Windows Live Hotmail gets an update

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Thanks to the feedback of thousands of users who reported scrolling issues with the recent release of Windows Live Hotmail, Microsoft has rolled out another update to customers fixing the issue. Users can now revert back to the classic Hotmail scrolling interface by turning off their reading pane (Options -> Reading pane settings -> Off).

Microsoft has also added back the hotkey to allowing customers to open their messages in a new window by simply holding down the Shift key and clicking on the message. Customers are also seeing a return of the Today page when they sign into their Windows Live Mail account. To confirm that your bay is updated, you will see a message from the Windows Live Hotmail team when you sign-in to your Windows Live Hotmail account.

Microsoft has also announced that there will be further updates of Windows Live Mail in early 2009, including the new version of Web Messenger, increased number of messages shown at one time, and moving the advertisements to one side.

#1 Jock Horror on 20 Dec 2008 - 18:39

they should move the ads to out side...

#2 Vezineth on 20 Dec 2008 - 18:42

Bless those guys. Initially I found the layout a bit too bland and bleached, now I got used to it and am using the bamboo them.

#3 yert* on 20 Dec 2008 - 19:34

I actually really like Windows Live Mail. Has anyone here tried out this 09 version? It's great and has no ads!

#4 lylesback2 on 20 Dec 2008 - 21:03

I did get a new welcome message when signing into my hotmail the other day, but failed to read it

#5 P1R4T3 on 20 Dec 2008 - 22:10

Its gRRReat.

#6 osm0sis on 20 Dec 2008 - 22:11

they said they are planning on moving the ads to the side for the next update.

(1 reply) #7 rbet on 21 Dec 2008 - 08:38

Yeah, awesome. Fudge around with the GUI while making little to no usability improvements and adding no new features. Seriously people, how has your Hotmail experience improved between these 'waves'? It remains horribly crippled compared to GMail; you have to pay for something as rudimentary as POP access.

The new themes suck ass even. For the love of God, retain the solid color theme option.

It is hard not to be a GMail fanboy in face of such 'competition'. It is a pity Yahoo is going down in the medium-to-long run; its webmail service is truckloads better than Hotmail.

#7.1 bradsday on 21 Dec 2008 - 13:40

rbet said,

Agree that Hotmail still has a long way to go in contrast to Gmail, and yes, it is hard not to be a fanboy. In my opinion, Gmail is by far and wide the best free Internet mail service available. Even though Hotmail has vastly improved, with such things as themes and lay out, it does not negate the fact that their spam filtering is just laughable.

However, and all said, with the recent advent of Outlook Connector, have to say that I am using Hotmail a lot more. If you are not familiar, Outlook Connector allows you to set up an IMAP connection for use with either Outlook 2003 or 2007 for free. The application only runs with these two versions of Outlook, but will add the addtional mailbox into your profile. Probably the best, and smartest, thing that Microsoft has done with the Hotmail service.

#8 Mad_Griffith on 21 Dec 2008 - 10:05

I think they've done the best job in years with these new hotmail/wlm updates.

(1 reply) #9 kizzaaa on 21 Dec 2008 - 10:11

Bring back Windows Live Mail.

#9.1 Roger2 on 21 Dec 2008 - 14:47

kizzaaa said,

Done - http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview

#10 bradsday on 21 Dec 2008 - 13:47

I put this in another reply, but just so others see it as well. The best thing that Microsoft has done with Hotmail is add the recently updated Outlook Connector (version 12.1). If you are unfamiliar with this program, basically if you are using Microsoft Outlook 2003 or 2007, it will set up an IMAP connection for free. Of course it only works with these versions of Outlook, but will give you the ability to manage your email and contacts locally. The main reason that I have not used Hotmail as my primary is because of having to pay for POP service; with the Outlook Connector installed, have definately been using Hotmail more. Even better, still have my Gmail delivered into the same Outlook profile. Now if only Yahoo would get on board, could get the whole Internet email trinity thing working.

Last edited by bradsday on 21 Dec 2008 - 13:53

#11 QuietStorm21A on 21 Dec 2008 - 18:28

They are still not done with more updates in Jan such as pop access for all hotmail users. Check the link below for more details, but hotmail is looking better in the future.

http://www.liveside.net/main/archive/2008/...ts-to-come.aspx

#12 The One! on 22 Dec 2008 - 07:10

can't see any of my contacts with the new Windows Live Messenger 9.0

#13 ec4912 on 22 Dec 2008 - 18:38

I'm very pleased with this release. The last wave was crashing my browser at work constantly. I wonder if Websense will be able to stop this embedded messenger.

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