Import Contacts from One Hotmail Account to Another
In this set of instructions, I will guide you through the process of retrieving Hotmail contacts from an existing account to a new or secondary account. For example, people tend to create new email or MSN accounts once in a while for various purposes but creating new accounts and wanting to keep the same links with which one stays in touch with can be a problem for some of us. To easily maintain your original friends and family in your new account, simply follow these Step-by-Step instructions.
Steps
- Log in to Windows Live Messenger using your original account from which you would like to Import contacts. Make sure the account you have chosen contains all the specific contacts that you would like to Import to your new account. If there are contacts that are not preferred, simply remove or delete them from your list prior to the process. Therefore, please take the time to review your contacts before advancing.
- Click the Menu Icon to view other options. This shortcut to the menu is located at the top-right, right under the inbox button of the windows messenger program. To confirm your selection, the icon should say "Show Menu" when ever your cursor hovers over it and should contain a downward arrow for drop-down list of options. NOTE: this button can be accessed from two locations depending on your setup.
- Select "Contacts". Then, "Save instant messaging contacts".
- This should then pop up a window that will ask you what folder you would like to save your contacts in. Then, you must choose a safe folder to save your contacts. This folder MUST be safe so that later on in the process, you are fully capable of accessing this file without it disappearing. NOTE: this action will save ALL the contacts that are currently in your list.
- Check to make sure file was saved. After the folder has been selected to "Save File" in, make sure the file did get saved in that specific directory. This step is required because if the file cannot be found later on, then you will have to go and save your contacts again. Therefore, please do check just in-case you made a mistake and accidentally saved the file containing your contacts in a dangerous non-accessible place.
- Sign out of the original account. When you have saved your contacts list in a trusted folder, you are then ready to move on. To continue, you must now sign out of the currently opened account and log in to your second or new account. This is done because the only reason your original account was required was because of the contacts that it contained. That is why; this is an essential step in the process of eventually importing the contacts to your newer account.
- Click on the same menu button of the windows live messenger software but this time select Contacts then, "Import instant messaging contacts...". This option should be located right under the save instant messaging contacts option that was previously used. This action will likely open up a new window.
- You must select the previously saved Hotmail contacts file in order to get those contacts so that it can import them to your new account. The file that you select must be the same one that was saved earlier in Step#3 using the "save instant messaging contacts..." option under the menu button.
- That last selection will lead you to a confirmation window which will show up displaying the summary of your decision to import. This includes all the selected contacts email addresses as well as a confirmation message that reads; "Are you sure you want to add these people to your contact list?" Simply click the "Yes" option to confirm you decision. NOTE: once confirmed, an invite will be sent to each individual person therefore, this is likely the last chance you have at refusing to import.
- If you clicked "Yes" to proceed, then another window will come up informing you that the add requests were sent and that contacts may take a moment to appear in your list. So, simply hit "OK" to close the message and move on to the final step.
- You have now imported your contacts from the original account to the new one! To check if the contacts have accepted you and that this process worked, simply check your account to see if the actual name of the person that you sent an invite to is displayed in your contacts list rather than their default email ID which is only displayed until that user accepts your invitation.
Tips
- Make sure to check that your contacts list file did get saved in a safe folder before advancing
- Use a windows-based operating system for a smooth transition.
Warnings
- Once finished with the instructions, the following contacts you have imported will be sent an invitation to accept you as a friend or family!
- If you do not want a specific contact to be saved or imported, then please take the time to remove them from your list prior to the process due to the save action saving ALL the contacts that you currently have in your contacts list.
Things You'll Need
- Internet Connection
- Hotmail/Live Account
- Windows Live Messenger Software
