Somehow this post was a duplicate.  The Windows Live staff may delete it.

@ LANGWARE

This time you are the one making the good points.  I am glad to hear that you can tell the browser which site to accept or deny the display of ads with.  That is indeed a good feature.

I have seen Firefox, and although a lot of people like it, I am one of those who do not like it. I also like the new features that comes with IE8. It was a nice upgrade from IE7.  But IE PRO and the ad ons are not compatible with IE8. I was spoiled rotten with the old MSN 9.0 browser. It makes IE8 and Firefox both look cheap.

This whole issue has become a matter of principal. I can see a free service putting ads on the screen to help pay for it.  But we should not have to put up with the type of ads they are forcing on us. And many have to now look at their emails in a 3 inch wide space and scroll back and forth to read them.  That is just cheap and wrong of MS to do that to it's long time loyal customers.

I may just break down and pay MSN the $10 a month to get back the greatest browser there is.  Then I won't have to put up with this shameful crap that these people dish out.  The MSN browser has a toll free number 24/7 that all customers can call and talk to a real person.  Unfortunately they are in the Philippines or India, but they are real people that have always helped me when I called them.  It's just a shame that my extra $10 will be going to the same greedy SOB's.

By the way.  Remember the problem I was having with the Hotmail Spell Check feature? 6 months later, and they haven't fixed it yet.  But I have solved it my self.  I just use ieSpell to spell check my emails.  It's the same spell checker they use here when you type a post and spell check it. It is stupid crap like that, and the offensive ads, that makes using Hotmail a major inconvenience.  We shouldn't HAVE to get other browsers and then their ad on's, then set them up for each site just to read an email.

@K3DAV,

First, a review of the two components I use to eliminate ads in Hotmail.

1. An ad-blocking tool removes the ads and leaves a blank space. IEPro has an ad-blocking feature. IE8 comes with a built in ad-blocking feature.

2. To reuse the space formerly occupied by the ads, I use a script that expands Hotmail's inbox and new message compose pane. IEPro will run user scripts; IE7 and IE8 (by themselves) will not run user scripts.

With the ad-blocking tool (to remove the ad), and the user script (to expand the inbox and new message compose panes), I never see an ad on the right, and I get the full use of the screen space formerly occupied by the ad. IEPro provides the function of ad-blocking and running user scripts for IE7. It does not officially support IE8 .... but many people are using IEPro with IE8.

From what I've read on the IEPro forums, the problems that some people are having with IEPro and IE8 involve tabs and mouse jestures. I've not read about anyone having a problem with IEPro's User Script feature and IE8.

So, you may want to try an experiment .... install IEPro with IE8, and only enable the User Script feature of IEPro (you can also disdable IEPro's add-blocking feature and optionally use the ad-blocking feature built into IE8). Then, install the Hotmail Ad-Blocking Script. The Script will work even if you do not have ad-blocking enabled in IE8 .... because the script will just cover up the ad when it expands the inbox and new message compose pane (the ad will still be there, but be covered).

As I mentioned, the Hotmail Ad-Blocking Script will ONLY apply to the Hotmail domain ... it will not affect ads on any other domain.

You could give that a try and see if you can get IEPro (and the Hotmail Ad-Blocking Script) to work for you in IE8. I know that you have other means of avoiding ads in Hotmail, but if you are successful at making IE8 work with IEPro (and the Hotmail Ad-Blocking Script), and post your results here, then others might benefit from your research.

I would perform the above experiment myself, but since I use Firefox, I have not found the need to download IE8.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.  I've been a firefox/adblock user and an Amazon Prime customer for years and have not had any of the problems you describe. The filters in Adblock are customizable if you find that content is being deleted, but I normally (although not often) have to add a new filter rather than delete or modify existing filters because they are blocking content. I also use an addon called "ie view" that will allow you to right click on a page and pull it up in IE if there are problems, but that is normally only needed on websites with IE specific extensions, mostly on (surprise, surprise) microsoft sites.

Whatever the case, even if I were missing an Amazon targeted special (i.e. an ad), that price would be well worth it to me to never look at ads on any website - without having to use slices of cardboard as a low-tech ad filter. Firefox < IE = laughable.

The school set up the students with live accounts.  My grandson's is {removed email address}

The ads that keep coming up are from match.com for one.  I don't think my 11 year old granson needs to be looking for sexy singles as I mentioned before.  If you are going to advertise at least allow each user to choose something age appropriate.

To whom it concerns:

June 3,2009

Here are the links to some especially disgusting ads.  I'm emailing them at 8:45 MT; saw them a few minutes ago when I logged into my hotmail account.  Just wanted to pass it along.  I hope that the Windows Live help team sees this!!!!!

http://yads.zedo.com//ads2/c?a=576556;x=0;g=172,0;c=966000003,966000003;i=0;n=966;s=4;s=4;g=172;m=23;w=7;u=unknown;p=6;f=591529;s=4;u=unknown;z=0.4276250350381964;k=http://ad.doubleclick.net/click%3Bh=v8/3842/3/0/%2a/e%3B215304818%3B0-0%3B0%3B36774629%3B2321-160/600%3B31444927/31462803/1%3Bu%3Ddn-58521925_1244082955%2C1107e46fc10653c%2Cnone%2Ccm.polit_L%3B%7Eaopt%3D3/1/28/0%3B%7Esscs%3D%3fhttp://www.helensdiet.com/blog/rachael-ray-diet.php

http://yads.zedo.com//ads2/c?a=595187;x=0;g=172,0;c=966000003,966000003;i=0;n=966;s=4;s=4;g=172;m=23;w=7;u=unknown;p=6;f=591529;s=4;u=unknown;z=0.3089717090319902;k=http://ad.doubleclick.net/click%3Bh=v8/3842/3/0/%2a/e%3B215304818%3B0-0%3B0%3B36774629%3B2321-160/600%3B31444927/31462803/1%3Bu%3Ddn-62452243_1244082973%2C1107e46fc10653c%2Cnone%2Ccm.polit_L%3B%7Eaopt%3D3/1/28/0%3B%7Esscs%3D%3fhttp://www.helensdiet.com/blog/rachael-ray-diet.php

http://clk.atdmt.com/goiframe/113479677.113647873/105922456/direct;wi.160;hi.600/01

http://yads.zedo.com//ads2/c?a=595196;x=0;g=172,0;c=966000003,966000003;i=0;n=966;s=4;s=4;g=172;m=23;w=7;u=unknown;p=6;f=591529;s=4;u=unknown;z=0.5245956018138554;k=http://ad.doubleclick.net/click%3Bh=v8/3842/3/0/%2a/e%3B215304818%3B0-0%3B0%3B36774629%3B2321-160/600%3B31444927/31462803/1%3Bu%3Ddn-97604006_1244083144%2C1107e46fc10653c%2Cnone%2Ccm.polit_L%3B%7Eaopt%3D3/1/28/0%3B%7Esscs%3D%3fhttp://www.helensdiet.com/blog/rachael-ray-diet.php

http://clk.atdmt.com/goiframe/113479677.114842364/105922456/direct;wi.160;hi.600/01

zugg:

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.  I've been a firefox/adblock user and an Amazon Prime customer for years and have not had any of the problems you describe. The filters in Adblock are customizable if you find that content is being deleted, but I normally (although not often) have to add a new filter rather than delete or modify existing filters because they are blocking content. I also use an addon called "ie view" that will allow you to right click on a page and pull it up in IE if there are problems, but that is normally only needed on websites with IE specific extensions, mostly on (surprise, surprise) microsoft sites.

Whatever the case, even if I were missing an Amazon targeted special (i.e. an ad), that price would be well worth it to me to never look at ads on any website - without having to use slices of cardboard as a low-tech ad filter. Firefox < IE = laughable.

If "Firefox < IE = laughable" then why would you need an add on for the superior Firefox called "ie view"?  You said, "but that is normally only needed on websites with IE specific extensions, mostly on (surprise, surprise) microsoft sites."  Well (surprise surprise) most sites have IE specific extensions.  The entire internet was based on MS and IE.  Many sites are now boasting that they have just upgraded their site with new IE extentions to be compatible with IE8. I don't recall them mentioning Firefox.

So you would rather pay more money for something just to get rid of an ad?  Then why didn't you just pay extra and get Hotmail plus?  You wouldn't have had to waste the time to get another browser and add ons, and settings, and add a new filter, and modify an old one and...........  Obviously you never had to live on a fixed income.

You have not just insulted me, but you called me a liar too.  After all.  If you have never had a problem with Amazon in all these years, then it only stands to reason that my post about someone who DID have those problems must be a lie. I guess you use Firefox so that means it must be the best.  You couldn't possibly be wrong.  Firefox is OK but it IS a downgrade from IE8. Most of it's users will admit to that (Except you of course.  You couldn't be wrong, OMG NO! Parrish the thought).

In most forums, we call people like you a TROLL.  You're not here to ad to the conversation.  You're just here to be a smart A$$ and insult someone for your entertainment.  Are you sure you don't work for Windows Live customer service?

Hi Sheila F,

I'm also fed up with those ads on the right handside banner in my hotmail; they're simply gross. My concern is about the ads by MomsWeightJournal.com, the ads have been popping up for some days now, they simply appear whenever I use my hotmail, alternated by the other gross ads for white teeth. Being greeted early morning by a nice smile advertising nice white teeth is one thing, I don't need to see inside people's mouths, or an imitation for a horror show with what looks like a screaming mouth with a monster gadget emitting blue light. The fat wobbly jello-like body parts are revolting, and I wonder who on earth deems this kind of theater of horrors acceptable to the general public. Yuk

@k3dav, you have some serious mental health issues to deal with, but here you go then I'm signing off of the thread and you can run wild:

1) I don't pay money for Firefox or ad blocking, they are free. I actually do pay for Hotmail Plus on my primary email account, I had no idea that got rid of ads because I never see them anyways.

2) I'm not a MS hater tearing down IE because I think everything MS sucks. For example I use Windows Media Center and extenders for TV. Why - automatic commercial removal. That's right, not only do I not have to look at ads in my browser, I don't have to watch ads on TV either. I actually try different options and then make informed decisions.

3) I guess you just called me a liar for saying that I don't have any problems shopping Amazon with FF. Guess what, I don't. That's a fact.

4) The internet was actually built on Netscape, the granddaddy of Firefox. Today it is built on open standards so that people who use IE or Opera or Firefox or Chrome or Safari can all have the same experience. If a website is saying that it is using IE8 specific extensions, that really isn't something to brag about. But it is much more likely they are saying they are compatible with IE8, not that they are using proprietary MS extensions instead of open standards. Market dominance by IE caused browser technology to remain dormant for years, it wasn't until there was competition from FF that MS got off their butts to improve IE. FF has been good for everyone who uses a browser, including you.

5) In most of the world, we call people like you a$$holes. I actually came in here and offered a solution to the ads for people and apparently some people have tried it and like it. You're the one that insisted on shooting it down for no reason other than you heard one person once had an issue with FF. Wow, I'm overwhelmed by your anecdotal evidence. I presented a different view, that of a professional software developer (for 15 years) who has used FF for over 5 years and knows what it is capable of. And until IE allows custom add-ons, it will not be an upgrade from FF even if IE8 does have slightly faster (though insignificantly so) page load times which is the only thing I've read in reviews that it has as an edge. And because my configuration of FF doesn't have to spend the time loading ads, I'd bet for most websites that would actually make it faster than IE8, although speed isn't my primary concern. There are really wonderful extensions to FF that add a lot of great functionality, although you would know nothing about that as it is obvious you haven't even used it.

6) Looking through the threads you're involved in, apparently all you do is *** and moan with self-righteous indignation that you don't get immediate personal attention to your problems for a product that you use FOR FREE. But keep on bitching about the disgusting ads and insulting the moderators and anyone else you cross paths with. Maybe MS will do something about it, then you'll only have to look at disgusting ads on every other website on the Internet. Yea.

BTW, you CAN post your email address on here. It replaces it with "{removed email address}" on the public view but the moderators can see it. Sheesh.

Could you please close your argument and do what you like about Firefox. I don't want my inbox flooding with insults.  I just want to see that the problem is solved.  Thank you!

@Kerri G

I assume that you are still attempting to escalate the problem of disgusting ads.

As of June 4 at 9:38 Mountain Time (USA) ... here is the status of the ads:

The disgusting photos in the weight loss ads have been replaced by disgusting drawings. The ads are still present and just as offensive.

The ads with photos of people's yellow teeth remain, and are just as disgusting and offensive.

After one day of escalation .... there has been no change (I'll be glad to post status here for you every day until your escalation is successful and ALL disgusting ads are removed).

Not so--last night when I logged on to hotmail (via IE) I saw NEW ads that were even more disgusting!!  I copied and pasted the links and posted them, but for some curious reason, the post didn't go through....hmmmm, wonder why?!  There has been no change--so I'm logging on now with Firefox.

I couldn't agree more. To make matters worse, at times these adds block user space, making it impossible to read content on sites. It is a shame that Hotmail spends so much time attempting to lure customers with all sorts of user friendly perks only to litter their home pages with jiggly cellulite, gums and energy drink adds. The answer isn't to make them animated. The answer is to remove them completly. Won't anyone work for the customer anyore?

Thank You for your feedback we're reviewing the contents of the ads. Pending finilzation of the review, you also have the option of signing up for HM Plus account to remove ads, or use client software for instance Windows Live Desktop.

@Kerri G,

While you are reviewing the contents of the ads, pending finalization and a decision to remove the offensive content, will Microsoft waive the cost of signing up for (and ongoing use of) Hotmail Plus? 

I suspect the answer will be "no". So my follow up questions are:

1. If customers have reported the offensive ads, and are waiting Microsoft's action to remove them, and if customers ONLY need to sign up for Hotmail Plus just to avoid having to view those offensive ads, then why won't Microsoft waive the costs of Hotmail Plus (in this case)?

2. How long will it take Microsoft to take action and remove the offensive content. Customer's have been complaining for many weeks (if not months) about the offensiveness of the ads. How long will it take before the ads are removed? Months? Years? How difficult can it be for a senior Microsoft manager to view the ads (which are clearly disgusting and offensive) and make the decision to remove them? That should take approximately 5 nanoseconds. So, why are we still waiting for the ads to be removed????  Could it be that Microsoft has no intention of taking any action???

For those who grow tired of waiting and waiting and WAITING for Microsoft to take some action and remove the offensive ads ..... consider installing a browser add-on that will COMPLETELY REMOVE ALL ADS from Hotmail. See this thread for more information:

http://windowslivehelp.com/community/t/44808.aspx