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Comparison: What are the differences between Outlook, MSN, Live, Hotmail and which one is better?

Since 1989, Microsoft has had a constant evolution in its office tools and this of course includes the email account. The The initial step was the creation of Hotmail, a platform on which many created their first email. and they maintain it to this day.

Within a few months of being released, statistics indicated that more than 8 million people had created a Hotmail account, system that since 1997 was bought by Microsoft and it is there where resounding changes begin, until you get to Outlook, as it is currently known.

In this tutorial you will know the history of Outlook, going through the most important moments that have left a mark on the users of messaging services. In the end, you will see the improvements that the current version has with respect to all the previous ones.

Are all Microsoft mail services the same?

All Microsoft Products

With Microsoft account, it is possible to manage subscriptions that are performed to various services provided by the company, including Skype, Windows 10, OneDrive, Xbox Live and of course Outlook. All of them are linked to each other. With the same username and password, it is possible to send and receive e-mails, facilitating the management of the various accounts from one place.

Evolution of Microsoft Mail When did it start and how has it changed?

Microsoft Mail, which was the first service for local networks, began operating in 1991, initially with architectures for Macintosh and another for PC architecture based on LAN networks.

However, in the long run they both gave way to other modifications, as explained in the following sections:

Hotmail

Old Hotmail interface

As for email as it is known today, Hotmail was one of the pioneers, as well as free since its foundation. The launch was on July 4, nineteen ninety six, with the innovation that users could access it from anywhere in the world. Before being part of Microsoft, was anchored to Apache and Solaris, with a free storage space of just 2 MB, It had to be managed properly to avoid filling up and preventing messages from being sent.

MSN Hotmail

MSN Hotmail interface

Is in 1997, when Microsoft make the purchase of Hotmail, adds it to services MSN giving origin to the name MSN Hotmail. Two years later, they report that they have reached 30 million affiliates, being the largest service at the moment. From there the migration to Windows 2000.

Years later integration with social networks begins, including the famous MSN Messenger that was one of the first instant messaging tools, with emoticons to make communication fun and the integration of the remembered buzz.

Windows Live

Windows Live Hotmail interface

This name comes thinking of a renovation process, which comes with higher speed, increased storage space and an interface that improved the user experience. An online news space was also included, with information on sports, entertainment and the day-to-day highlights in a specialized profile.

Outlook

Outlook inbox

Once Windows Live disappears, the name that reaches the mail space is Outlook. Regardless of the name with which the account was created in previous years, users can enter the platform with their data. Now, new names come by default with the ending of “@ outlook.com”. Outlook, as a name, starts to be used from the 2012 and with its arrival include many other products that are integrated into the brand under the shadow of Microsoft.

How is Outlook better than other versions of Microsoft Mail?

Outlook is better adapted to new technologies

So as not to lose your share of the cake at the market, Microsoft has had to improve the features of Outlook more and more., thus satisfying the demands of users. Most of the updates are focused on decrease the time it takes to do certain tasks, allowing everything to be easier and simpler.

Some of the things that Outlook outperforms previous versions are these:

  • Outlook has the function of working with web browsers and with a desktop application for computers.
  • The calendar tool allows you to keep track of important events and dates during the year. Apart from that, there is the function of programming an agenda that can be viewed from anywhere.
  • In the contact book you can save a particular profile of each one of them. In case of losing the information you can recover it at any time.
  • Organizing emails using folders gives the possibility to have a clean appearance of the inbox.
  • It can link to Microsoft Exchange Server In a simple way.
  • It has a form tool, This allows you to directly send responses to the requests received.
  • The interface is very simple and easy to use.