Sync Windows Live and Outlook with Outlook Connector

If your life is feeling a little scattered and randomized, it's not necessarily a symptom of an impending nervous breakdown. It's possible that you're just looking in too many places for all of your e-mail and contact information.

Alleviate some of your frustration with the just-released update to Microsoft Office Outlook Connector, an Outlook plug-in that synchronizes your Windows Live data with Outlook.

You might recall that Rick mentioned how to sync your calendars with Outlook Connector some time ago. I tried Outlook Connector 12.1, which Microsoft says improves performance and also makes the switch from MSN's subscription-based calendar to the free Windows Live Calendar. After configuring the Connector for my Live ID, it nimbly downloaded and displayed all my Windows Live information in Outlook: E-mail, tasks, contacts, and calendar. It's great for folks who share their Live calendar with co-workers, friends or family; now all that information is in Outlook.

One thing to keep in mind is that all your Live data appears in Outlook as a separate account, distinct from your existing Outlook content. So rather than your Outlook calendar being a melting pot of appointments, they appear side-by-side as separate calendars. The same is true of e-mail, tasks, and contacts; they exist as separate accounts and you can toggle their display at will.

It's also worth noting that this synchronization is strictly one way -- your Windows Live data appears in Outlook, but your Windows Live page doesn't upload Outlook account information.