Microsoft launched on Monday its latest full fledged web email client in 36 languages. Called, “Windows Live Hotmail”, the descendant of MSN Hotmail is considered to be the most significant upgrade since 1996. Unlike its ancestor, the new web email client service promises major improvements that were based on feedback and suggestions from 20 million beta participants.

In the coming weeks, Microsoft said that that it will also introduce an additional e-mail client option for Windows Live Hotmail with the release of Windows Live Mail beta, a free consumer e-mail client available via download that will be a successor to Outlook Express and Windows Mail on Windows Vista.

With its initial launch of Windows Live Hotmail on May 7, existing MSN Hotmail users can also update their existing account to Windows Live Hotmail by logging into their account and clicking on the green Join Windows Live Hotmail button.

“Windows Live Hotmail will deliver a safer, more powerful and productive e-mail experience than previous versions with flexible access via the Web, on a mobile phone or with an e-mail client” Microsoft said.

Microsoft also coupled its announcement of this launch, saying that the Outlook Connector service will be available and rolled out of its beta phase later this month in 11 languages worldwide.

The new Microsoft Office Outlook Connector will enable users to view and manage their Windows Live Hotmail account from Outlook for free, with full contact, e-mail and e-mail folder synchronization. However, it will only be compatible with Microsoft’s Office Outlook 2003 and Office Outlook 2007.

Microsoft’s new service also included another addition called, “Windows Live Hotmail for mobile”, which enables users to access their e-mail when they are on the go on a Web-enabled mobile phone or PDA.

At some point, Microsoft said that Windows Mobile customers will receive a richer online and offline Windows Live Hotmail experience with Windows Live for Windows Mobile, which will ship with Windows Mobile v6.

Like Microsoft’s flagship email client, Outlook, The new Hotmail web client offers new security and penalization features, including right-click and drag-and-drop capabilities, preview pane customization and auto-complete addressing, built-in Windows Live Messenger presence, which lets users to see from their inbox if their Messenger contacts are online

With Microsoft’s 2 GB inbox storage, the newly added security features include Safety bar, so that when an e-mail message arrives– the safety bar at the top of each e-mail message will give a visual cue of the status of the e-mail: white indicates the e-mail is from a known sender, yellow indicates the e-mail is from an unknown sender and red indicates the e-mail is potentially fraudulent.

In addition, Microsoft also improved its spam protection, with one click on the “mark as unsafe” link; users can automatically delete junk e-mail messages, block any future e-mail messages from that junk e-mail sender, and report the junk e-mail sender to Microsoft’s spam filters to help protect others.

When it comes to personalization features, it includes two views, which allows users to choose how they view their Windows Live Hotmail. The classic version looks similar to MSN Hotmail for those who prefer the familiar look, while full version works more like Outlook with more advanced functionality.

Amongst its other included personalization features, a new color choice option, it allows users to change their Windows Live Hotmail color themes.