I am having the same problem. Do not need to reload any software. Believe this is a Microsoft problem maybe due to virus prevention actions. The server to open the mail may be blocked for some reason. Other mail services will not operate with Outlook because of their source server. Wait a while and try again...
Since the last two days and all of a sudden, my Outlook Express has gone from working to abnormal. It will not log on to check Hotmails and kept showing that "an unknown error has occurred" message and error in configuration. I removed the mail accounts several times and re-install them (both hotmails) to no avail. I also have Mail Washer Pro that worked flawlessly until two days ago and now it won't work either showing "cannot connect to hotmail. Connection closed gracefully". What could have gone wrong and how can this problem be fixed short of reinstalling window (Xp Prof). I can log on to the hotmail site and read my mails with no problem, though. Looking forrward to any qualified and expert advice. Thanks in advance.
Edward

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