Microsoft is moving ahead with the evolution of Windows Live Wave 3, and in this regard it has introduced instant messaging functionality to its online email service. As of the start of this week, Windows Live Hotmail users will be able to IM with their friends via Windows Live Messenger, right from their email accounts, and even if the IM client is not installed on the computer. Antonia B. from the Windows Live Team indicated that the feature had been added in response to user feedback, and that in addition to Windows Live Hotmail users would also be able to send instant messages from the People page.

“Customers in Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and USA will see this feature for the first time today (as usual, rollout to different individuals is gradual, so if you don’t see it yet, please be patient). This feature rolled out to users in France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and the UK last month. Not in your area yet? We will be rolling out web-based Messenger to more locations in the coming months,” Antonia B. revealed.

Users need only to sign in to Windows Live Hotmail with their Live ID and be able to use Windows Live Messenger, without having to install the actual IM client. The availability of friends will be displayed via colors including red, yellow and green, accompanying their account names. Users need only to click a contact in order to start chatting.

“If you have more than one Windows Live ID, you can sign in to web Messenger and regular Messenger at the same time, with different IDs,” Antonia B. added. “Don’t worry, people can only see your availability if you’ve agreed to be their Messenger contacts. You can sign in and use Hotmail or any other Windows Live service without signing in to web Messenger, so nobody can start chatting with you until you decide to let them know you’re available.”

Windows Live Messenger 9.0 (2009) is available for download via this link.