Transition to Outlook from Hotmail

Having used Hotmail for a very long-time, when Outlook.com was first introduced, I wasn't all that certain that I liked the changes.  However, it did not take long to appreciate the different features and I have put behind me any skepticism I had about the change.

Even though the migration of your Hotmail account to Outlook.com was completed a number of weeks ago, you may still be struggling to discover how to complete tasks that were second nature before the migration.

First a few quick tips and then a closer look at attachments and the Actions link.  

Quick Tips

Following is a selection of quick tips that will help you navigate the new design for Outlook.com:

• To see the Menu bar, click any e-mail.
• Click "New" to start a new e-mail.
• To add additional recipient(s) to an e-mail, click To or the box below To.
• To reply all or forward an e-mail, click the down arrow next to Reply or click Actions, shown below.

Attachments

Sending and replying to e-mail is, of course, the primary function of your account.  Often times that includes an attachment to accompany the message.

The familiar paperclip icon has been relocated from the e-mail creation area to a more logical location, the Menu bar.  This change makes complete sense due to the ability to not only attach a file but also embed a picture inline or share a file or picture from SkyDrive.

Hotmail Before:

Outlook.com After:

The change to Outlook.com still includes the familiar paperclip icon.  It is the wording and location that have changed.  Insert is a better description because the option to insert pictures inline or share a link to a file from SkyDrive can also be added to your e-mail.

• Selecting "Files as attachments" is the familiar option for attaching a file or picture that can be downloaded by the recipient.
   
• When you select "Pictures inline", you can navigate to an image to embed the picture right in the e-mail. Repeat the action to add additional pictures.
   
• I love SkyDrive and believe that "Share from SkyDrive" is the ideal way to send large files rather than weighing family and friends inbox with large files. 
  
  Sharing from SkyDrive is also much easier than selecting multiple pictures with the "Pictures inline" option since it is a one-step process to select multiple files at one time.  Place a check in each picture or document to be shared by clicking the image or file name.
  
  
  
  
  
  There will be a note at the bottom of the e-mail with instructions to the recipient to click the link to access the file(s).

Actions

It is not uncommon that there is more than one way to accomplish a task.  For example, one way to print an e-mail is to click the ellipsis (...) from the Menu bar and select Print.  With keyboard shortcuts set, the keyboard shortcut Shift +P will also provide the print option.  

There is a third way to print e-mails as well as access other useful functions.  With the e-mail open, clicking the familiar Actions link, carried forward from a Windows Live Hotmail update, provides not only the link to print but other immediate actions such as Forward, Delete or identifying the e-mail as Junk.  

Although the Outlook.com Junk e-mail filters are excellent, information contained in the message source, often referred to as the "Full Header" is useful when questioning whether an e-mail that slips through is a phishing attempt or spoofed address.  

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I am an Outlook.com and SkyDrive Insider.  If you have a question about this article, please leave a comment and I'll do my best to assist.

Learn more about the Outlook.com Insiders program here or the SkyDrive Insiders program from here.