Find Friends with the MSN Hotmail Member Directory

The Evolution of Hotmail and Finding the Member Directory

Historically, Hotmail users accessed their email by navigating to Hotmail.com, a process remarkably similar to today’s Gmail experience.

Users developed a familiarity with Hotmail’s interface, and this consistency persisted for an extended period.

Recent Changes to Hotmail’s Interface

In recent times, Microsoft has undertaken substantial changes to Hotmail’s appearance and functionality.

These revisions have led to some users struggling to locate previously memorized features, such as the MSN Hotmail Member Directory.

MUO’s Previous Hotmail Coverage

MakeUseOf (MUO) has previously addressed Hotmail on several occasions.

Jack explored methods for accessing Hotmail messages directly from a Gmail account, while Tim detailed strategies for enhancing the security of your Hotmail email.

Locating and Utilizing the MSN Hotmail Member Directory

If you’re a Hotmail user who has difficulty finding the MSN Hotmail Member Directory, assistance is available.

This guide will help you rediscover the directory and learn how to effectively use it to reconnect with old acquaintances.

The directory provides a valuable tool for finding friends you may have lost touch with over time.

Hotmail’s Evolution into Windows Live

Many users are aware that Hotmail has transitioned from being solely known as MSN Hotmail to now being recognized as Windows Live Hotmail. Consequently, the familiar MSN Hotmail member directory has been superseded by the Windows Live member directory.

A challenge with the updated Windows Live Hotmail platform is the lack of obvious access to the public member directory. Accessing the directory requires navigating from within your Hotmail email account by selecting "Contacts" in the left-hand navigation.

Within the Contacts section, a "Add people" link is available in the left menu. Mirroring trends in other social networks, Microsoft has adopted a design philosophy similar to Facebook. The entire Windows Live social system closely resembles Facebook, including public status updates and friend connections.

Before proceeding, establishing your desired privacy settings for your Windows Live account is crucial. This initial step precedes access to the Windows Live member directory search functionality.

The member directory search page allows importing contacts from other platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Gmail. To initiate a search for individuals within the extensive member directory, click on "Search for people."

The Member Directory search interface functions similarly to a Facebook search, enabling searches by name, employer, school, or other criteria. Given its substantial user base, Windows Live presents a viable option for locating friends and family not found on Facebook.

Entering a friend’s name yields a list of matching profiles on Windows Live. Similar to Facebook, publicly available information such as location, education, and employment details are displayed to aid in identification.

Upon locating a friend, you can invite them to connect as a Windows Live "friend." This enables reciprocal viewing of updates and details, and adds them to your contact list for Windows Live Messenger and other Windows Live applications.

The directory also allows refined searches using variables like gender, location, education, and interests, mirroring Facebook’s People search. This functionality is useful for both reconnecting with past acquaintances and discovering new connections based on shared interests.

Exploring individual Windows Live user pages reveals a layout strikingly similar to Facebook profiles. Microsoft appears to be intentionally aligning with the design preferences of an online community accustomed to status updates and friend-following features.

It is noteworthy that many users readily share personal information publicly. For instance, some individuals provide their home and mobile phone numbers, as well as their email address, on their public Windows Live profiles.

This extensive and publicly accessible member directory serves as a valuable resource for finding friends. While locating the search page may require some effort, signing up for a Windows Live Hotmail account and following the outlined steps unlocks its full potential.

Have you successfully used the Hotmail directory to reconnect with lost friends? Do you actively participate in the Windows Live social network? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.