KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q137105: Size Limits for Sending and Receiving MSN E-mail

Article: Q137105
Product(s): The Microsoft Network
Version(s): 2.5,2.51,2.52,2.6,5.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbfaq
Last Modified: 27-FEB-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- The Microsoft Network versions 2.5, 2.51, 2.52, 2.6, 5.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

Both outbound and inbound e-mail messages have size limits using your MSN
Internet Access e-mail account.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The message size shown in the Inbox, Outbox, or other mail folder is the
uncompressed message size. The message size shown in Remote Mail is the
compressed message size.

Outbound Messages
-----------------

Outbound e-mail messages cannot be larger than 1 MB (including header, body, and
attachments). If a message is larger, it is sent back to your Inbox with an
explanation.

The 3-MB limit is based on the compressed size of the message as it is handled by
The Microsoft Network. It is therefore possible to send a message with a large
size as reported by Microsoft Exchange's Outbox folder, because the message is
not yet compressed. The parts compressed are the files, objects, and messages
inserted using the Message command on the Insert menu. The text body is not
compressed.

Inbound Messages
----------------

Internet messages received by The Microsoft Network are also limited to 1 MB for
the entire message and 8K for the message's text body. Internet mail is not
compressed because attachments are text encoded using UUENCODE. If a message
received from the Internet exceeds 3 MB, The Microsoft Network sends the
appropriate error code to the sending service. It is that service's
responsibility to inform the sender that the message was not sent.

Additional query words: msn email

======================================================================
Keywords          :  kbfaq
Technology        : kbMSNSearch kbMSN500 kbMSN252 kbMSN251 kbMSN260 kbMSN250
Version           : :2.5,2.51,2.52,2.6,5.0
Issue type        : kbinfo

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.