If you’ve been typing “hotmail.com” into your browser and wondering why your old inbox isn’t showing up, you’re not alone. Microsoft quietly retired the Hotmail brand over a decade ago, merging everything into Outlook.com — but that doesn’t mean your legacy account is gone. Your @hotmail.com address still works, and the sign-in process is simpler than you might expect once you know where to look.

4 related posts

Launched: 1996 ·
Acquired by Microsoft: 1997 ·
Migrated to Outlook.com: 2013 ·
Current platform: Outlook.com ·
Sign-in URL: outlook.com

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Status of extremely old inactive accounts after extended dormancy
  • Exact retention policies for accounts last accessed before 2013
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Legacy accounts continue operating under Outlook branding (Microsoft Support)
  • New account creation available at signup.live.com (Microsoft Support)

Five key facts about the Hotmail-to-Outlook transition, drawn from Microsoft’s official documentation: here’s what you need to know before attempting to sign in.

Field Value
Original name Hotmail
Current name Outlook.com
Sign-in portal outlook.com
Owner Microsoft
Migration year 2013

How to sign in to Hotmail

Getting into your legacy Hotmail account takes about 60 seconds once you’re on the right page. The process hasn’t changed in principle since Microsoft unified its email services — you still need your Microsoft account credentials, whether your email ends in @hotmail.com, @live.com, @msn.com, or @outlook.com.

Go to Outlook.com

Open your browser and navigate to www.outlook.com. According to Microsoft’s official support documentation, this is the primary sign-in URL for all legacy Hotmail accounts (Microsoft Support). Alternative URLs include outlook.live.com and www.hotmail.com, both of which redirect automatically to the Outlook login page (IOMC World).

Enter Hotmail credentials

On the Outlook sign-in page, enter your full email address — including the @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @msn.com suffix — in the username field. Select “Next,” then type your password on the following screen. The sign-in process requires entering the email address first, then the password on a separate page, which adds a layer of security for account protection.

Troubleshoot sign-in errors

If you encounter error messages, start with the basics: check that caps lock is off, verify you’re using the correct email format, and clear your browser cache. Microsoft’s sign-in troubleshooter can walk you through persistent issues, including forgotten usernames or passwords that prevent access. The tool is accessible directly from the sign-in page without needing to remember your current credentials.

Bottom line: Hotmail sign-in now routes through Outlook.com. Use your full legacy email as the username, enter your password separately, and bookmark the correct portal URL to avoid redirects.

What happened to my Hotmail email account?

Hotmail didn’t disappear — it evolved. Microsoft launched Hotmail in 1996 as one of the first free web-based email services, and it quickly became a cornerstone of early internet communication. When Microsoft acquired Hotmail in 1997, the service continued operating independently for over a decade before the company decided to consolidate its email offerings under the Outlook brand.

Hotmail migration to Outlook

In 2013, Microsoft completed the migration of all Hotmail accounts to Outlook.com, creating a unified platform that combined email, calendar, and cloud storage. During this transition, every Hotmail user received an Outlook.com address as their primary identifier, though their existing @hotmail.com aliases remained active and functional.

Account status check

If you’re unsure whether your Hotmail account survived the migration, try signing in with your @hotmail.com address at outlook.com. Accounts that haven’t been accessed for more than 2 years may have been deleted according to Microsoft’s inactive account policy (Microsoft Support). If your account no longer exists, you’ll need to create a new Microsoft account or attempt recovery through the account recovery form.

Data preservation

Microsoft migration preserved emails, contacts, folders, and settings from legacy Hotmail accounts. According to official Microsoft guidance, no data was lost during the transition for accounts that remained active through 2013. Your inbox, sent messages, and custom folders transferred automatically when you first accessed Outlook.com with your Hotmail credentials.

Why this matters

Microsoft didn’t delete Hotmail accounts — it rebranded them. If your old inbox feels gone, it’s likely just a matter of knowing the right portal. Your data almost certainly survived the transition if you accessed the account at any point after 2013.

Hotmail is now Outlook.com. To sign in to your Hotmail account, go to www.outlook.com and select Sign in.

— Microsoft Support

Can you still login into Hotmail?

Yes, absolutely. Your @hotmail.com address is still a valid Microsoft account identifier, and you can access it through the same Outlook.com portal used by Outlook.com and Microsoft 365 users. The login interface looks slightly different from the classic Hotmail layout, but the underlying service is fully functional.

Current login process

The current login process accepts four types of Microsoft email addresses: @hotmail.com, @live.com, @msn.com, and @outlook.com. Users can access Hotmail accounts using any of these addresses through the same Outlook login page, according to Microsoft’s official documentation (RSS.org Hotmail Login Guide). There is no separate “Hotmail-only” portal anymore — all Microsoft email services now share a unified sign-in system.

Legacy vs new interface

The Outlook.com interface includes some features that weren’t available on classic Hotmail, including built-in calendar integration, OneDrive access, and connection to Microsoft 365 services. A Hotmail email address also serves as a full Microsoft account, meaning you can sign into OneDrive, Xbox, and Microsoft 365 using the same credentials (Microsoft YouTube).

Mobile sign-in

On mobile devices, you can access your Hotmail account through the Outlook mobile app or by navigating to outlook.com in your mobile browser. The app supports adding @hotmail.com accounts alongside other Microsoft email addresses and provides push notifications for new messages.

Your @hotmail.com address works just like any other Microsoft account. You can sign in to Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox, and other Microsoft services with the same credentials.

— Microsoft YouTube channel

How can I regain access to my Hotmail account?

Forgetting your password or losing access to your Hotmail account can be frustrating, but Microsoft provides a structured recovery process that works for most users. The key is having registered security information — an alternate email, phone number, or security questions — linked to your account.

Forgot password recovery

Navigate to the Microsoft password reset page and select “I forgot my password.” You’ll be prompted to enter your Hotmail email address, then verify your identity using your registered alternate email, phone number, or security questions. Once verified, you can create a new password immediately.

Username recovery

If you’ve forgotten which email address you used for your Hotmail account, visit the username recovery page. Microsoft will ask you to enter the phone number or alternate email associated with your account, then show you the Microsoft account usernames linked to that security information.

Account verification

In cases where you no longer have access to your security info, Microsoft offers an account verification form that asks detailed questions about your account usage — when you created it, typical contacts, and billing information if you ever purchased Microsoft services. This process takes 24-48 hours and may require supporting documentation.

The catch

Accounts inactive for more than 2 years may have been permanently deleted, according to Microsoft’s inactive account policy. If your account is gone and you didn’t link security info, recovery is unlikely — which is why linking an alternate email now is worth doing for any active account.

When you can’t sign in, the sign-in troubleshooter can help you recover your account or verify your identity.

— Microsoft Account Support team

My username and password have stopped working

If you’re certain you’re using the correct credentials but still can’t sign in, the issue is usually account lockout, a system error, or a change you weren’t aware of. Here’s how to diagnose and resolve the most common causes.

Reset password steps

Reset your password at account.live.com. The reset process requires identity verification through your alternate email or phone, after which you can set a new password and immediately access your account. Choose a strong password with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols to prevent future lockouts.

Check account lockout

Microsoft temporarily locks accounts after multiple failed sign-in attempts as a security measure. If your account is locked, wait 24 hours and try again, or use the password reset tool to regain access immediately. Repeated lockout events may indicate someone is attempting to access your account — in this case, complete a full password reset and enable two-factor authentication.

Two-factor authentication issues

If you’ve enabled two-factor authentication on your Microsoft account and can no longer receive the verification code, use your recovery codes (which you should have saved when setting up 2FA) or verify through your alternate authentication method. If all else fails, the account verification form can restore access after manual review.

The trade-off

Strong security measures like two-factor authentication reduce unauthorized access but add friction to your own login process. Keep recovery codes in a secure location, and ensure your alternate email and phone are current — otherwise a lost device could lock you out of your own account.

Upsides

  • Legacy @hotmail.com addresses still work
  • Sign-in unified with Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Xbox
  • Full data migration preserved all emails and folders
  • Password reset via official Microsoft recovery tool

Downsides

  • Old Hotmail interface no longer available
  • Accounts inactive 2+ years may be deleted
  • Recovery requires pre-registered security info
  • No separate Hotmail portal — must use Outlook.com

How to sign into Hotmail: step-by-step

Whether you’re accessing a decade-old account or setting up your legacy email on a new device, here’s the complete procedure in order.

  1. Navigate to the sign-in portal: Open your browser and go to www.outlook.com. Bookmark this URL for quick access.
  2. Click “Sign in”: Locate the “Sign in” button in the upper-right corner of the Outlook.com homepage.
  3. Enter your full email address: Type your complete @hotmail.com, @live.com, @msn.com, or @outlook.com address in the username field.
  4. Select “Next”: Click the Next button to proceed to the password entry screen.
  5. Enter your password: Type your current Microsoft account password. If you’ve forgotten it, select “Forgot password?” to begin recovery.
  6. Complete two-factor authentication (if enabled): Enter the verification code sent to your phone or alternate email.
  7. Access your inbox: After successful authentication, you’ll reach your Outlook.com mailbox with all your legacy Hotmail emails intact.
The upshot

The sign-in process hasn’t fundamentally changed — you still need your email and password. The only adjustment is using Outlook.com instead of hotmail.com as the entry point. For most users, the transition is seamless.

Related reading: How to copy and paste on Chromebook · How to reduce blue light exposure

Additional sources

youtube.com, iomcworld.org, ask.com, youtube.com, support.microsoft.com

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Frequently asked questions

Is Hotmail the same as Outlook?

Yes, functionally. Hotmail was rebranded as Outlook.com in 2013, and all legacy Hotmail accounts now operate on the Outlook platform. Your @hotmail.com address still works, but the service is now Microsoft’s unified Outlook email system.

How do I access Hotmail on mobile?

Download the Outlook mobile app from your device’s app store, then add your @hotmail.com account using your Microsoft credentials. Alternatively, open your mobile browser and navigate to outlook.com — the mobile-optimized site works without an app.

What if I forgot my Hotmail username?

Use Microsoft’s username recovery tool at account.live.com/username/recovery. Enter the phone number or alternate email associated with your account, and Microsoft will display the username(s) linked to that security information.

Does Hotmail support two-factor authentication?

Yes. Your Microsoft account (which includes your @hotmail.com address) supports two-factor authentication through the security settings at account.microsoft.com. Enabling 2FA significantly improves account security and is recommended for all active accounts.

How to set up Hotmail in email clients?

Configure your legacy Hotmail account in third-party email clients using IMAP settings: server outlook.office365.com, port 993, encryption TLS. Your full @hotmail.com address serves as both your username and the sender address.

Why was Hotmail changed to Outlook?

Microsoft consolidated its email services to create a unified ecosystem that includes email, calendar, tasks, and cloud storage. The Outlook brand had stronger enterprise recognition, so Microsoft phased out the Hotmail name while preserving all existing accounts and data.

Can I create a new Hotmail account?

Yes. Visit signup.live.com to create a new Microsoft account. During sign-up, you can choose a @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, or @live.com email address, though @hotmail.com usernames may be limited depending on availability.

Hotmail is now Outlook.com. To sign in to your Hotmail account, go to www.outlook.com and select Sign in.

— Microsoft Support (official guidance)

For anyone who created a Hotmail account in the late 1990s or early 2000s, the transition to Outlook.com marks the end of an era — but not the loss of your messages. Your inbox, contacts, and folders made the journey, and the sign-in portal simply moved to a new address. The sooner you bookmark outlook.com and test your current credentials, the less you’ll worry about whether your account still exists.