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.
Share and contribute or get technical support and help at My Digital Life Forums.
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Entries (RSS)
September 16th, 2007 07:23
THIS SUCKS!!!
THIS SUCKS!!!
THIS SUCKS!!!
THIS SUCKS!!!
THIS SUCKS!!!
THIS SUCKS!!!
THIS SUCKS!!!
THIS SUCKS!!!
THIS SUCKS!!!
THIS SUCKS!!!
THIS SUCKS!!!
THIS SUCKS!!!
Oh…
THIS SUCKS!!!
Nazi’s…give me back without invading my territory!
Assohles
September 16th, 2007 04:22
Windows live sucks! it wont let me delete emails. I tried three different methods to revert back but any time it said something like “click the switch back link” the link didnt exist! It’s just not an option. Its driving me crazy.
September 16th, 2007 00:53
I am extermely annoyed with MSN’s decision to “upgrade” to a new version of hotmail. The only helpful feature is the option to save all sent messages. But the interface is now extremely clutterd. My laptop has a 15″ screen, and the amount of blank area when composing a message in Hotmail is now about 10%! What’s the point of having a 15″ screen? Also, there is no option to have incoming and outgoing mail in plain text, which is unacceptable. This is the main reason why I would like to change e-mail accounts at this point. Except hotmail seems to do everything to make changing accounts difficult - not possible to forward e-mail to gmail! It is also not possible with hotmail to download e-mail onto Outlook Express. So pretty much everything stinks about hotmail, and I regret having opened an account with them. Their switch to MSN Live Hotmail marks the end of the era of free e-mail accounts - at least for me.
September 15th, 2007 22:40
This is putrid… The new Windows Live layout looks like trash, I can not believe there is not “switch back” button. This better be resolved within in the week or I am switching to GMail.
September 15th, 2007 22:33
JUST A CLICK WOULD DO
I thought it was only me. But now seeing how many others HATES WINDOWS LIVE Too! I have been with MSN HOTMAIL for over 10 years.I submited a total of 4 comments to windows live and then it still took me an hour to find this “where I’m at now”! There should be a easier way to get back to THE GOOD OLD MSN HOTMAIL. “I will not even go there” about the CLICK ON HERE if you would like to go BACK to MSN HOTMAIL
Hopefully there will be someone updating this problem. And I can’t wait to show my husband that I was NOT the only one with this problem. I would hate to leave now after having my e/mail address for so long.
Sorry, I HATE WINDOWS LIVE
Thank You for listening to my 5th comment
September 15th, 2007 20:46
switch to back hotmail
September 15th, 2007 15:05
Please revert my Windows Live to classic hotmail (the old version of hotmail).
September 15th, 2007 10:30
I agree with everyone here… the new look was just shoved in both of my mail accounts… there was no e-mail asking me if I would like to switch, and no “revert back” button.
This is totally unacceptable, and I am now trying to locate means to sign a petition or other means to put pressure on them to change the looks back.
Until they wake-up and smell the roses, I am stopping using my emails; I’ll try and find another tool for now.
What utter non-sense.
Good luck to all of us.
— François
September 15th, 2007 07:48
I have been having fits with this issue as well for 3 weeks with no workable suggestions from my internet provider. Yesterday, out of desparation, I keyd ‘MSN downloads’ into google and then downloaded MSN 8. That gave me the butterfly on my desktop. When I bring up that as my homepage, I am able to access my hotmail through Mail and More. You might try it. Not much to lose at this point. What a nightmare.
September 15th, 2007 06:46
I too just logged on to my account of 6 years and was horrified to see this “new and improved” update of theirs. If they don’t give me the option to switch back within the next week I will be switching to gmail and will have washed my hands of MSN for good!
September 15th, 2007 00:52
Its very unprofessional to have my email account changed automatically. If this problem isn’t corrected extremely soon I will not be using hotmail in the near future. I’m exhausted with this forced “beta” or “live” thing. If I have to go to the trouble of changing I won’t ever be back. Please give me the option to change back to my original msn hotmail.
September 14th, 2007 19:24
this is bad…I just logged in to my account to discover I have been automatically updated to the new Live mail…Horrible!!! And there is no switch back to MSN Hotmail button anymore…WTF is wrong with the Live Team in Microsoft…
September 14th, 2007 09:16
Assuming that by this time next week I’m still subjected to this torture I will have to go through the hassle of changing email accounts.I’ve had this one for years. Thanks for nothing Bill.
I want a simple email account. I must be able to rely on the fact that it will never lose my saved mail. It must be easy to access over the web, and it should almost never go down. I don’t need a ton of space.What do y’all recommend ? Yahoo ? G-mail ?
Steve
September 14th, 2007 07:00
Yeah, what the hell is this garbage? Today I went to hotmail.com and that was it — there was no going back. It just automatically reverts me to Windows Live Mail now; there is no option I see to get back to the old hotmail which I’d like. Live Mail sucks.
September 14th, 2007 06:01
I want my old Hotmail back!!!! I’ve been using the same e-mail address for TEN years and I can’t find a switch back button!!
Help!!!!!
September 13th, 2007 12:55
Feeling frustrated, I just like the old verison better too– its only lets me switch between “CLASSIC” aka NEW LIVE or “FULL” aka even sucker NEW LIVE verison–wtf i’ve had my email account for years and this is bogus, i kept trying NOT to switch and i could log in one day and i think i did it by accident on a different computer…anyone out there have any advice on how to just go back to the OLD MSN HOTMAIL.
September 13th, 2007 10:22
I want to switch back to the old homail but the option to switch back is no longer there.
I am not able to open my hotmail on certain computers and I don;t know why. But I know this happened after I have switched over to the new Hotmail Live.
September 12th, 2007 22:54
I lost all of my emails and contacts when it auto upgraded me to Hotmail Live. There is no customer service to speak to either. I have now closed both of my Hotmail accounts. Gmail is what I use for now.
September 12th, 2007 17:58
fk windows live its a disgrace!!
September 12th, 2007 10:35
same issue, want to switch back to old reliable version of HOTMAIL… and get rid of this crappy Windows Live - There is no switch back to classic hotmail option! WHY!?!?!?! HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!
i hate this new windows live BS.
September 11th, 2007 17:06
I face a problem when i tried to switch back to msn hotmail…There is no switch back option
September 3rd, 2007 01:53
new hotmail is a devil for old users like me who use dial up and lower versions of windows……..i haven’t understood what is this live actulally means HOTMAIL MEMBERS GIVE US OLD USERS OUR OLD HOTMAIL INBOX
September 1st, 2007 15:27
ok, i know not many people are using dial up, but the old MSN Hotmail is WAY faster than the new Classic Hotmail. iknow, iknow, with broadband who cares, but one day you NEED to check your email via old modem, you’d really really want mSN Hotmail
August 20th, 2007 05:57
Actually, it is still there, but i belive only for people who have used MSN Hotmail (not live).
I switched and it was really buggy, i went into options and it was there.
Please clarify, Davo
August 19th, 2007 18:28
well,
I also face the same problem with this new version
clicking the delete button won’t work
waste of time nonsense