How do I import contacts from my computer to Windows Live Hotmail?

How can I import contacts that I have on my computer to the Windows Live Hotmail email account. The information is in Windows Contacts and I want to get this contacts list to the online email account. I suppose this would not be a difficult job but I am confused and not very proficient with computers.
Zubair Shah

It is indeed quite easy to import contacts information that you have on your computer to a Windows Live Hotmail email account. All it takes is to export the Windows Contacts data to a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file and upload it to the online email service.

Import Windows Contacts to Windows Live Hotmail email

Thus, the first step is to get the Windows Contacts information exported to a CSV file and then importing the same to your Windows Live Hotmail email account. The detailed steps are given below along with the screenshots which have been worked out in Windows 7 and Windows Live Mail email client.

1. Open Windows Contacts utility. You may do this from the Windows Live Mail email client – click “Go” from the top menu and select “Contacts” or use the Ctrl+Shift+C key combination – [Slides 1, 2 and 3].
   You’ll need to unhide the Windows Live Mail toolbar to have the “Go” visible in the menu.
   Windows Mail (Vista) users need to choose “Tools” -> “Windows Contacts“.
2. Windows Contacts will be shown in a new window. Select “File” -> “Export Comma Separated Values (.CSV) ” – [Slide 4].
3. In the pop-up, hit the “Browse” button and navigate to a folder in which you would like to store the exported Windows Contacts data. I suggest you select the “Desktop” as it is easily accessible. Give a name for the CSV file and click the “Next” button – [Slides 5, 6 and 7].
4. You are now prompted to select the fields that will be exported. Make sure a check mark is placed in front of all, unless you want to leave out some data. Click “Finish” when done – [Slide 8].
5. The system now informs that the Windows Contacts are being exported to the specified file – [Slide 9]. Wait for the process to finish.
6. Start the web browser program and login at your Hotmail email account.
7. Click “Contact List” from the left panel – it would be under Related Places – [Slide 10].
8. Now click “Manage” and choose “Import” from the drop down menu – [Slides 11 and 12].
9. Select the “Windows Contacts” option and hit the “Choose File” button – [Slide 13].
10. Navigate to the folder which has the exported Windows Contacts CSV file (probably the Desktop, if you followed my suggestion). Choose the file and click the “Open” button – [Slide 14].
11. The name of the file you are about to import will now be shown. Click the “Import contacts” button [Slide 15] and wait for the file to be uploaded. The contacts data will be extracted and added to the Windows Live Hotmail email contact list [Slides 16 and 17].
12. Click “All contacts” to view the imported information – [Slide 18].

With these simple steps you would quickly be able to import data from the Windows Contacts on your Vista or Windows 7 computer to an online Hotmail email account.