in the blog.

 

I also wanted to add directions for three of the more popular registrars our customers are using to host their domains and change their MX records. Here you go:

 

Godaddy.com instructions for changing MX record

1. Log in to godaddy.com
2. Click on Domains -> My Domain Names in pulldown menu
3. Click on the domain name you want to manage (domain details appear on right)
4. Expand "Total DNS Control" option in detail section
5. Click on "Total DNS Control And MX Records"
6. Click on "Launch Total DNS Control Manager" - new window appears
7. Scroll down to "MX (Mail Exchangers)" and delete all records displayed
8. Click on "Add new MX Record"
9. Enter 10 for the Priority under Step 1.
10. Enter the MX record that you received on the Windows Live Custom Domains site under Step 3.
11. Click on Continue
12. Click on Add

 

Yahoo Domains instructions for changing MX record

1. Log onto Yahoo Domains

2. Click on "Domain Control Panel"

3. Click on "Manage Advanced DNS Records"

4. Click on "Change MX Records"

5. Clear (delete) all old MX addresses

6. Enter the MX record that you received on the Windows Live Custom Domains site on the first blank line, under "Mailserver Hostname"

7. Click "Submit"

8. Click "Verify DNS" on the live.com site (it can take some time for the MX record to be propogated)

 

1und1.de instructions for changing MX record

1. Go to http://login.1und1.de
2. After having logged in to your account click the link "Domains"
3. Click the "DNS" button
4. Choose the domain you would like to use (subdomains do NOT work with this!)
5. Click the "Bearbeiten" button
6. Under "Erweiterte Einstellungen" where it says "MX-Einträge" check the "Anderer Mailserver" box
7. Enter the MX record that you received on the Windows Live Custom Domains site into the first row and "10" into the box next to it
8. Click the "OK" button

9. Click "Verify DNS" on the live.com site (it can take some time for the MX record to be propogated)
And that should be it. You won't have to enter Host or TTL.