New-look Hotmail sparks complaints

Microsoft's changes to Hotmail, its popular webmail service, haven't gone down well in all quarters.

Last month, Microsoft introduced a new layout to Hotmail, though it allowed you to use the older layout if you wished.

However, since last week, anyone with a Hotmail account has been forced to use the new layout.

"I really HATE the new hotmail and that is the first time I have ever used all caps," reads a comment from one Hotmail user on the Windows Live blog.

"I don't like it a million times. I am not computer-savvy and the little I know about email I was able to do with Hotmail even though others were telling me a million times to switch to Gmail. I think I will do that now," another comment read.

As well as gripes about the layout, several surfers complained of technical issues too.

"I am no longer receiving emails from people I need to receive emails from, all I am getting is junk mail. Also, I am unable to get to any of my folders, including my Inbox," a visitor to the Tech Support Guy Forums said.

Visitors to the Web User forums also complained of problems with the new Hotmail.

"Since its change over the last few weeks, every time I click 'send' to send my message a box pops up saying 'do you want to navigate away from this page, your mail has not been sent and will be discarded'," said one Web User forum member.

Some Hotmail users also reported difficulty logging into their accounts on Friday last week.

"We are experiencing higher than normal volume and are therefore unable to service your request at this time," was one of the error messages encountered.

However, a Microsoft spokesman told Web User that there were no widespread network problems.

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