Upload images for Hotmail through SkyDrive

Because email was initially designed for text only, the solution for embedding images or attaching files and pictures to messages are not ideal, and (with excess) can cause big problems on mail servers and/or mail relays. This is one reason for which Hotmail now allows you to upload files to their online storage service called "SkyDrive", free to use for anyone with a Windows Live Hotmail Hotmail account. In this tutorial, we will explain how to upload pictures to add them to your email signature (add a signature to Hotmail messages).

Tip: while we focus on uploading images to use in your signature, the process is exactly the same if you want to use pictures as email attachments, or upload another kind of file to share with email recipients - this is because you can attach files from your computer, but your signature cannot use a graphic file stored on your computer. SkyDrive's only concern is putting your files online.

Send your own pictures to the cloud!

Once you've signed into your Hotmail account, move your mouse above the "Windows Live" logo in the top left corner of the page, and select "SkyDrive" from the dropdown menu, as shown on the screenshot.

Your SkyDrive allocated space will then load, showing all the files and pictures you have already uploaded (if any). To upload a new image, click on the "Add files" link, and you will land on the "Select a folder" screen: either pick an existing one, or create a new folder.

Select the file(s) to upload

Once you are on the "Add documents to [folder name]" page, click on the blue text in "Drop documents here or select documents from your computer". If your Hotmail window is not maximized (you can see other windows behind it), you can directly select the file or multiple files you want to upload, drag them from Windows Explorer, and drop them onto the designated area (delimited with dashed border).

The easiest approach though, especially if you only need to upload a single picture, is to click on the link, navigate through your computer's folders, and pick the image you want to send online.

As soon as the upload has successfully completed, you will see a thumbnail of the image in question (with its size displayed below it).

Tip: click on the "x" delete button to remove the uploaded file from your SkyDrive account (if you picked the wrong file, for example). Upload more files by dragging again, or clicking on the "select documents from your computer" link at the bottom.

Then, click on "Continue"; the image is now on your SkyDrive!

Customize the visibility of your files

Depending on your Hotmail privacy settings, pictures you upload may be private by default (visible only to you, when logged in to Windows Live). If the picture doesn't say "Share with: Everyone (public)", some people will no be able to view it. If so, click on the blue link next to "Shared with", and click on "Edit Permissions" on the next screen. Then, control who can view your files by moving up or down the "Who can access this" slider - and click the "Save" button.