What happened to my old Hotmail email? If you’re trying to find your old Hotmail account, you might notice that it’s now called Outlook.com, which is part of Microsoft’s effort to merge its email services. But, the good news is that you can still use your Hotmail email address. Just create a new Outlook.com account and move over your old emails to the new account. This way, you can keep using your familiar Hotmail email address, while benefiting from the advanced features and security measures offered by Outlook.com.
Hotmail is one of the first web based email services that was founded in 1996. A year later it was acquired by Microsoft and integrated it into their suite of products, ultimately rebranding it as Outlook.com in 2013. Today, Outlook.com remains one of the most widely used email services, offering users a wide range of features. Whether you’re a personal or professional user, Outlook.com (formerly Hotmail) is a trusted email service that can help you stay connected and organized in today’s digital world.
Unlocking the Past: Accessing Your Old Hotmail Account Made Easy
If you’re trying to access an old Hotmail account, the process is relatively straightforward. Start by going to the Outlook.com login page and entering your old Hotmail email address. If you can’t remember your password, click on the “Forgot my password” option and follow the prompts to reset it. However, if your account has been inactive for an extended period, you may need to provide additional information to verify your identity, such as a phone number or alternate email address associated with the account.
Sign in to Hotmail or Outlook.com
- Go to the Outlook.com sign-in page and select Sign in.
- Enter your email address or phone number and select Next.
- On the next page, enter your password and select Sign in.
Check the Keep me signed in box if you want to go straight to Outlook.com next time and uncheck the box to be prompted for your password each time you sign in.
Can’t sign in to Hotmail? Here’s what you need to do
If you are unable to access your Hotmail email account then here are some of the steps you will need to perform.
Before proceeding make sure that Caps Lock is turned off (passwords are case sensitive). You should also make sure that your our email account is spelled correctly.
Forgotten password?
If you know you Hotmail email account name but somehow forgot the Hotmail password then you will have to reset the password.
- Go to Reset your password to begin.
- Choose the reason you can’t sign in, and select Next.
- Enter the email address you used when you created your Microsoft account.
- Enter the characters you see on the screen and select Next.
- If you added security info to your account, choose whether a one-time security code will be sent to your alternate mobile number or email address.
- Enter the code you receive on the next screen, and create a new password.
Account is blocked?
Your Hotmail account might be temporarily blocked because of an unusual sign-in activity. If your account is blocked you can recover your account by unblocking it.
- To unblock your account, you’ll need to reset your password.
- Enter the email address of the blocked account, then enter the characters you see on your screen and select Next.
- Enter the code generated by your authenticator app or select Use a different verification option to get a text message.
- After you enter the security code, you’ll need to change your password to complete the unblocking process.
Check the service status
There might be instances when you have the correct hotmail password but you still can’t gain access to your account. This can sometimes be caused by a service outage by your email service provider.
Try checking the service status for Outlook.com. If the status isn’t green, wait until the service is running normally and try again.
Did you know?
- Hotmail was founded in 1996 by Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith.
- Hotmail was one of the first free web-based email services, and it quickly gained popularity because it allowed users to access their email from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Hotmail was initially called “HoTMaiL” because it included the letters HTML, which is the programming language used to create web pages.
- Hotmail was acquired by Microsoft in 1997 for $400 million, which was a record-breaking acquisition at the time.
- Hotmail was rebranded as “Windows Live Hotmail” in 2007, and then again as “Outlook.com” in 2012.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access my old Hotmail account?
Go to the Outlook.com login page and enter your old Hotmail email address. If you can't remember your password, reset it by clicking on the “Forgot my password” option and following the prompts.
What if my Hotmail account has been inactive for a long time?
If your Hotmail account has been inactive for a long time, you may need to provide additional information to verify your identity before you can regain access.
Can I still use my Hotmail email address?
Yes, you can still use your Hotmail email address, but you'll need to create a new Outlook.com account and transfer over your old emails.
What if I don't remember my Hotmail email address?
If you don't remember your Hotmail email address, try searching for it in your email archives or social media accounts where you may have used it.
Can I still use the Hotmail interface?
No, the Hotmail interface has been discontinued, and all Hotmail accounts have been migrated to the Outlook.com interface.
