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Outlook.com now saves Messaging conversation history in the cloud

Aug 1, 2012 3:23 am by damaster | 16 comments

You may have remembered back in November last year that we received tips from several readers about Microsoft silently testing the ability to save Windows Live Messenger chat conversation history in Hotmail. However, the feature never eventuated in Hotmail. Almost 9 months later, this feature finally makes its way to the new Outlook.com release. To enable it, simply click on the Settings “cog”, then More mail settings > Messaging history:

Once you’ve enabled it, any IM conversation that you have using Windows Live Messenger, Windows 8’s Messaging app, Windows Phone’s Messaging hub, or the new web-based Messaging sidebar, the conversation history will be saved automatically in Outlook.com under the folder “Messaging history”, as shown below:

Based on our testing, this works for IMs on both Messenger and Facebook Chat networks, and potentially soon the Skype network too. However, do keep in mind that the conversation history will only get saved when chat session becomes idled or closed, so give it some time before it shows up in there!

The ability to save chat conversation history in the cloud is perhaps one of the most requested feature of Windows Live Messenger back in the early days, and we’re glad to see it finally sees the light of day. What do you think about this new feature? Have you been waiting for this feature to come? Let us know in the comments below!

This entry was posted in News and tagged Messaging, Messenger, Outlook.com. Bookmark the permalink.

FremyCompany
Nice. I have hope for SMS messages from Windows Phone 8 to get a decent backup there :-)
http://doctorwhofan98.wordpress.com/ doctorwhofan98
I really like this feature! I wish it was enabled by default, or at least easier to discover. Outlook.com is the best email service ever – I thought Hotmail was great, but this just rocks.
Kit Y
This is over due.
TT
How can I rename my current @live.com with an already registered account @outlook.com.
I rushed and registered @outlook.com and now it shows as taken when I try to rename my @live.com account to this account I registered yesterday with @outlook.com. THere should be an option to sign in if I’m the ownser of that registered email but it shows only taken…
Please Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- bradavon
  You’ll need to think of a new @Outlook.com address and this time rename your existing @Live.com address.
  - TT
    ohh shoot .. I had regitered a good short name I guess that will do it but still .. do you know if my Messenger contacts will get invites to my new email or automatically get changed ?
    - http://doctorwhofan98.wordpress.com/ doctorwhofan98
      If you’re renaming a Microsoft account to an @outlook.com one, your Messenger friends from before the rename will automatically be transferred, along with everything else (mail rules, SkyDrive, contacts etc.). It may take a little while, though, and they may have to sign in and out again. But you won’t have to send them another friend request.
      - TT
        thanks man! that answers my questions
MsRose
They need to Metro that old Windows Live Messenger icon in the bottom right there.
- http://techmansworld.blogspot.com/ncr MHazell
  I actually like it — not all of icons that are re made in metro look better than the old ones, but I’m sure that icon will be changed eventually.
Nuntawat
I enabled the option and I tried to chat with someone and close the session by clicking on ‘X’ on top right of the screen, but I didn’t see “Messaging history” folder. Clicking on ‘X’ button means closing the session ? If yes, I will try again.
- Damaster – LiveSide.net
  No. It seems like closing the ‘X’ button on Messaging sidebar doesn’t actually terminate the chat session. You’ll need to give it 10 minutes or so.
  - http://techmansworld.blogspot.com/ncr MHazell
    I noticed that too. They should really provide an option to permanently terminate the conversation. I think the only way to do that right now is to close the browser tab/window.
http://www.facebook.com/emiliano.magliocca Emiliano Magliocca
hope that will work with offline facebook messages (on wp8 too)
http://josedmorales.net/ Joe Morales
It makes me wonder if this’ll work with Windows Live Messenger; in other words, having a chat from the desktop app should save this chat log to the cloud as well? What about Windows 8 Messaging app?!
- Damaster – LiveSide.net
  It should work with all of these that uses the Messenger network.