Q: “Why do I have to include @hotmail.com with my email address every time I log on to hotmail?”  > Every time I log on to hotmail I have to append "@hotmail.com". This
> strikes me as ridiculous since I am already at a Windows site before I
> even begin to log on. I don't have to type anything to log on to Gmail,
> and only my name on Yahoo. (Plus passwords, of course) – John L.

My wife complains to me about this one too. The reason for it is because we have so many users, we created multiple domains (a domain is the word after the @ symbol - @domain.com) so that people could continue getting email addresses they wanted (like John, instead of john19872). We now have @hotmail, @live, and @msn. So while Yahoo! would have one john; Microsoft could have several.   People also have the ability to create an "EASI passport", which means you can associate your non-Microsoft email address with a Live ID, and use that to sign in instead of creating a @hotmail or other address. You can do that here. Select the option Use your own email address and complete the other fields. You will then be able to access Windows Live services with your existing email address.

Q: When writing an email; why is my compose page is so small? – Carol B.

This began happening when we released our latest service update in March. We have identified this to be a bug and are currently working on the resolution. We plan to have this fixed in the upcoming release later this year.

Q: How can I get notified when I receive a new Hotmail e-mail? – Peter F.

There are a few different ways you can receive new e-mail alerts including:

·         You can setup an alert on your mobile device. Learn how here.

·         If you are a Windows Live Messenger user, you can receive alerts when you receive a new email. Learn how here.  If you use Windows Live Mail, you can set up sound notifications by accessing the “Tools” menu and selecting “Options…”

Here is what you should see:

Q: How do I add a contact? – Jessica B.

You can add contacts in a few different ways depending on if you use Windows Live Hotmail or if you use Windows Live Mail.  You can learn about Windows Live Hotmail contacts here and Windows Live Mail here.

Q: How do I set up an automatic vacation reply? – Lyle S.

That’s a great question now that summer has arrived.  Setting up an automatic vacation reply is a very simple task. You can read how to do it here.

Q: Why am I prompted to log in twice when I use Hotmail? - Mary K.

This has been identified as a bug in Windows Live ID that is specific to users with an @msn account and using a non-Microsoft browser; such as Firefox, Safari, and Opera.  The product group has identified the problem and is working on the resolution. The service will be updated with the fix in the upcoming release slated for later this year.

Q: My emails have the wrong time-stamp on them. How do I change it? – Bob D.

You can change your time zone setting by doing the following:

1.       Go to Options

2.       Click on “View and edit your personal information”

3.       Click on “Registered Information”

4.       Scroll down to the “Time zone” drop down and select the appropriate one

5.       Click Save

6.       Click “Sign out” in the upper right corner

7.       Navigate back to www.hotmail.com and sign back into your account

Q: Can I create sub-folders within my folders in Hotmail? – John R.

You cannot create sub-folders within Hotmail.

Q: My mom can’t get into her Hotmail account since she received an email asking her to change her password.” Summer D.

Unfortunately, it sounds like your mother has fallen subject to a phishing scam.  In the June newsletter I created a story that details how some people use this type of scam to gain personal information or take over email accounts for SPAM purposes. To regain access, please have her submit a request to our Help Center. And then you both should read the entry on identity protection on my blog to learn how to prevent this in the future.