Feb 22, 2011 15:04 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft initially introduced Facebook chat in Windows Live Hotmail back in September 2010 when it started rolling out a set of new features, including one that was bridging the email client to the world’s top social network. At that time, the Redmond company had promised that more and more customers would be able to IM with their friends on Facebook right from Hotmail.

At the start of this week, the software giant kept its promise, and now Windows Live Hotmail delivers Facebook chat to all users worldwide, according to Dick Craddock, Group Program Manager, Hotmail.

Customers in US, UK, France, Brazil, Germany, and Russia have been able to use Facebook chat with Hotmail, since September 2010, and now this functionality has been expanded across the world.

“Starting [on February 21st], we will be displaying notifications of this update in Hotmail,” Craddock said.

Users of Windows Live Messenger worldwide have already been able to enjoy Facebook chat for a few weeks now, and apparently the feature continues to enjoy immense success.

“Since announcing the availability of Facebook chat in Messenger worldwide two weeks ago, nearly 2.5 million more people connected their Facebook accounts to Windows Live, bringing the total to over 20 million customers.

“And with three out of four Hotmail customers using Facebook, we expect that many more people will want to take advantage of this feature, now that it’s available from your Hotmail inbox,” Craddock added.

At the start of February 2011, Microsoft revealed that users had accumulated in excess of 2.8 million minutes of Facebook chat.

“To try it out, first connect your Facebook account to Windows Live and make sure the “Chat with my Facebook friends in Messenger” box is checked to give your consent to Facebook.

“We’ll link your accounts (this may take a few minutes), and you can start a chat from Hotmail just by clicking on the name of a Facebook contact. If this doesn’t work right away, sign out and back in again, and you should be good to go,” Craddock added.