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.
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Entries (RSS)
October 4th, 2007 14:12
CLASSIC COKE RETURNED,SO PERHAPS THE OLD HOTMAIL,I HAVE BEEN USING FOR MANY YEARS,WILL DO THE SAME? ‘NAWT-BLUDDY-LOIKLEY!!”
I CUSSED OUT MSN VIA A COMPALINT-MAIL TO SOME DORKUS MSN WORKER-DRONE AND SHE HAD THE STANDARD RESPONSE OF MOSTLY IGNORING MY REQUEST TO SWITCH BACK(I ASKED HER TO DO THIS FOR ME)AS IT WAS MORE OR LESS …’YOUR FU#KED AND LIVE WITH IT DUDE’.
THE CLASSIC LIVE VERSION IS SLOOOWWW AND JUST SUCKS,BIG TIME.WHAT A BUNCH OF OVER PAID CORPIRATE IDIOT,CASSHOLES!
October 4th, 2007 04:10
Just opened my inbox today to check the emails and only to find myself in live hotmail instead of the old classic version, They trapped me. I could come out of the beta at the time when there was that link which allowed us to go back whereas the other people who were late to change it back couldn’t do it. So i was real happy and telling some people than i didn’t change mine to the new one when they were complaining. And many people know my this one email. And it’s hard to get another one now. SO HOTMAIL F*** YOU MAN. EVERYBODY’S SPITTING ON YOU AND YOUR WHOLE F***ING TEAM. PEOPLE WORKING THERE SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF EVEN SAYING WE’RE WORKING WITH THE HOTMAIL. DAMN YOU, BITCHES..
Sorry for the swearing/cursing (NOT SORRY TO HOTMAIL AND IT’S F***ING TEAM)..
October 3rd, 2007 08:29
I know this has been said… but GODDAMNIT I HATE WINDOWS LIVE MAIL! the goddamn thing doesnt let me view my mail or anything! %*#^)$#*^_$%&($%)&(#@)^*@!!@!!!!! >=| I’ve been with hotmail for years now and i want to leave! .. but howthehell am i going to get my emails from hotmail?
…bitches..
October 3rd, 2007 01:40
Well I swithed to Gmail & bye bye hotmail you realy f!@#$ up things. Been waiting 2 weeks for these f!@#$ to change it back but no responce from them. I think they’re going to loose alot of clients “goodbye” msn hotmail crap.
October 2nd, 2007 22:50
And what’s with the so-called “classic” view option in WINDOWS LIVE HOTMAIL? No way is there anything classic about it, It’s just a slow connection version of the lousy new format.
October 2nd, 2007 11:19
it’s just fake you just decided to force us to using your service even if we don’t agree.
I’ll switch to gmail it’s the best for me
October 2nd, 2007 11:05
I’ve noticed another half-assed “improvement” that the LIVE HOTMAIL update forces on users. If you download and save emails in the pintable format (the only format that I am able to download) for offline reading, the average size taken up by a brief downloaded email has increased TEN-FOLD — from 12kb to 120kb!
I know it’s not a major deal if you’ve got a newer computer with tons and tons of excess storage space for huge video games and whatnot, but why the hell does the LIVE format need to hog ten times more space than the MSM Hotmail format ever did?
What a piece of bloated crap.
October 2nd, 2007 08:43
ahhhhhh!!! FUCK THIS! I need major help.. is there any way of switching back to msn hotmail.. i accidently updated today and ive been trying to switch back but i cant.. FUCK WINDOWS LIVE SHIT.. some one please help, im about to start smashing stuff…
October 2nd, 2007 01:42
I agree with all of you, I don’t like this
Window Live Messenger at all which was forced on me without my consent! I want the Classic MSN Hotmail back, the beauty of simplicity!! I sent my feedback,to no avail nor response – Plan to copy/paste this link and sent it also, maybe they will hear us out … New doesn’t always mean better.
October 2nd, 2007 01:17
Hotmail used to be easy. Then Microsoft got involved. Now I can’t login on windows live
for hotmail, or hotmail. Microsoft! Leave
things that aren’t broken ALONE! You’ve messed this up so badly, we’ll never ever get it back as easy and simple as it was. How the
Hell do I get my email now?
October 1st, 2007 00:58
i agree with all ov u i fink dey shud bring bck de old msn hotmail
September 30th, 2007 07:31
Has anyone seen or received even the slighest response from Microsoft about all the crappy changes and non-improvements it’s it made to Hotmail. Does anyone think Microsoft has paid any attention to a single feedback comment?
Me neither.
September 30th, 2007 01:59
WTF… I’m from amsterdam. And today they forced me to live mail. WHat the hell is this. Before this happend already and with a trick (changing the language i could activate the switch back button) But now it seems they are not giving this option anymore and im stuck in Live mail. I HATE LIVE. If they dont give me the option to go back soon. I’m going to leave hotmail. (and i used this for over 10 yrs.) Can’t believe they didnt gave us a option.
thanks for listening.
September 29th, 2007 23:22
Try as I might to follow the above instructions to switch back to the OLD regular hotmail I do not get the same instructions as listed and can’t seem to do it! Argh. The new Live Hotmail sucks butt!
September 29th, 2007 04:50
Please issue an information bulletin for those wishing to REVERT TO CLASSIC hotmail as was in place prior to WINDOWS LIVE HOTMAIL. There are many of us quite satisfied with this edition of hotmail
Thank you, Gordon
September 29th, 2007 01:28
I AM NOT AT ALL PLEASED WITH HOTMAIL ANYMORE
September 29th, 2007 01:27
WELL WELL I AM NOT THE LEAST BIT SURPRISED AT THE FOOLS AT THIS WWB SITE FOR SOME REASON THEY WANT US TO SEND THEM INFORMATION ON WHAT WE THINK OR WHAT WE WANT ,AND THEY DON’T EVEN ANSWER OUR MESSAGES.I DON’T KNOW ABOUT THE REST OF THE PEOPLE WHO USE HOTMAIL,BUT IF I DON’T GET BACK THE HOTMAIL CLASSIC VERISON IN THE NEXT 12 HOURS I WILL BE GOING TO GMAIL OR EVEN YAHOO MAIL.TAKE TIME TO READ THESE AND HAVE THE COMMON SENSE TO ANSWER US.
September 28th, 2007 18:26
To make matters worse for me, their bozo update has “improved” the reply and forwarding functions by removing the left border line and smaller type size that used to consolidate and distinguish quoted passages. The new version formats quotes as run-on sentences piled into a block the same type size as the reply to the message or introduction to forwarded lines.
What a patronizing and needless insult to users of the previously simple and attractive Hotmail template.
September 27th, 2007 23:10
THIS IS F-IN SHITE!!
I hate it!!!
And there is no option to change it back!!!!
Ive e-mailed them with the feedback thing but Im not expecting anything to change…
I think I may just get a Google Mail….
September 27th, 2007 03:57
Fuckers bring me back my classic MSN hotmail version, you really like to make things complicated always.
September 26th, 2007 17:50
I am PISSED OFF!!! Imagine going for business trip to Europe,leaving country with sweet clasic version and arriving at the destination,hook up on internet and find this frigging Live crap staring at me!!!! I HATE IT WITH PASSION!!! I want my old version back!!
Regards Alena
September 26th, 2007 12:59
EVERYONE! BOTTOM RIGHT OF YOUR HOTMAIL PAGE!
“feedback” option
theres an option for
“i want to give feedback about being automatically updated to windows live hotmail”
tell them what you think about it everyone. maybe if they realize how much we all hate it they’ll let us switch back.
September 26th, 2007 12:41
it doesn’t give you the option of switching back anymore. but… ARGHHHH i HATE Live. Both the Messenger and the Hotmail. It was perfectly fine before, but now my computer lags like a douche every time i try to use it.
I swear, hotmail will lose more people than win them over from other mailing services with the way they run things.
September 26th, 2007 03:58
What is going on !!! it’s really bad from Microsoft to change to the new bad style without care about the users !!!
WE NEED TO GET BACK THE OLD HOTMAIL STYLE !!!
PLEASE DO SOMETHING
September 25th, 2007 04:04
What the hell is going on. I can’t revert back from a version of hotmail I never asked to have. This is really frustrating me. Everytime Microsoft comes out with anew version they think only of speed, never with usability. Please bring back the simplicity of the older version.