Microsoft Office

After 2 betas I’m glad to announce the release of the Microsoft Outlook Connector 12.1 – the add-in that puts your Windows Live Hotmail data in Outlook. Outlook Connector 12.1 provides a great synchronization experience with e-mail, contacts, and the free Windows Live Calendar service. Download it now!

As part of the 12.1 release, we have also made improvements to the e-mail and contacts synchronization that make this version of the connector faster and more robust. Thank you to everyone who contacted us and gave us feedback and suggestions during the beta period of the release.

What is Windows Live Calendar and how does it interface with Outlook?

For those who are new to the Windows Live Calendar, it features a fast and functional Ajax user interface that provides a rich experience on the web (visit http://calendar.live.com and check it out for yourself). It also supports some great new features that make the experience in Outlook even better. For example, you can have multiple calendars on Windows Live Calendar and each of them will synchronize to Outlook with the Outlook Connector 12.1. Windows Live Calendar supports calendar sharing as well. Shared calendars to which you have access will also synchronize with Outlook.

If you are a user of the Outlook Connector 12.0 it is worth noting that the Outlook Connector 12.0 and the Outlook Connector 12.1 synchronize calendar data against two separate calendaring services.

Outlook Connector 12.0 synchronizes with the MSN Calendaring service (a MSN Premium service only).

Outlook Connector 12.1 synchronizes with the free Windows Live Calendar service.

After installing Outlook Connector 12.1, it will upload your appointments and meetings to your new Windows Live Calendar. At that point the Outlook Connector will no longer synchronize with the MSN Calendar service.

In order to make sure that all of your calendar items on the MSN Calendar service are correctly migrated to the Windows Live Calendar, you should follow these steps:

With Outlook Connector 12.0 installed, synchronize your calendar with the MSN Calendar service one last time.

After synchronization is complete, do not create new items on the MSN Calendar site. If you do, you will have to synchronize again using Outlook Connector 12.0 before migrating to 12.1.

Install Outlook Connector 12.1.

Boot Outlook. At this point, the Outlook Connector 12.1 will upload all of your appointments and meetings to your new Windows Live Calendar.

You should choose the correct version of the Outlook Connector depending on the Calendar you are using.

If you plan to continue using the MSN Calendar service you need to keep using the Outlook Connector 12.0.
If plan to use the Windows Live Calendar service you need to install the Outlook Connector 12.1.
How do I get the Outlook Connector 12.1?

There are two easy ways you can install the Outlook Connector 12.1.

If you are currently using the Outlook Connector 12.1 Beta you will be notified that you need to upgrade to the latest version of Outlook Connector the next time you boot Outlook.

You can download and install the Outlook Connector 12.1 here.

Outlook Connector 12.1 brings a new level of reliability and stability when viewing and using your Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Calendar in Microsoft Outlook. Download it and start using it today!