Was Outlook supposed to replace the usual Hotmail page? In my case it did not.

Outllook.com is the replacement for Hotmail. By now all Hotmail accounts have been converted.

One customer, of mine, was totally confused by that whole thing. Since I don't use Hotmail, I was confused too.
So my solution was to just set them up with a new GMail account. Problem solved.

Then I set up Windows Mail to download their GMail to their computer. That works GREAT!

With just a click of their mouse, their email is sitting on their screen. Whenever possible, I import their Address Book (Contacts List) from their old PC, into the new Contacts list in Windows Mail.

We've discussed how to re-activate Windows Mail in both Windows 7 and 8.

Good Luck,
TM

I am glad you have found a solution that suits you.
I tried importing my address book from my Gmail account to Outlook.com and it was a mess.
I keep Windows Live Mail as my email client so I can "send to" with MSIE 10. I have My isp account for family, Outlook.com for business and Gmail, as some Google sites require it.
I centralized my accounts in WLM but it was problem too.
I do not bother with Win mail per se.
I am ok with my set up and glad you are too.

TM's solution is a good one, GMail accounts can import many other email accounts & offers TONS of storage, for free.

Another hidden option of GMail that few knows about, is their free phone service, good for making local & long distance phone calls across the US & Canada. All that's needed is this plug in, & be logged into your GMail account. Get the plug in here.

Call phones from Gmail

Cat

All is good to know. Thank you for your help.

A slight problem might happen, when Google discontinues the 'Google Phone' app, later this year.

But for $29.95 per year, I can call anyone in the US, with my "Magic Jack". And, I can use that, with my old standard home phones (one in each room). I'm not stuck at my computer, as with Google Phone.

If anyone created an Address Book in Windows with Outlook Express, in XP, or in Windows Mail in Vista, it can be easily exported to any removable media, like a flash drive, and then imported into Windows 7 or 8, into either Windows Mail (re-activated) or Windows Live Mail.

Many people have posted that they have problems with Windows Live Mail. I've had troubles with it myself, on customer's PC's and setting up Windows Mail has solved all those Problems. It's just very user friendly.

Anyway, y'all use what suits you best.

Cheers Mates!
TechnoMage