Microsoft Office Outlook Connector (Think Outlook to Hotmail Connector)

Microsoft Downloads - Microsoft Office Outlook Connector

"With Outlook Connector, you can use Outlook 2002, Outlook 2003, or Outlook 2007 to access and manage your Windows Live Mail or Office Live Mail accounts, including e-mail messages, calendar, tasks, notes, and contacts.

Microsoft Office Outlook Connector enables you to use your Live Mail accounts with Outlook:

• Read and send your Office Live Mail/Windows Live Mail/MSN e-mail through the Outlook interface
• Manage and share your Calendar schedule.
• Manage your Live Mail Contacts.
• Access your Tasks and Notes.
• Use advanced options for blocking junk e-mail.
• Manage multiple e-mail accounts in one place.

" [Description leached in full]

I've been using this since it came out last last year and I'm here to say I am very happy with it.

Hooking Outlook to Hotmail via this Connector makes Outlook kind of think your Hotmail account is an Exchange mail server. At least as far the user can see.

Your calendar is connected between Outlook and Hotmail, yours contacts, etc. Like I was saying, it's like using Outlook with a backend email server. (i.e. like using Outlook at work, etc).

THIS is the way to go if you want to hook your Outlook to your Hotmail.

Update #1 5/17/2007 @ 3:55 PM PDT:

An important thing to note (that I missed the first time);

"...

The following is also required:

• A paid subscription-based e-mail account from MSN Hotmail, Windows Live Mail, Office Live, or Windows Live Custom Domains

..."

So you'll need a Windows Live Hotmail Plus (fka Hotmail Plus, etc) or like paid subscription for this Connector to work.

I've had Hotmail Plus for years and didn't think about/consider/remember that when I posted this. My bad and my apologies.

(via The Road to Know Where - Microsoft Launches Windows Live Hotmail)