According to the Sina Technology News on June 18, 2013, Microsoft has announced that Hotmail and Outlook.com will soon stop supporting linked accounts. The switch multiple accounts function was added in 2006, by using this function, users are able to switch quickly between multiple email accounts, however Microsoft will be dropping this function in favor of using aliases.

There are several reasons why Microsoft has decided to drop the function. These reasons include the security concerns and that Microsoft wants you to have only one Microsoft account for all of your connected devices. We must admit the second reason is a bit weird and how it ties to linked accounts is a bit of a stretch, but it's one of the reasons Microsoft lists for dropping the function.

Microsoft has also stated that: "By using aliases, you will only have one email address to maintain and keep secure. With linked accounts, there are multiple ways of accessing your account that make keeping your email inbox secure, a laborious task."

Microsoft will send out emails to spread information to users about this update so users can prepare for the feature removal and also there will be information on how users can consolidate their inbox in the next few days.

Some industry insiders have make some comments on this act, some of them said: "Even though the Outlook.com/Hotmail team has been adding features at a feverish pace in the past few months, this seems like a step in the wrong direction for a platform that is looking to distance itself from the likes of Gmail and Yahoo mail."