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Microsoft Corp. today announced a global storage upgrade for MSN Hotmail's 260 million plus active email accounts expanding the storage capacity to 1 gigabyte and extending the expiration period for inactive accounts from 30 days to 60 days for those accounts that are more than two years old.

Users of the Hotmail email service will enjoy having more storage to keep the files, photos, and emails that matter the most. The storage upgrade and extension of the expiration period for email accounts is part of Microsoft's ongoing commitment to meet the evolving needs of Hotmail users as they transition to Microsoft's next generation email service, Windows Live Mail.

Speaking on the upgrade, Krishna Prasad, head of Programming, MSN India & Windows Live said, “MSN continues to invest in the needs of its users, this upgrade is part of our commitment to deliver a rich email experience to our users. We believe that the added storage space and extended expiration period will be welcomed by our loyal Hotmail users.”

The storage upgrade, which began rolling out in Asia on November 7, will affect Hotmail users in ten markets in the region including Australia, China, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore.

“As we continue to ramp up our Windows Live services across Asia, we also remain focused on enhancing the capabilities of the MSN Hotmail service for our loyal users,” said Alex Stewart, Asia Pacific Regional Director, Online Services Group, Microsoft. “Hotmail is one of the world's favourite email services and now we are able to offer our customers an even better service with more storage than ever before”.

Since its launch in 1996, MSN Hotmail active accounts have grown to more than 260 million worldwide, providing a quick, reliable and easy-to-use email experience that offers rich functionality, advanced spam protection features and integration with other MSN communications and Windows Live services such as Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Spaces.

Windows Live Mail, the next generation of web mail from Microsoft, is currently in Beta. It has been built from the ground up to be faster, safer and simpler. Windows Live Mail will feature 2 gigabytes of storage space, 120 days expiration period, anti-phising features, address autocomplete, and drag-and-drop functionality making it easier to read, send, and organize email messages.