Note (September 2026): new Microsoft accounts have been passwordless by default since May 2025, so the password step below may not appear, and the old claim of “more than half a billion users” has been corrected to the 400 million active users recorded in 2013.
To sign up for Hotmail, go to outlook.com or hotmail.com, select Create free account, type the name you want, and choose hotmail.com from the domain drop-down. To log in, use the same Outlook.com sign-in page with your @hotmail.com address, because every Hotmail address is a Microsoft account. The old Hotmail site no longer exists.
Key Takeaways
- Hotmail became Outlook.com in 2013; hotmail.com and outlook.com both open the same Microsoft sign-in page.
- New @hotmail.com addresses can still be created: pick hotmail.com in the domain drop-down during Outlook.com sign-up.
- Since May 2025, brand-new Microsoft accounts are passwordless by default, so you may set up a passkey instead of a password.
- A free account includes 15 GB of mailbox storage and 5 GB of OneDrive storage, according to Microsoft Support.
- Lost access? Use “Forgot password?” first; if all security info is gone, the recovery form at account.live.com/acsr answers within about 24 hours.
Hotmail was replaced by Outlook.com in 2013, when Microsoft moved every Hotmail mailbox to the new service with a refreshed interface and new options for managing mail. According to Wikipedia, Hotmail launched on July 4, 1996, Microsoft bought it in December 1997, and the migration to Outlook.com was completed by May 2013. Anyone with a Microsoft account can use the same sign-in details for Outlook.com email.
Hotmail is not completely gone, because you can still create a new email address that ends in @hotmail.com. Anyone without a Microsoft account can set one up in minutes, and it gives access to Outlook.com email, calendar, contacts, and the other services that come with a Microsoft account.
This article shows you how to create a new Hotmail.com email address. Although Microsoft has retired the old Hotmail site and replaced it with Outlook.com, you can still create a new email address ending in “@hotmail.com” on your computer, phone, or tablet. The only difference is that you will use Outlook.com (or the Microsoft Outlook mobile app) to send and receive email instead of the old Hotmail site. As of September 2026, the sign-up form at signup.live.com still offers both @outlook.com and @hotmail.com, as a Microsoft moderator confirmed on the Microsoft Q&A forum in December 2025.
Using a computer
Go to https://www.hotmail.com in an internet browser.
As you will see, this address redirects you to the Microsoft Outlook website. Microsoft has replaced Hotmail with Outlook.com, its current web-based email service, which is the successor to Hotmail. While creating an Outlook.com account, you have the option to make your new email address end with the “@hotmail.com” domain name.
Click on “Create free account”
It is the blue button on the Outlook.com landing page (the exact position changes as Microsoft redesigns the page). Microsoft’s own support article says the same thing: “go to outlook.com and select Create free account.”
Make your new Hotmail email address and click Next
Type your preferred email name into the “New email” text field, then select hotmail.com from the drop-down menu next to it.
As long as your preferred email address is available, you will be taken to the next page after clicking “Next.” On accounts created since May 2025 this may be a passwordless setup rather than a password page (see the note below).
If someone else has already claimed that address, you will see a red error message telling you so. Try typing something different into the first field. You could add a number, some extra letters, an initial, or try something new altogether. Note that Microsoft does not recycle addresses: according to Microsoft Support, an address used for a closed Microsoft account cannot be used to create a new one, even years later.
Create a password
Type the password that you want to use into the “Create password” text field. For the strongest password, Microsoft recommends at least eight characters with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Since May 2, 2025, Microsoft has made brand-new Microsoft accounts “passwordless by default,” so you may instead be asked to set up a passkey (face, fingerprint, or device PIN) or to sign in with a one-time code sent to another email address; new users “never need to enroll a password,” according to Microsoft’s announcement as reported by BleepingComputer.
If you would rather not receive promotional emails from Microsoft, clear the checkbox that says “I would like information, tips, and offers about Microsoft products.”
Review Microsoft’s policies and click Next
By clicking the blue Next button, you are agreeing to the Microsoft Services Agreement and the privacy and cookies statement. You can read both documents by clicking their links before you continue.
Enter your full name and click Next
Your full name will be attached to your new account and will also appear in the “From” field of every email message you send to others.
Enter your birth date and click Next
Your country or region is also selected by default; if it is wrong, click the “Country/region” drop-down menu to choose the right one.
Prove that you’re not a robot
Usually you will be asked to solve a puzzle or click a button to assure Microsoft that you are not a bot. Click Next to start the puzzle, then follow the on-screen instructions to finish it.
Choose whether to stay signed in
The last step in creating an account is to choose whether you want to stay signed in. If you are using a computer that only you use, you can choose Yes so you do not have to sign in as often. Clicking No is the safer choice on a shared or public computer. A January 2025 Microsoft notice said this prompt would be removed in February 2025, but Microsoft then told The Verge the notice was published in error; as of September 2026 the prompt still appears.
Browse your new inbox.
When you have finished creating your account, you will be taken to your Outlook.com inbox. It does not look like the old Hotmail interface, but the idea is the same: free web-based email that is fast and easy to use. According to Microsoft Support, a free account includes 15 GB of mailbox storage plus 5 GB of OneDrive cloud storage that is shared with email attachments.
To send a new message, click New mail (older versions say New message) in the upper-left corner of your inbox.
Once you have created your new Hotmail account, you can also download the free Microsoft Outlook app for iPhone, iPad, or Android to read your email on the go.
Using a Phone or Tablet
Open the Microsoft Outlook email application
Look for the blue Outlook icon with a white “O” on it. After installing the app, you will find it in your app list. When creating a new email address in the Microsoft Outlook app, you can choose “@hotmail.com” as your email domain.
You can download Microsoft Outlook free of charge from Google Play for Android or the App Store for iPhone and iPad.
Tap Create New Account
It is below the option for adding an existing account.
If there are already Microsoft accounts on your phone or tablet (usually ending in outlook.com, live.com, or hotmail.com), you will be asked whether you want to use one of them. Since you are creating a new account, tap Skip on this screen if you see it.
Make your new Hotmail email address
Type your chosen email name into the “New email” text field, then select hotmail.com from the drop-down menu next to it.
Tap the blue Next button
As long as your preferred email address is available, you will be taken to the next setup page (a password page, or a passwordless setup on newer accounts).
If someone else has already claimed that address, you will see a red error message telling you so. Try typing something else into the first field: add a number, some extra letters, an initial, or try a new name altogether.
Create a password
Type the password you want to use into the “Create password” text field. For the strongest password, use at least eight characters with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, as Microsoft recommends. If the app offers a passwordless account instead, you can set up a passkey and skip the password entirely.
If you would rather not receive promotional emails from Microsoft, tap the box next to “I would like information, tips, and offers about Microsoft products” to clear the checkmark.
Read Microsoft’s policies and tap Next
By tapping Next, you are agreeing to the Microsoft Services Agreement and the privacy and cookies statement. You can read both documents by tapping their links before you continue, then follow the on-screen instructions to prove that you are human.
Solve the puzzle
Microsoft will ask you to solve a puzzle to prove that you are not a bot.
Enter your full name
Your full name will be attached to your new account and will also appear in the “From” field of every email message you send.
Select your birthdate and tap Next
Your country or region is also selected by default; if it is wrong, tap the “Country/region” drop-down menu to choose the right one.
Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the setup
The remaining steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using an Android, iPhone, or iPad, because these platforms have different privacy rules that require different notifications and choices.
When your account is ready, you will be taken to your Inbox. Whenever you want to send and receive mail with your Hotmail account, simply open the app and it takes you straight to your inbox.
To send a new message, tap the compose (pencil) button in the lower-right part of the screen.
Tap Calendar in the bottom bar to use your free Outlook calendar.
Where is the login page for Hotmail?
Many Hotmail users spend time searching for a separate Hotmail login page that no longer exists.
When Microsoft retired Hotmail in 2013, it moved the sign-in page to Outlook.com and replaced the old interface with the Outlook design.
The free webmail service was rebuilt from the ground up as Microsoft set out to compete with Google’s Gmail.
According to Wikipedia, Outlook.com had 400 million active users when the Hotmail migration was completed in May 2013, making it one of the most widely used free email services; Microsoft has not published a comparable current figure as of September 2026.
If you used to have a Hotmail account and want to keep using the webmail service, simply go to www.hotmail.com or www.outlook.com; both addresses lead to the same Outlook.com sign-in page.
You can use your old Hotmail login details here, because a Hotmail address is a Microsoft account; any other Microsoft account works the same way.
Tip: Some users report that they cannot get into their old Hotmail accounts through Outlook.com, usually because the password or security information has been forgotten.
If that happens to you, first try “Forgot password?” on the sign-in page; if you no longer have any of your security information, use the account recovery form described below before you give up and create a new Microsoft account.
How to get into an old Hotmail.com account
Users who have lost their Microsoft account details can use their security information (a recovery phone number or alternate email address) to get back into their Hotmail.com account. According to Microsoft Support, you select “Forgot password?” on the sign-in page, choose where to receive a verification code, enter the code, and create a new password.
However, if the Hotmail account is very old, the recovery phone number or alternate email address may also have been lost or forgotten.
Help is available through the Microsoft account recovery form, found at account.live.com/acsr. Microsoft notes that the form cannot be used on accounts that have two-step verification turned on.
Simply enter the email address, phone number, or username of the account in question.
Then provide a working alternative email address that Microsoft can use to contact you about your request; Microsoft says this address is used only for the recovery form.
You will next be asked to enter the characters shown on screen to prove you are not a bot.
A screen will then ask you to verify the contact email address.
Check this secondary email for a message from Microsoft containing the security code, then enter the code and tap Verify.
Select Submit when you are done. According to Microsoft Support, a response can take up to 24 hours, and if the request is denied you can try again up to two times per day.
Is Hotmail the same as Outlook?
Hotmail and Outlook.com are the same service today. Hotmail was a standalone webmail service launched in 1996 and bought by Microsoft in 1997; in 2012 Microsoft opened Outlook.com as its replacement and finished moving every Hotmail mailbox across by May 2013, according to Wikipedia. Your @hotmail.com address, contacts, and messages carried over, so nothing was lost in the change.
How do I log in to Hotmail?
Log in to Hotmail by visiting outlook.com (hotmail.com redirects to the same page), entering your full @hotmail.com address, selecting Next, and then entering your password, passkey, or one-time code. If you have turned on two-step verification, approve the sign-in in the Microsoft Authenticator app or enter the code sent to your phone or alternate email.
On a phone, open the Outlook app, tap Add account, and enter your Hotmail address; the app recognizes it as a Microsoft account. On a shared device, sign out afterward or use a private browsing window.
Hotmail sign-up: computer vs. phone at a glance
| Step | Computer (outlook.com) | Phone or tablet (Outlook app) |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Open outlook.com or hotmail.com, click Create free account | Install Outlook, tap Create new account |
| Choose address | Type a name, pick hotmail.com in the drop-down | Type a name, pick hotmail.com in the drop-down |
| Secure it | Password (8+ characters, mixed case, numbers, symbols) or passkey | Password or passkey; phone biometrics can be used |
| Details | Name, country/region, birth date, robot check | Name, country/region, birth date, robot check |
| Finish | Inbox opens at outlook.com | Inbox opens in the app |
What changed for new Microsoft accounts?
As of September 2026, two changes affect anyone following an older Hotmail guide. First, since May 2, 2025, brand-new Microsoft accounts are passwordless by default: new users sign in with a passkey or a one-time code and never need to create a password, and existing users can delete their password in account settings. Second, Microsoft Support states that an address used for a closed Microsoft account can never be reused, so a closed Hotmail name is gone for good.
How to keep a Hotmail account secure
A Hotmail address is often a person’s oldest email account, which makes it a common target for phishing and password-reuse attacks. The most effective protections are simple:
- Use a unique password of at least eight characters with mixed case, numbers, and symbols, or switch the account to a passkey. The secure password generator on this site creates one for you, and this guide to creating a strong password explains what makes one hard to guess.
- Turn on two-step verification at account.microsoft.com/security, and add a current phone number and alternate email as security info so password resets work. Remember that the account recovery form cannot be used once two-step verification is on, so keep your security info current.
- Check whether your address has appeared in a data breach; this guide to checking compromised passwords shows how.
- Learn the warning signs of fake “Hotmail account will be closed” messages in this overview of common email scams. Microsoft never asks for your password by email.
- Watch your storage. Microsoft Support says that once the 15 GB free mailbox is full you cannot send or receive email and incoming messages are returned to the sender, so empty Junk and Deleted Items now and then.
Common Hotmail sign-up and login problems
“Someone already has this email address.” The name is taken or belonged to a closed account. Add numbers or initials, or try outlook.com instead of hotmail.com.
“Your account or password is incorrect.” Check the full address including @hotmail.com and Caps Lock, then use “Forgot password?”.
No access to security info. Fill in the recovery form at account.live.com/acsr from a device and location you normally use, answer as many questions as you can (recent subject lines, contacts, old passwords), and wait up to 24 hours. You can retry twice a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still create a Hotmail email address?
Yes. As of September 2026 the Microsoft account sign-up form still offers hotmail.com alongside outlook.com in the domain drop-down, and a Microsoft Q&A moderator confirmed this in December 2025. You create it through Outlook.com, not through a separate Hotmail site.
Is Hotmail free?
Yes. A Hotmail address is a free Microsoft account. According to Microsoft Support, it includes 15 GB of email storage and 5 GB of OneDrive cloud storage; larger allowances require a paid Microsoft 365 subscription.
Where is the Hotmail login page?
The Hotmail login page is now the Outlook.com sign-in page. Typing hotmail.com into a browser redirects you there automatically, and your @hotmail.com address and password work unchanged.
Do I need a password for a new Hotmail account?
Not necessarily. Since May 2, 2025, Microsoft has made brand-new Microsoft accounts passwordless by default, so you can sign in with a passkey (face, fingerprint, or PIN) or a one-time code instead. If a password step does appear, use at least eight characters with mixed case, numbers, and symbols.
How do I recover an old Hotmail account without a phone number?
Use the Microsoft account recovery form at account.live.com/acsr. Provide a working contact email, answer the identity questions, and submit; Microsoft says a reply takes up to 24 hours and you can retry up to twice a day. The form does not work on accounts protected by two-step verification.
Can I use my Hotmail address in the Outlook app or Gmail?
Yes. The free Outlook app for iOS and Android accepts any @hotmail.com address as a Microsoft account, and Outlook.com accounts can also be added to other mail apps that support Microsoft accounts. Sign in with your normal Microsoft credentials or passkey.
