How to Import Contacts from Hotmail to Outlook 2010

If you have previously been using Microsoft’s Web-based Hotmail program to manage your email, you may have discovered that the Hotmail interface is lacking in some certain areas.

If you have ever seen Microsoft Outlook 2010 in action, then you know that it has a considerably larger amount of features when compared to the Web-based Hotmail, especially if you need to use your email account for a business.

But you have probably developed a number of contacts that are now stored in your Hotmail account, and the prospect of having to manually enter those contacts when you switch over to the email address that you have loaded into Outlook 2010 might seem like something you do not want to do.

Fortunately, Hotmail features a utility that allows you to export the Hotmail contacts into a format that is compatible with Microsoft Outlook 2010.

You can then interact with those imported contacts in the same way as traditional Outlook contacts, such as adding them to a distribution list.

Procedure for Importing Contacts Into Outlook from Hotmail

When you want to import contacts from Hotmail to Outlook 2010, what you are actually doing is exporting the contacts from your Hotmail account to a file that is compatible with Outlook 2010, then importing the exported file into your Outlook account.

Step 1: To begin, open a new Web browser window and go to www.hotmail.com. Enter your email address and password into their respective fields, then click the Sign In button. Click the Contacts link at the center of the window.

access your hotmail contacts

Step 2: Click the Manage drop-down menu at the center of the window, then click the Export option.

export contacts from hotmail to outlook 2010

Step 3: This will automatically generate a CSV file of your Hotmail contacts, which will prompt you to save or open the file on your computer. Choose the option to save the file to your computer.

save your exported hotmail contacts to your computer

Step 4: Now that you have the necessary contact file from Hotmail, you can begin the process of importing the contacts from Hotmail to Outlook 2010. Launch Microsoft Outlook 2010 to get started.

Step 5: Click the orange File tab at the top-left corner of the window, click Open at the left side of the window, then click the Import button to launch Microsoft Outlook 2010’s Import Export Wizard.

open the import tool in outlook 2010

Step 6: The Import Export Wizard will open as a new window within Microsoft Outlook, and you need to click the Import from another program or file option at the center of the window. Click the Next button to proceed with the import process.

Step 7: Click the Comma Separated Value (Windows) option, as that is the type of file that Hotmail generated when it exported your contacts, then click the Next button.

Step 8: Click the Browse button at the top of the next window, then locate the file that you exported from Hotmail previously. Click the file once to select it, then click the OK button.

browse to the location of the exported hotmail contacts file

Step 9: You will notice that this window also contains an option for choosing how Outlook 2010 should handle any duplicate contacts that it might encounter between your existing contacts and the ones you are importing from Hotmail. Select the option that applies to your situation, then click the Next button.

Step 10: Click the Contacts folder in the Select destination folder section of the next window, then click the Next button. Click the Finish button on this final screen to complete the process of importing your contacts from Hotmail to Outlook 2010.

finalize the process of importing your hotmail contacts to outlook

Frequently Asked Questions About Importing Contacts in Outlook

How do I add contacts to Outlook?

To import contacts into Outlook, launch the program and navigate to the “File” tab. Click “Open & Export” and then “Import/Export.” To import your contacts, use the Import and Export Wizard and follow the directions.

What file formats are available for importing contacts into Outlook?

For contact imports, Outlook supports several file formats, including CSV (Comma Separated Values), PST (Outlook Data File), and vCard (Electronic Business Card).

Is it possible to import contacts from other email providers into Outlook?

Yes, you can import contacts from other email services into Outlook, such as Gmail, Yahoo, or Apple Mail. To begin, export your contacts from the other service to a compatible file type, such as CSV, and then import them into Outlook.

How do I export contacts from another email provider so that they can be imported into Outlook?

The procedure for exporting contacts from various email services varies, but it usually entails going to the service’s settings or contacts management area and selecting an export option, which is usually in CSV format.

Can I import contacts from an Excel spreadsheet into Outlook?

Yes, you can import contacts into Outlook from an Excel file. Save the spreadsheet as a CSV file and then import the contacts into Outlook using the Import and Export Wizard.

What is the distinction between importing and syncing contacts in Outlook?

Importing contacts is a one-time transfer of external contact data into Outlook, whereas syncing contacts maintains a constant connection between Outlook and another source (e.g., a cloud service) to keep contacts up-to-date in real-time.

How can I import contacts into Outlook from a vCard (.vcf) file?

To import contacts from a vCard file into Outlook, launch the Import and Export Wizard, choose “Import a VCARD file (.vcf),” and then follow the on-screen instructions to identify and import the file.

Is there a limit to how many contacts I can load into Outlook?

The amount of contacts that can be imported into Outlook varies based on your Outlook version and system resources, but it can usually accommodate a high number of contacts.

Can I import contacts into certain Outlook folders or categories?

Yes, Outlook allows you to pick the destination folder or category for the imported contacts during the import process, making it simple to manage your contacts.

What happens if I import duplicate Outlook contacts?

During the import procedure, Outlook will normally urge you to rectify duplicate contacts. You have the option of keeping both, replacing duplicates, or avoiding importing duplicates.

Can I import contacts into Outlook from several devices, such as a smartphone or tablet?

Yes, contacts may be imported into Outlook from a variety of platforms, including Windows PCs, Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. Depending on the platform, the procedure may differ slightly.

Is it feasible to schedule Outlook’s automatic contact imports?

There is no built-in feature in Outlook for scheduling automatic contact imports. For automated imports, you would need to use third-party tools or scripts.

What can I do if I face problems during the Outlook contact import process?

If you’re having trouble importing contacts, make sure your file format is compatible and properly formatted. You can also use Microsoft’s support resources or contact technical support.

Is it possible to undo a contact import in Outlook if I make a mistake?

Outlook does not provide a simple “undo” tool for contact imports. To fix errors, you can manually delete or modify imported contacts.

Are there any security concerns to be aware of when importing contacts into Outlook?

Importing contacts from untrusted sources should be avoided since it may offer security problems. To protect your Outlook environment, always ensure that the source of your contact data is reliable and secure.

Importing contacts into Outlook is a typical task that can assist you in better managing your email and communication. Understanding the import process and various options might make importing contacts into Outlook easier.

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