Microsoft updates Outlook Social Connector tool

Microsoft has updated the Outlook Social Connector so that people can view updates on their social-networking accounts and Windows Live Messenger while using the email client.

People using Outlook 2010, will have the new version distributed through Microsoft Update, so they don't have to do anything to upgrade. Those using older versions will need to download the application from the Microsoft Download Center.

By default in Outlook 2010 the application is minimised and appears as a single line at the bottom of the Reading Pane. To use the Outlook Social Connector, people need to click the expand arrow, or drag the top of the minimised pane until it is the size that they want.

This opens the People Pane, a new area in Outlook where it is possible to view and access information that the Outlook Social Connector displays from social networks. To add a site such as Facebook, or Linkedin and Windows Live Messenger to Outlook Social Connector people need to use the partner page.