How do I turn off this new "conversations view" in Hotmail?

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The latest Hotmail update introduces "conversations view" which groups messages together based on conversation? Don't like it? We'll turn it off.

The new Hotmail is grouping my messages funny and I hate it. I wish they'd just leave it alone. How can I get the old way back?

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Well, if you continue to use Hotmail get used to change. In fact, if you continue to use any on-line service, particularly the free ones, just accept that it will change from time to time.

They have to change to stay competitive.

The only way to avoid change is to avoid the service, or use a desktop email program that you then never update or change.

The good news is that in this particular case you can turn off the new "conversations view" of messages that's causing the grouping you dislike so intensely.

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Click on the Options link in the upper right of the Hotmail window:

Windows Live Hotmail Options Link

Click on More options... at the bottom of the resulting menu:

Windows Live Hotmail More Options Link

Click on the Conversation settings link on the Options page:

Windows Live Hotmail Conversations Option

And choose the setting you want:

Windows Live Hotmail Conversations Option Setting

That's all there is to it. Now messages should be listed the way you want.

Article C4480 - October 5, 2010 « »

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Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed. After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.

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How To Disable Gmail's Conversation View Via groovyPost - same option, for Gmail

Recent Comments

3 Comments

Louise Thomas
November 25, 2010 4:48 AM

Thanks for that. The conversation feature has been driving me nuts too. Not because it's 'change' but because there's a bug in it. It periodically groups conversations incorrectly. I end up having to search through totally unrelated email exchanges to find buried emails from other people.

Delores Cranfill
January 20, 2011 10:45 AM

I have been pleased with using Hotmail live but recntly been having trouble with forwarding mail to other addresses where Can i go to get help wih that? Also I don't care for conversation view and will need to know how to turn it off. Thanks

It really depends on what you mean by "having trouble with" - that's not enough to go on. I'll point you at the Windows Live Help site as a place to start.

21-Jan-2011

Adam
January 28, 2011 9:47 AM

Thank you! I for one HATE the "conversation mode" of Hotmail, and was close to terminating my account, when I found this Web page. Thanks again.

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