Download Office Outlook Connector 12.1

Microsoft is applauding a new level of stability and reliability when it comes down to integrating Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Calendar in Microsoft Outlook via the Office Outlook Connector. In this regard, at the start of this week the Redmond company made available for download Office Outlook Connector 12.1 RTW. Released to web on December 15, 2008, the Connector permits users to access and manage emails, contacts, and calendars in Windows Live Hotmail and Calendar, or Microsoft Office Live Mail accounts for free, through Office 2003 or Office 2007.

“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,” Alessio Roic, Outlook program manager, revealed.

“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.”

In the evolution from Outlook Connector 12.0 to Outlook Connector 12.1, Microsoft has changed the calendaring synchronization services. While version 12.0 relied on MSN Calendaring service (a service exclusive to MSN Premium), the 12.1 release has migrated to the free Windows Live Calendar service. According to Microsoft, upgrading to version 12.1 will also upload all the items on any existing calendars to the new Windows Live Calendar.

“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. 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,” Roic added.

Office Outlook Connector 12.1 is available for download here.