Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) added a new feature to its Hotmail web email this week, which the software giant says lets users tap into their existing email addresses--even from domains belonging to competitors such as Gmail and Yahoo. In a blog post, Dick Craddock, group program manager at Windows Live Hotmail, wrote that users have submitted feedback asking for a way for them to access features such as the ability to send up to 10GB of photos in one message and other unique Hotmail features.

Reasons for wanting such a feature varies, though one possibility is due to users having registered for services using other email addresses as their username. Obviously, Microsoft is more than happy for users of other services to access their emails via its Hotmail service. To access this feature, users will first need to login with a Windows Live ID. Once inside, Hotmail will guide them through the relevant steps which includes importing email from an existing service. Emails will subsequently be sent and received from Hotmail using the old address; new emails will be retrieved automatically via POP.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at Inside Windows Live Blog
- check out this article at CNET News
- check out this article at PC Magazine

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