How to Use MSN or Hotmail

Do you have a Hotmail (Windows Live) or MSN email address or want to know how to get one? Take a walk through these simple steps to finally take control of a hotmail or MSN account.

Hotmail and MSN are provided for free by Microsoft. An exception to this, is if you had MSN Internet previously, then you are given lifetime access to your original MSN email address. Hotmail is a web-based email program and has more limited storage and functions.

Read on to learn how to utilize both these email programs for business or personal use.

Things You'll Need

• A functioning computer with an Internet connection.
• A Hotmail or MSN email account already set up with your username and password.

Instructions

Using MSN Windows Hotmail Basic Email Functions

1. Go to hotmail or MSN and enter your username and password in the box on the side.

2. Click on Inbox on the left hand side of your screen in hotmail or MSN. If it has a number in bold after it, for example, that is the number of unread emails you have in your box.

3. Click either on the sender or message column to open up the email once inside MSN or hotmail.

4. Once you are in your MSN or hotmail actual email, click reply on the top of the screen and type a message.

5. If you are finished with the email message and do not want to save it, you can click on the delete, by the red "X" towards the top of the Hotmail or MSN screen.

6. Create a folder to save messages in by clicking on folders, new on the left hand side of your hotmail or MSN screen. This will help you find emails later and provide better organization. There is no limit on folders.

7. To place an email message in a new folder to save for later reference, check the box next to the email in MSN or hotmail. Then, click move to (box is on top of screen) and select a folder. The email is easily retrieved by clicking on that folder to the left of your screen once stored inside.

8. Forward (FW:) MSN or hotmail email when you are inside of it by clicking "forward," and then clicking "send." You may see a confirmation message at the top of your screen stating your email has been sent.

9. Check a box next to an unwanted message and click the junk or spam button on the top of the hotmail or MSN screen. The email is sent to the trash to be deleted later. MSN and hotmail will record this information on a "block senders list" to cut down on the number of unwanted emails.

10. To compose a new message from scratch in hotmail or MSN, click new and the appropriate buttons should appear.

11. Enter an email address once inside hotmailor MSN. Subject is optional, then type message. This email software functions like a mini-word processor.

12. Click the "send" button in the upper left hand corner of MSN when you are ready to send the email.

13. If you want to add contacts (email addresses) used frequently, click contacts on the left hand side of your hotmail email, click new and fill in spaces. An email address and name are the only requirements. Click "save" in the upper left hand corner after each contact you add and repeat as necessary in hotmail or msn.

14. If you would like to empty the trash (where the emails you delete end up), simply select "deleted" (looks like a recycle bin) on the left of your screen, click the box on the top to select, and click delete on the top of the screen again in MSN or hotmail.

Tips & Warnings

• For quick and easy access, you may want to save www.hotmail.com as a favorite on your desktop or in the favorites inside your browser. This will save from having to re-type the address on every visit.

• It is good to have a hotmail or MSN address because you can keep it regardless of the Internet Service Provider you have.

• You can use this as a "junk" email address if you do not want to give out your private address online.

• Practice makes perfect! Practice sending emails to yourself until you gain comfort with the functions.

• Do not save your username and password in the computer. Type it in each time to prevent outside parties from accessing your account. Be warned, they can do this remotely.

• Click "sign out" on the top at the end of each session.

• Realize that fonts and formatting may not transfer through to the recipient

• Always be absolutely sure before you send any email as there is no way to rescind once you click the send button.

• Add contacts to your address book as you need them. This is helpful if you are away from home and need to look something up. You can add more information for the added convenience of having all your information in one place.

Resources

• Hotmail (Live) mail website