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How can I switch Hotmail to "Windows Live" view?

I've been running in Hotmail for a long time, but just recently saw a friend log in and was amazed to see that he has a three-pane view, with a preview of the message on the same page as the list of incoming messages! I want! How do I switch?

Dave's Answer:

Hotmail has a variety of different interfaces, actually, though it's not particularly easy to figure out how to get from one to another. What you're using is what they call "Classic View" and it looks like this:

MSN Microsoft Live Hotmail: Classic View

To switch to the newer tri-pane view, you can use the shortcut on the bottom of the page. Look for "Want to race through your inbox even faster? Try the full version of Windows Live Hotmail. (It's free, too.)" and you'll see that "Try the full version of Windows Live Hotmail" is a link. Click it and instantly you'll switch:

MSN Microsoft Live Hotmail: Hotmail Live View

Want to switch back? On the bottom left of that view is a small link "Switch to Classic" that'll do the trick.

If you can't use these shortcuts, you can also just click on "Options" on the top right and you'll see this:

MSN Microsoft Live Hotmail: Options: Switch from Classic to Live View

Again, click on "Try the full version" and you'll switch to the newer, modern version of Hotmail.

Since you're in the newer view, it's worth noting that you can easily specify if you want the "preview pane" to be on the right (as it is in the example), below the list of messages, or hidden a la classic hotmail by clicking on "Options":

MSN Microsoft Live Hotmail: Options Menu

You can also change your theme, which is a slick feature. I particularly like Black, actually. Try it!

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Categorized: Computer and Internet Basics (Article 7359)
Tagged: hotmail, microsoft, msn live, webmail
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Comments

i have a old hotmail account, very old by the looks of it, recently i set up a new account and was amazed at the new look (what u call the classic look).i then tried to change my old account to the ur "classic look2 but it wont let me. could u please give me some tips on sorting this out please. thanks,

Posted by: thomas5924 at May 30, 2007 5:11 PM

If I switch to Hotmail Windows Live, is it Compatible with Mozilla?

Will I have major problems?

Posted by: Sue at September 15, 2007 11:50 PM

hi will ya tell me how do i go back to the old hotmail because aye dont like windows live hotmail

Posted by: Daniel at October 19, 2007 10:26 AM

I would like to switch back to original windows. Do not like windows live classic. how can I do this. thank you I am 83 and cannot learn new things easily. was happy with old setup

Posted by: elsie at October 27, 2007 7:23 PM

i would like to have clasic hotmail thank you

Posted by: theresa at October 30, 2007 8:53 PM

I Wanna switch to classic veiw what do i do?

Posted by: Missi at January 3, 2008 3:08 PM

What wrong with the article. Not correctly mentioned how to revert back to classic verion.
Its really sucks Windows Live.

Posted by: Asdaq at January 25, 2008 1:54 PM

Good day, I need a real help from somebody who is working for hotmail, I have a serious question if I can get help, please contact me in the e-mail please, here samgibbons_0930@hotmail.com

Posted by: Sam Gibbons at February 3, 2008 5:26 PM

Posted by: WASIM ANSARI at April 5, 2008 9:38 AM

I have spent days trying to find a way to switch back please help me! There is no link on the bottom of my screen and if there is it wont allow me to scroll down since there in so botton to scroll down! Im unable to see my contact ot write and email... please please help me sabrinablaschek1986@hotmail

Posted by: Sabrina at November 4, 2008 9:56 AM

i don't have any of these two links nothing in my left dawn corner and nothing in the option page and that new version turned me soooooo mad what can i do i cannot attach any files or seeing my contacts or forward any mail

Posted by: mariam at November 12, 2008 5:02 AM

the link to switch back hotmail classic is deliberately removed. this is another blow on customer's right to choose. no wonder why people joining gmail more. shame on u wlive

Posted by: RANA at November 30, 2008 7:56 PM

I have very important files in my old Hotmail and since they changed Hotmail to the new version I lost all these files !! Could you let me just view the old Hotmail so I can extract the
files.

Posted by: Karel Dupre at January 11, 2009 6:30 AM

Someone got into my e-mail account and has sent a false e-mail that I did not send. I tried to get into my account and hot mail won't accept my pass work because I tried over three time and it kept telling me I need to reset my pass word. How can I get into my e-mail to retrive my messages and see who has been sending false information from my account? I need help now and not have to wait for three days.

Posted by: Janet at January 23, 2009 1:16 PM

Aloha,

I just signed in to hotmail live by accident and now i cant get any of my old emails from the classic view. Can someone help me?

Mahalo,
Susy

Posted by: susy at February 14, 2009 1:05 AM

i dont have that version i have the new one. so how do i get the old version back.

Posted by: nils at March 15, 2009 6:39 PM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!