User feedback drives new Hotmail design

Microsoft claims to have fixed the recent Hotmail problems

Microsoft appears to have learned from the recent Hotmail fiasco, and is adopting user feedback in its updates.

The software giant has brought back classic scrolling, and made it easier for Hotmail users to open their mail.

"Thanks again to all of you who have passed along your feedback about Hotmail's [autumn] releases," said the Windows Live Hotmail team in a blog posting. "We've used your feedback to add some key updates quickly before the new year."

The Hotmail update in October did not impress users, who complained that they were unable to access their folders and emails and had difficulty forwarding and replying to messages. Others said that the new version did not sit well with their screen size.

Microsoft had promised to fix the problems and make the necessary changes. After a careful review of monitor sizes and resolutions, the company decided to make the site scroll like the classic form of Hotmail.

Microsoft said that it had dealt with problems with contact picker, and that holding down the shift key and clicking a message in the inbox would open a message in the new window.