• Microsoft's first Hotmail
  • Hotmail gets a big makeover
  • The last MSN Hotmail
  • Hotmail becomes Windows Live Mail
  • Hotmail brings back its classic look
  • Windows Live Hotmail circa 2009
Prev Next
thumb li
1 of 6

Hotmail through the ages (images)

Microsoft's first Hotmail

Microsoft acquired Hotmail in December 1997, and got 8 million users. Here is a screenshot of Hotmail as it looked then.

The venerable program has gone through a variety of looks, from its inception as a pioneer in free e-mail to its current role as a cornerstone of Microsoft's Windows Live service.

Photo by: Microsoft

Hotmail gets a big makeover

Microsoft showed off an early test version of Kahuna at a financial analysts' meeting in July 2005.
Photo by: Microsoft

The last MSN Hotmail

Hotmail, as it looked in early 2006, before its Windows Live makeover was completed.
Photo by: Microsoft

Hotmail becomes Windows Live Mail

An April 2006 test version of Windows Live Mail. Before the service exited beta, Microsoft had brought back the Hotmail name, dubbing the product Windows Live Hotmail.
Photo by: Microsoft

Hotmail brings back its classic look

To assuage critics who found the new look too jarring, Microsoft brought back a "classic view" for the Windows Live product, one that more closely resembled the old Hotmail. That version, which also worked better on slow connections, eventually was made the default option for existing customers.
Photo by: Microsoft

Windows Live Hotmail circa 2009

Here's a look at a more current version of Windows Live Hotmail, reflecting its look as of last year.
Photo by: Microsoft

REVIEW

The most beautiful phone ever has one wildly annoying issue

The Samsung Galaxy S8's fast speeds and fantastic curved screen make it a top phone for 2017, but the annoying fingerprint reader could sour your experience.

Hot Products