Does Hotmail still exist?
Hotmail as a website is gone, but millions of @hotmail.com addresses still send and receive email every day. Here is where they live now.
Yes and no. The Hotmail service was replaced by Outlook.com in 2013, but @hotmail.com addresses still work. To use one, sign in at outlook.com or in the Outlook app with your full Hotmail address and password. Your email, contacts and folders are all there.
What happened to Hotmail
Hotmail launched in 1996 as one of the first free web-based email services. Microsoft bought it in 1997, ran it as MSN Hotmail and Windows Live Hotmail, and moved all users to the new Outlook.com in 2013. The addresses kept working; only the website and app changed. Read more in the history of email.
How to sign in to Hotmail today
- Go to outlook.com and select Sign in, or open the Outlook app.
- Enter your full address, such as
name@hotmail.com. - Enter your password and complete any security check.
The same works for @live.com and @msn.com addresses.
Can't get in? Recover the account
- Use Forgot password on the sign-in page, and Microsoft will send a code to your recovery email or phone.
- If you no longer have those, fill in Microsoft's account recovery form with as many details as you remember.
- Microsoft can close accounts that haven't been signed in to for a long time, so sign in occasionally to keep an old address active.
More help in how to recover an email account.
Can you still create a Hotmail address?
When you create a new Microsoft account at outlook.com, Microsoft mainly offers @outlook.com addresses. Existing @hotmail.com addresses continue to work.
Questions people ask
- Is Hotmail still free?
- Yes. Hotmail addresses work in Outlook.com, which is free with optional paid Microsoft 365 plans.
- Is Hotmail the same as Outlook?
- Hotmail is now part of Outlook.com. Hotmail addresses use the same Outlook.com service and apps.
- Will my old Hotmail address still receive email?
- Yes, as long as the account is still active. Sign in at outlook.com to check.
- How do I sign in to Hotmail on my phone?
- Install the Outlook app or add the account to your phone's mail app, and sign in with your full Hotmail address.