When you have the "RED" bar on the PEOPLE menu (contact list), and you have no contacts in the list, you need to look to the right side of the bar (not shown in examples). There is a white gear symbol. Click on it for tool bar options. Click on "Help" There will be instructions for how the recover the missing contact lists for different computer systems.
I have an Asus i7 computer with Windows7 Home Premium, and IE10. Program works okay. You should have at least IE9 installed for the new Outlook. Many claim less problems with IE9, but I am happy with IE10. I learned how to work around the one bug I found (not all picture folders show when looking for attachments).
The new Outlook mail starts with no people showing up in the list when "NEW" mail button is pushed. If you have a contact list, entering the first letter of a name will show contacts under that letter. Contacts are added to what is now a "favorites" list each time a new e-mail is sent.
Clicking the blue "To" on new mail will show your current contacts list. If nothing shows your contact list has not been in-ported from the old Hotmail account yet.