The Mechanism of receiving Hotmail

Most of client software, such as Foxmail, Outlook Express is following POP3 protocol to receive messages. However, MS Hotmail mail system didn't provide POP3 service but provide a special HTTP mail server.

For receiving Hotmail, Foxmail add a small tool "Foxmail-Hotmail Proxy". Foxmail-Hotmail Proxy runs as a bridge between Foxmail Client and Hotmail mail server, the relationship is shown as below:

When receiving Hotmail, Foxmail-Hotmail Proxy will run as a POP3 server, and receiving mail request from Foxmail. Foxmail-Hotmail Proxy received the request then send a HTTP command to Hotmail HTTP mail server and provide Account and Password. Hotmail HTTP mail server return the mail information to Foxmail-Hotmail Proxy, then Foxmail-Hotmail Proxy pass the mail information to Foxmail to complete the receiving.

According to above introduction, Foxmail-Hotmail Proxy run on Foxmail as the normal POP3 server, Foxmail receive mails from Foxmail-Hotmail Proxy as receiving from other POP3 server, not receiving mails from Hotmail HTTP mail server directly. So any kind of mail client support  POP3 protocol can receive Hotmail through Foxmail-Hotmail Proxy.