Not a bad switch. Things worked nicely, layout was crisp and clean, and it maintained most of the functionality that I used in the hotmail/live/outlook iteration.
Except for one thing... the stupid auto-login of Messenger. Previous version let me sign out, this one only lets me set "invisible", which also sets me to invisible on the desktop client!
... NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
Most people suggest blocking "gateway.messenger.live.com" via the hosts file, but not everyone has administrative access to do that on every computer.
A more "general access" method that I've come up with is to get AdBlock and add some custom ad-blocking filters. To block it:
- Open up your email inbox
- Click on the "Adblock Plus" icon in the toolbar
- Select "Filter preferences"
- Custom filters
- Select Ad blocking rules
- Click Add filter
- Paste in the pattern below
gateway.messenger.live.com(no longer works)||rendezvous.skype.com^$domain=mail.live.com (updated 4/11/2013)(no longer works)||gateway.messenger.live.com^$domain=mail.live.com (updated 12/04/2014)(no longer works)|https://secure.wlxrs.com/*$Live.SiteContent.Messenger/* (updated 12/04/2014)(no longer works)- |https://a.gfx.ms/webim*$domain=mail.live.com (updated 12/9/14)
Now you should end up with a Messenger-less inbox. Except one little problem... you've got this hollow area on the right (in green)
Check out dat ass on Hentai Kamen!So, what to do? Well, if you're ok with leaving that space empty then just leave it. Otherwise, install the addon called Stylish and customise the CSS.
I created this userstyle, but feel free to just copy paste it into your own (under Tools > Add-ons > User styles > Write new style)
@namespace url(http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml);
@-moz-document domain("live.com") {
/* Remove RHS column space */
.WithRightRail { right: 0 !important; }
#RightRailContainer { width: 0; }
#c_cme li.c_mcp:nth-child(2) { display: none; }
.webIMMessagingContainer { display: none; }
.leftnav { bottom: 0 !important; }
.ContentLeft .c-SizerBar { display: none; }
} There is one issue with this solution though. You'll lose the ability for your inbox to automatically show new emails. If you choose to use this method, you will have to refresh the inbox manually.
- *Update 9/4/2014* Outlook updated their styling, so I updated this post.
- *Updated 12/4/2014* Thanks Anon for the CSS to remove the icon.
- *Updated 12/9/2014* Updated blocking and CSS to match new inbox layout. Updated instructions a little.
And that's it! Enjoy your chat-free experience on the new email.
Of course, emails and any personal details removed :)
