I just migrated from Outlook Express 6 to Live Mail 2012, and got a rude awakening after sending a group email. I used my imported OE contacts & groups. When I added groups to the BCC line, I saw what I was accustomed to in OE: The name of the group. But in fact, Live Mail only sent a copy of the email to the one recipient in the regular To: line - my own address. Nobody else received the email.

One extra step is involved: There's a plus sign to the left of the group name. You have to click that plus sign, and then the group name will be expanded to show all the group members. That was not the case in OE.

I use these emails to announce my band's shows, so these mailings are what I consider a business essential. Luckily, I happened to speak with a few list members the day after (supposedly) emailing them, and they asked "Hey - when's your band playing again?"

Listen up, Microsoft: When you change a feature like that, you have to let users know about it. This isn't heavy lifting. Maybe the NSA is absorbing America's best programmers, but I expect maximum quality from Microsoft.