Leave Windows Live Hotmail and Revert Back to Classic MSN Hotmail
Windows Live Hotmail which was briefly named as Windows Live Mail during beta, is officially launched as final version. Windows Live Hotmail is the new web-based email service from Microsoft which is intended as the replacement for the classic old MSN Hotmail existed since 1995. Major enhancements in Windows Live Hotmail are extensive use of AJAX for interactive feature and free 2GB email storage space. From 7 May 2007, all new Hotmail accounts will be created as Windows Live Hotmail accounts, while existing MSN Hotmail users can update to Windows Live Hotmail by clicking on the “Join Windows Live Hotmail” button below the Hotmail logo, with beta users automatically switched.
However, the user interface of Windows Live Hotmail is not as intuitive, as responsive or as attractive as you would have expected. After switching over, you may regret your choice and would like to revert back to the old classic Hotmail interface. Luckily, Microsoft still provide a way to switch back to MSN Hotmail, with the downside that you may lose your free 2GB space. Here’s how to do it.
There’re 2 version of Windows Live Hotmail – full version with all the AJAX capabilities such as address auto-complete, reading pane, color schemes and keyboard shortcuts, and classic version which pretty much resemble the user interface the original Hotmail. In fact, classic Windows Live Hotmail interface version is recommended for users with slow internet connection or a monitor that is under 1024 x 768 pixels. If you want to keep the 2GB free space, this is the best option to opt for.
Switch to classic version of Windows Live Hotmail
Simply look for “Switch to classic” link located in the bottom left corner, and you’re done.
Switch back to original MSN Hotmail
If you want to revert back to MSN Hotmail, and don’t care whether you have the free 2GB mail space, click on Options on the top right corner (in full version, a pull down menu will be shown, where you should further click on More Options). You will see the following message.
For full version:
You’re using the full version of Windows Live Hotmail.
Click here to try the classic version, which is good for slow connections.
You can also Switch to MSN Hotmail.
For classic version:
You are using the classic version of Windows Live Hotmail.
Have a fast connection and want more features? Try the full version to see message previews in your inbox. (It’s free, too.)
You can also Switch to MSN Hotmail.
So to revert, click on “Switch to MSN Hotmail”. In the Switch Back page, confirm by clicking on Switch back button. And you’re back to original MSN Hotmail.
Related Articles
- Opt Out of Windows Live Mail and Get Back to MSN Hotmail Interface
- Register Windows Live ID with Hotmail @live.com or @windowslive.com or Local Domains
- Download Windows Live Hotmail for Mobile Beta
- Set Windows Live Messenger to Always Auto Login to Hotmail Using Internet Explorer (IE)
- Windows Live Hotmail
- Windows Live Hotmail Free 5GB Email Storage Space
- How to Send Full Size Photos or Pictures with Windows Live (MSN) Hotmail
- How to Turn Off and Skip MSN/Windows Live Hotmail Today News Direct to Inbox
- How to Change Windows Live (Hotmail and Messenger) Password
- Move, Transfer, Migrate and Switch from @msn.com or @hotmail.com to @live.com for Fresh Start
Entries (RSS)
December 14th, 2008 23:22
This is annoying. I think this is the last straw. I switched to a mac because windows sucks, not windows has made hotmail suck too. Does not work with safari!!!
Screw it, I’m going to gmail. Why do they do this? Can’t microsoft be happy with the 90% market share they already have? Do they have to punish us non-windows users by not making their hotmail compatible too? Screw you microsoft!
You suck!!!
December 11th, 2008 11:14
With this new Hotmail Version i can not find any emails in my folders……..what happened to them?
December 9th, 2008 18:14
i can do easily mails by using old hotmail version
December 8th, 2008 18:59
Windows live mail continues to be unreliable will not allow me to spell check in Safari Continues to deliberately be in compatible with browsers other than Microsoft to try to again force users to use IE. Switching to Gmail which remains reliable which is what I need in a communications medium if your phone only worked 75 % of the time you’d switch.
Microsoft yet again have made incompatibility their trade mark in an attempt to corner the market. Switched to Mac because of vista now driven to Gmail because of hot mail. Microsoft wants to actually listen to people rather than geeks that want to show off their superior tech knowledge who dont live in the real world but live in cuber space.
December 8th, 2008 16:28
Im having troubles with mine, clicking the options button just freezes up the internet. Java sucks
December 7th, 2008 19:06
Is anybody else finding it increasungly difficult to access their hotmail account at all? Almost every day, there’s a period where the website is completely inaccessible, (like now). I don’t think it’s just my laptop as it happens when I try other computers. Hotmail has been an incredibly useful tool for me but I’m beginning to regret being dependent on it when it’s becoming so unreliable. What’s going on? Any suggestions of any alternative free e-mail services I can sign up to that won’t let me down? Thanks.
December 1st, 2008 03:41
I have a PAID account, Hotmail Plus, and I now get a screwed up, almost useless service with no support – unless I pay them $49.00. (Probably more.) I have a paid account so I could use Outlook Express with Hotmail. Now they have stolen my address book and put it on their new useless, annoying system, Windows Live. I can’t receive Hotmail unless I use a free Hotmail system. My computer is crashing several times a day, and my keyboard flutters when I sign into Windows Live Hotmail. What were they thinking. They have used my address book without my permission, extracted names from it, and now have hooked up my address book with Face Book! I didn’t not agree to that! This new system is invading my privacy and the privacy of my friends and personal business contacts. This stinks.
November 29th, 2008 20:54
the new hotmail of november 2009 is making me mad
unable to open a single mail!
cant even switch back now!
November 28th, 2008 18:57
I want my hotmail reverted back to Classic version. There are too many problems with the Live Hotmail. Biggest mistake ever made accepting this version. Need Classic back.
November 28th, 2008 12:30
I really hate this live new version of hotmail. It totally sucks! Everytime i got some important email, this freaking hotmail won’t open. Damn. I think i definately going to change to other company! DAMN HOTMAIL!
November 27th, 2008 00:21
como faço para retornar para o hotmail classico?
November 25th, 2008 23:05
I think the FCC should be involved in Microsofts failure to actually switch people back to Classic Windows Hotmail. NONE OF THE SUPPOSED WAYS TO SWITCH BACK ARE EITHER PRESENT AS YOU SAY THEY ARE OR DO NOT ACCOMPLISH THE RELATIVELY SIMPLE TASK OF RESUMING CLASSIC HOTMAIL. NONE OF MY PREVIOUS E-MAILS ABOUT THIS ISSUE HAVE RESULTED IN THE CHANGE I AND SO MANY OTHERS ARE REQUESTING.
I WANT A SOLUTION TO THIS MESS.
November 22nd, 2008 20:18
EU QUERO O HOTMAIL CLASSICO DE VOLTA !!!
quem foio Burro que fez essa merda de novidade?
November 22nd, 2008 18:30
This is really annoying me i can’t do anything with this stupid email i can’t send or delete anything it’s all over the place it’s not even letting me click on the folders it’s horrible i can’t even work on my emails anymore please do some thing .!!
November 21st, 2008 23:20
I agree with all the previous people, this new Live is terrible and somebody has made a big mistake with this one. I have now moved to Gmail and Yahoo and would love to move back to Hotmail, which I have had for the past 5 years with no complaints.
This new version does not function well, and is a waste of time. For the lady who had the font too large to read – this happened to me also. Went to windows and clicked on “restore to original” I now have micro-font, but at least I can read things.
MSN, please fire the ones who created this new Live Email, and get somebody that can just press a button and switch us back to the regular version.
Did this just happen in America or did it affect the whole world’s Hotmail. What happened to the good old “Freedom of Choice?”
Everybody who dislikes this version, please keep complaining and telling people about this site so that they know they are not alone.
Polly
November 21st, 2008 09:32
Please switch me back to classic version. when i click on more options i don’t get anything that mentions classic version or otherwise.
November 20th, 2008 22:13
when i click options, all i get is a display change to change the color of my hot mail, I want my old hot mail back for this one is too small and i cant read it.
November 19th, 2008 10:07
To Whom it may concern:
Pleaae revert me back to the old Hotmail format as I have problems with the new Live Mail. It won’t scroll and the addresses are not right. Thank you…….chris west
November 19th, 2008 09:36
Just like someone already said, fuck yourselves Windows Live team with all those gay colors!!!!!
switching to gmail here.
November 19th, 2008 07:25
i my self do not like the new one please please please put it back to the classic version… i do not have any thing on my page that says switch back to classic,,,and when i forword stuff to my friends not all contacts are showing up because , the page will not scroll …and the inbox page is to wide and my pc it is set to narrow page ,,, but the inbox page is still to wide ,,, and also it says that if your pc is slow or your monitors resulation is under 1024×768,that the classic version is best … sooooo why cant i get the classic version since my monitor is only 800×600…. i realy would like to have the classic version back and from what iv read there are alot of people who think the same way…and ill tell ya it has nothing to do with change , its all about the performance of the site, but it doesnt seem to be performing very well, frome where i sit … just please wont u listen and believe us it has nothing to do with change we,just want it 2 work right …
November 18th, 2008 07:37
Quiero cambia mi hotmail para el “hotmail clasic” no quiero ,,ni me gusta el live mail ..gracias ,,josefina
November 18th, 2008 03:04
my entire inbox is gone. Though I’m logged into my account, the message I see where my inbox used to be is “You don’t have an inbox…yet. Sign up for Windows Live Hotmail and get a free, customizable inbox with lots of storage and great security. Note: Whether you use Hotmail or not, you can always go to your contact list.”
can anyone here enlighten me? sigh.
November 17th, 2008 06:36
Today when I went to Hotmail to send an email I discovered MY ENTIRE CONTACT LIST IS WIPED OUT, NOTHING THERE!!!. Hotmail users BE WARNED!!
November 16th, 2008 10:32
This won’t work for me. :C
I don’t get the message saying, “You’re using the full version of Windows Live Hotmail.
Click here to try the classic version, which is good for slow connections.
You can also Switch to MSN Hotmail.” when I click on more options.
November 15th, 2008 06:12
I think it’s cak meself, why change things, if it aint broken tec..these people must be politicians [on a diff planet]. anyway there are lot of free mail services out there. I only use hotmail to sign-up for stuff, that I know will spam me..