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.
Related Articles
- Register Windows Live ID with Hotmail @live.com or @windowslive.com or Local Domains
- Windows Live Hotmail
- Opt Out of Windows Live Mail and Get Back to MSN Hotmail Interface
- 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
- Login to Two Google, Gmail, Yahoo!, Windows Live Hotmail and Other Accounts with Google Chrome Incognito Mode
- Move, Transfer, Migrate and Switch from @msn.com or @hotmail.com to @live.com for Fresh Start
- Free XBox Live Arcade Classic Games Online - Frogger, Pac-Man and Galaga
- Microsoft Latest Windows Live Suite And @live.com Email Address Available
Entries (RSS)
January 18th, 2008 06:20
Windows Live Hotmail does not send e-mail in text. Hotmail does. I want to send email in text. So get me back.
January 14th, 2008 12:36
Pat Mac: Consider yourself VERY lucky, and yes, start thinking about switching, because, when the switch comes (which it has for the rest of us), you won’t be happy. During my transition away from MSN Live Mail (I refuse to even honor it by calling it Hotmail, and I see that Microsoft has dropped the reference in many places) after they switched me, I’ve lately noticed several instances when I cannot get onto the server or times when the server is so busy that I can’t tell if a message has actually been sent or not; and yes, that is with premium. Very poor planning– a so-called upgrade with less service? Oh, yeah, it’s Microsoft! I’m very glad to have made the change to another service. Signed, a thoroughly thrilled subscriber of nine years that MSN kicked to the wind!
January 14th, 2008 06:11
Ken, many customers do still have the classic MSN Hotmail look. I myself have it as I never opt’d to upgrade. Customers who have paid MSN accounts or receive MSN e-mail/premium service through their ISP (e.g. Verizon, Bell Canada, etc..) still have the classic MSN classic look unless they chose to upgrade. The login page for hotmail has finally changed from the classic look to live, but the actual email account on my end still has the MSN Hotmail design, same one it has had for 6 years now. I may be switching soon because you have to refresh the page multiple times or else the page is blank after login.
January 12th, 2008 19:41
how can i switch back to original hotmail
pls tell me??
i don’t like hotmail live version
ordinary_boyz@hotmail.com
January 11th, 2008 05:00
I WANT TO SWITCH BACK TO MSN HOTMAIL I DONT LIKE THIS NEW VERSION option of switching back is no longer available plzzz plzz change it everyone has its choce you have some resposibilty towars your customers plzz back that option so those who dont want to use this version they can switch back
December 30th, 2007 08:51
It is obvious that dude is confused and is thinking he does have MSN Hotmail and it really is Windows Live Hotmail. MSN classic Hotmail does not exist anymore.
December 30th, 2007 08:30
dude:
how do you still have msn hotmail??? please let us know!
December 29th, 2007 22:58
Ehh, I still have MSN Hotmail.
December 19th, 2007 04:34
i want to switch to MSN hotmail but i dont have (switch to MSN hotmail) Option ??!!!!
December 17th, 2007 17:57
Thank you very much Stephen, I appriciate it. It’s just, Yahoo Mail gives us the option of switching back to the old classic style, and it just blows me away that hotmail doesn’t do the same, because the thing is, not everyone is going to be happy with the new style, and it’s like Mircosoft doesn’t even care about the people who enjoyed the old style of it.
Yeah… But oh well I guess.
Thanks again, and merry christmas.
December 16th, 2007 23:42
Jonathan, et al:
The information posted here and elsewhere about reverting to Classic Hotmail is not false, it is just dated– AS OF NOV 1 2007 CLASSIC CEASED TO EXIST.
I, too, had used hotmail as my primary address– for personal and business use –since the late ’90s, and it’s been more than a couple of pains to recover. It’s not free (or even cheap), but for business users, I can personally recommend Webmail.us –it has an interface that is nearly identical to the old hotmail. They have a few quirks that I don’t particularly care for, but I’ve gotten used to them in a couple of weeks. For free services, I know more than a few acquaintences who have changed to inbox.com and been mostly happy with the result.
Classic Hotmail was a fantastic program and I guess we’re all fortunate that Microsoft waited so long to screw it up. It’s too bad that they misled us into thinking the change to Live Hotmail was an upgrade; it’s also too bad that they decided at the last minute to even attach the Hotmail name to the new product.
But, that’s life . . .
December 16th, 2007 19:08
I read the instructions, yet, I still can’t switch back to the Classic MSN Hotmail like I want too. THIS IS BULL!!!
Honestly, I have a really BIG problem with his new Windows Live Hotmail crap. This is the one e-mail address that I normally use to e-mail my co-workers, family and all that, and this huge switch to Windows live hotmail has screwed that all up, because now, whenever someone e-mail’s me a picture, looks like a pathedic little tic tac, and when I used Classic MSN Hotmail, it was the right size, and it didn’t shrink the pic to a damn ant like Windows like hotmail does.
Plus now, I lose important messages that I NEED for work, and with Classic MSN Hotmail, I never had this problem.
Now damn it all, will someone PLEASE tell me how I can switch back to Classic MSN Hotmail, and with no false information, PLEASE!!! I would really really appriciate it.
December 15th, 2007 02:16
Since the introduction of the NEW MSN Windows Live and Hotmail, I have not been able to sign-in with my previously used email, username, and password. Therefore losing all my previous contacts and email messages with the old hotmail. Is there a way I can still retrieve them ?? I was forced to sing in with a new email user address, why?
December 3rd, 2007 22:35
can u plz put us back on msn or can u put the winks on the new msn and the nudge and convos like they used to be please cos we all wan it back who eva wants it back email I LOL
safe bloods
November 21st, 2007 11:48
That is what I call “authoritarianism” from Microsoft,but do not forget that we can control it. Start using Firefox, Linux, Apple, there are better alternatives out there.
November 19th, 2007 22:10
l want to go back to original msn mail. not msn hotmail. there’s no way to do it..l’ve tried everything..guess we’ll have to wait for another version.
November 19th, 2007 13:39
i want to return to my original hotmail plz..
Bcs orinial hotmail is better in every way (Look wise,functionality wise etc.)form windows live.
November 19th, 2007 13:29
i want to return to my original hotmail plz..
November 19th, 2007 13:28
i want to return to my original hotmail plz..
because I ma comfortable with classic version of hotmail.
November 18th, 2007 10:02
please help he switch bac this shit is crazy..
November 18th, 2007 07:19
Since the new hotmail is not as good as the old hotmail, and since it now appears that we (at least some of us) can no longer switch back from “Live”, what is the next best alternative? Is there another Webmail service that is comparable to the old hotmail? I haven’t found it yet if there is, but I’m still hoping! It sure would be nice if the old interface could be resurrected by someone else now that Microsoft has ditched it…
November 15th, 2007 08:01
Sorry folks, I think we’re lost it. Less and less comment as people either leave hotmail or get used to the new ghastly format. Just shows you, if you sit there like Microsoft has since they changed our dear old hotmail and do nothing, people run out of puff……however, I will never buy a Microsoft product again and my next computer will be an Apple.
November 15th, 2007 07:19
i want to return to my original hotmail plz..
November 5th, 2007 05:14
Tabasco, can you please give us the link which leads to the “Switch to MSN Hotmail” in the accounts where this option is still available? Maybe we can trick them if we see/arrive at the page indicated by that link.
Thank you!
>>> Tabasco wrote (on July 22nd, 2007 01:09)
Vanguard I’m not sure if you’re right because I have several hotmail accounts, and at one account I don’t see the “switch to old version” anywhere in the options, while another does. What’s the explanation too that?
November 2nd, 2007 15:50
sorry all this in vain ur instruction is not right no hints for switch back to original hotmail. ru fooling us? or wht? any way ur in the way for losing ur subsceibers coz as i see lots are not satisfied wiz ur new version
Alas, hotmail was wonderful and by ur new develpment u make it sooooooooooo BAD