Hotmail: Connect to your mailbox via Outlook

Q: How do I create a Hotmail/Outlook account?

To create a Hotmail/Outlook account : Go to outlook.live.com and click on "Create a free account". Enter the email address you wish to use (ending in @hotmail.com, @hotmail.fr, @live.com, @msn.com or @outlook.com) and click "Next". Enter the password you wish to use and click "Next". Enter your personal information, such as your name, country, and date of birth, and click "Next." Enter the verification code that will be sent to you by email or SMS and click "Next.". Congratulations, you have created your Hotmail/Outlook account!

Q: How do I change my Hotmail/Outlook email address?

If you wish to change your Hotmail/Outlook email address , you have two options: First option : create a new email address or add an existing email address. To create a new email address : Go to My Microsoft account > Your information > Manage how you sign in to Microsoft and click on "Add an email address". Enter the email address you wish to use (ending in @hotmail.com, @hotmail.fr, @live.com, @msn.com or @outlook.com) and click on "Add an alias address". You will need to confirm your identity by entering the code that will be sent to you by email or SMS. Second option : choose which email address to use as your primary address to log in to your account. To add an existing email address : Go to My Microsoft account > Your information > Manage how you sign in to Microsoft and click on "Add an existing email address as an alias". Enter the email address you wish to use (which can be from a domain other than Microsoft) and click on "Add an alias address". You will need to confirm that you own this email address by entering the code that will be sent to you by email. You can then choose which email address to use as your primary address to log in to your account.

Q: How do I delete my Hotmail/Outlook account?

If you wish to delete your Hotmail/Outlook account , please be aware that this will delete all services and data associated with your Microsoft account, such as your email, calendar, contacts, OneDrive files, Office or Xbox subscriptions, etc. To delete your Hotmail/Outlook account: Go to My Microsoft account > Security > Additional options > Close my account and follow the instructions. You will need to confirm your identity by entering the code that will be sent to you by email or SMS. You will also need to verify that you have read and understood the consequences of deleting your account and that you accept the terms and conditions. You will then have 60 days to cancel the deletion of your account if you change your mind.

Q: How do I forward my Hotmail/Outlook messages to another email address?

If you want to forward your Hotmail/Outlook messages to another email address , you can use the automatic forwarding feature. To activate automatic forwarding : Go to Outlook.com > Settings > View all Outlook settings > Mail > Forwarding and click "Turn on forwarding". Enter the email address to which you want to forward your messages and choose whether you want to keep a copy of the forwarded messages in your inbox or not. Click on "Save" to confirm the automatic transfer. You can disable automatic transfer at any time by clicking on "Disable transfer".

Q: How do I sync my Hotmail/Outlook contacts with my phone or tablet?

If you want to sync your Hotmail/Outlook contacts with your phone or tablet , you need to add your Hotmail/Outlook account to your device. To add your Hotmail/Outlook account to your Android device : Go to Settings > Accounts > Add an account > Exchange and enter your email address and password. Choose the items you want to sync, such as contacts, calendar, or emails. To add your Hotmail/Outlook account to your iOS device : Go to Settings > Passwords and Accounts > Add Account > Outlook.com and enter your email address and password. Choose the items you want to sync, such as contacts, calendar, or emails.

Q: Are Hotmail and Outlook the same thing or not?

Yes, there is a difference between Hotmail and Outlook. Hotmail is the name of the webmail service launched in 1996, which was acquired by Microsoft in 1997 and renamed Outlook.com in 2013. Outlook is the name of Microsoft's email program, which is part of the Microsoft Office suite and offers a more comprehensive set of features than Hotmail. Outlook can also function as a domain name for email addresses ending in @outlook.com. In summary, the main difference between Hotmail and Outlook lies in the evolution of Microsoft's email services . Hotmail was replaced by Outlook to offer an improved user experience, more advanced features, and better security.

Q: What is the most effective method for cleaning up my Hotmail/Outlook inbox?

You can use Cleanfox , software that helps you eliminate unwanted emails. Simply connect it to your email address, and it will scan your messages and sort them by sender. Then, it will suggest emails to delete or newsletters you can unsubscribe from.

François

Hotmail is one of the email services , with over 400 million active users. Launched in 1996, Hotmail was acquired by Microsoft in 1997 and rebranded as Outlook.com in 2013. Today, Hotmail and Outlook are interchangeable names for the same email service, which offers numerous features and benefits to users.

In this article, we'll explain how to log in to your Hotmail/Outlook mailbox and manage your account . We'll also give you some tips to optimize your email experience and protect your account .

How do I log in to my Hotmail/Outlook mailbox?

To access your Hotmail/Outlook email , follow these simple steps:

Open your web browser and go to outlook.live.com .

Enter your email address (ending in @hotmail.com, @hotmail.fr, @live.com, @msn.com or @outlook.com) and click "Next".

Enter your password and click " Log in ".

You can also sign in with your phone number or Skype account if you have linked them to your Microsoft account.

If you want to access your email directly the next time you open the site, check the " Keep me signed in " box. Note that this option is not recommended for shared or public computers, as it may compromise the security of your account.

If you are unable to log in, please check that you have entered your email address and password . If you have forgotten your password or your account is locked, click on " Can't access your account? " and follow the instructions to recover it.

How do I log out of my Hotmail/Outlook mailbox?

To log out of your Hotmail/Outlook email account, follow these simple steps:

Click on your initials or account image in the upper right corner of your inbox.

Sign out of your Hotmail/Outlook mailbox

Click on "Log out".

Remember to close all browser windows to prevent anyone else from accessing your account.

This article may interest you if you use Outlook: How to create an electronic signature in Outlook

How do I manage my Hotmail/Outlook account?

Your Hotmail/Outlook account allows you to take advantage of many services and features offered by Microsoft, such as:

The calendar : to organize your appointments, events and reminders.
Contacts : to save the contact details of your friends, family and colleagues.
Tasks : to create to-do lists and track your progress.
OneDrive : to store your files online and share them easily.
Office Online : for creating and editing Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote documents.
Skype : for making video and voice calls with your contacts.
Bing : to search the web and earn Microsoft Rewards points.

To manage your Hotmail/Outlook account , click on your initials or account picture in the upper right corner of your inbox. You can then access the following settings:

My profile : to modify your personal information, such as your name, photo, date of birth or gender.
My Microsoft account : to manage settings related to your Microsoft account, such as security, privacy, billing, or subscriptions. You can also change your password, add or remove email addresses or phone numbers associated with your account, or review your recent activity.
Outlook.com : to personalize your email experience, such as the theme, layout, rules, notifications, or signatures. You can also manage your connected email accounts, such as Gmail or Yahoo Mail, or import or export your Outlook data.
Give your feedback : to share your opinion on Outlook.com and suggest ideas for improvement.
Help : to access help and support articles on Outlook.com and other Microsoft services.

How to optimize your Hotmail/Outlook email experience?

Hotmail/Outlook offers you many ways to optimize your email experience and save time . Here are a few tips to know:

Use keyboard shortcuts : You can use key combinations to perform quick actions on your messages, such as Ctrl + N to create a new message, Ctrl + Enter to send a message, Ctrl + R to reply to a message, Ctrl + Z to undo an action , etc. To see the complete list of keyboard shortcuts, press F1 or click the question mark in the upper right corner of your inbox.

Sort and filter your messages : You can sort your messages by date, sender, size, or importance by clicking the dropdown menu next to "Sort by." You can also filter your messages by clicking the dropdown menu next to "Filter" and choosing an option, such as "Unread," "With attachments," "Flagd," or "Mentions."
Create categories : You can create custom categories to organize your messages as needed. For example, you can create a "Work" category, a "Family" category, or a "Leisure" category. To create a category, click the drop-down menu next to "Categories" in the ribbon and choose "Manage Categories." To assign a category to a message, right-click the message and choose the desired category.
Use advanced search : You can use search operators to refine your search results. For example, you can type from:name to search for messages from a specific sender, subject:keyword to search for messages containing a keyword in the subject line , attachment:name to search for messages with a specific attachment, and so on. To see the full list of search operators, click the question mark in the search bar.

How to protect your Hotmail/Outlook security?

Hotmail/Outlook takes the security of your account and data seriously. Here are some tips to protect your security:

Choose a strong password : your password should be at least 8 characters long and contain a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using common words or personal information. Change your password regularly and don't share it with anyone.

Turn on two-step verification : Two-step verification adds an extra layer of security to your account. When you sign in from a new device or location, you'll need to enter a code that will be sent to you via email, text message, or an authenticator app. To turn on two-step verification, go to My Microsoft account > Security > Additional options > Two-step verification and follow the instructions.

Be vigilant against spam and phishing attempts : do not click on suspicious links or attachments in the messages you receive. Do not reply to messages that ask for personal or financial information. Report spam or fraudulent messages by clicking the "Spam" or "Phishing" button in the ribbon.
Use antivirus and firewall software : Protect your computer from viruses, malware, and attacks by using up-to-date antivirus and firewall software. You can use Windows Defender or other software of your choice.

How to use Hotmail/Outlook on mobile?

If you want to use Hotmail/Outlook on your phone or tablet , you have two options: use the web browser or download the mobile app.

Using a web browser : You can access your Hotmail/Outlook email by opening your device's web browser and going to outlook.live.com. You will need to sign in with your email address and password. You will then be able to view your messages, contacts, and calendar just like on a computer. You can also change your settings or manage your account.
Download the mobile app : You can download the Outlook mobile app on your Android or iOS device. You'll need to sign in with your email address and password. You can then view your messages, contacts, and calendar just like on a computer. You can also change your settings or manage your account. The Outlook mobile app offers some additional advantages, such as automatic synchronization with your device.

Download the Outlook app from the App Store

Download the Outlook app from the Google Play Store

Hotmail/Outlook FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Hotmail/Outlook and their answers:

How do I create a Hotmail/Outlook account?

To create a Hotmail/Outlook account :

Go to outlook.live.com and click on "Create a free account".
Enter the email address you wish to use (ending in @hotmail.com, @hotmail.fr, @live.com, @msn.com or @outlook.com) and click "Next".
Enter the password you wish to use and click "Next".
Enter your personal information, such as your name, country, and date of birth, and click "Next." Enter the verification code that will be sent to you by email or SMS and click "Next.".

Congratulations, you have created your Hotmail/Outlook account!

How do I recover my Hotmail/Outlook password?

If you have forgotten your Hotmail/Outlook password or if you cannot log in to your account:

Click on "Can't access your account?" on the login page.
Enter your email address and click "Next".
Choose the option that suits you best to reset your password, such as sending a code by email, SMS or an authenticator app.
Enter the code you receive and click "Next".
Enter the new password you wish to use and click "Next".

recover my Hotmail/Outlook password — Photo credit: Microsoft Community

You can now log in to your account with your new password.

How do I change my Hotmail/Outlook email address?

If you wish to change your Hotmail/Outlook email address , you have two options:

First option : create a new email address or add an existing email address.

To create a new email address :

Go to My Microsoft account > Your information > Manage how you sign in to Microsoft and click on "Add an email address".
Enter the email address you wish to use (ending in @hotmail.com, @hotmail.fr, @live.com, @msn.com or @outlook.com) and click on "Add an alias address".
You will need to confirm your identity by entering the code that will be sent to you by email or SMS.

Second option : choose which email address to use as your primary address to log in to your account.

To add an existing email address :

Go to My Microsoft account > Your information > Manage how you sign in to Microsoft and click on "Add an existing email address as an alias".
Enter the email address you wish to use (which can be from a domain other than Microsoft) and click on "Add an alias address".
You will need to confirm that you own this email address by entering the code that will be sent to you by email.

You can then choose which email address to use as your primary address to log in to your account.

How do I delete my Hotmail/Outlook account?

If you wish to delete your Hotmail/Outlook account , please be aware that this will delete all services and data associated with your Microsoft account, such as your email, calendar, contacts, OneDrive files, Office or Xbox subscriptions, etc. To delete your Hotmail/Outlook account:

Go to My Microsoft account > Security > Additional options > Close my account and follow the instructions.
You will need to confirm your identity by entering the code that will be sent to you by email or SMS.
You will also need to verify that you have read and understood the consequences of deleting your account and that you accept the terms and conditions.
You will then have 60 days to cancel the deletion of your account if you change your mind.

How do I forward my Hotmail/Outlook messages to another email address?

If you want to forward your Hotmail/Outlook messages to another email address , you can use the automatic forwarding feature. To activate automatic forwarding :

Go to Outlook.com > Settings > View all Outlook settings > Mail > Forwarding and click "Turn on forwarding".
Enter the email address to which you want to forward your messages and choose whether you want to keep a copy of the forwarded messages in your inbox or not.
Click on "Save" to confirm the automatic transfer.

You can disable automatic transfer at any time by clicking on "Disable transfer".

How do I sync my Hotmail/Outlook contacts with my phone or tablet?

If you want to sync your Hotmail/Outlook contacts with your phone or tablet , you need to add your Hotmail/Outlook account to your device.

To add your Hotmail/Outlook account to your Android device :

Go to Settings > Accounts > Add an account > Exchange and enter your email address and password.
Choose the items you want to sync, such as contacts, calendar, or emails.

To add your Hotmail/Outlook account to your iOS device :

Go to Settings > Passwords and Accounts > Add Account > Outlook.com and enter your email address and password.
Choose the items you want to sync, such as contacts, calendar, or emails.

Are Hotmail and Outlook the same thing or not?

Yes, there is a difference between Hotmail and Outlook. Hotmail is the name of the webmail service launched in 1996, which was acquired by Microsoft in 1997 and renamed Outlook.com in 2013. Outlook is the name of Microsoft's email program, which is part of the Microsoft Office suite and offers a more comprehensive set of features than Hotmail. Outlook can also function as a domain name for email addresses ending in @outlook.com.

In summary, the main difference between Hotmail and Outlook lies in the evolution of Microsoft's email services . Hotmail was replaced by Outlook to offer an improved user experience, more advanced features, and better security.

What is the most effective method for cleaning up my Hotmail/Outlook inbox?

You can use Cleanfox , software that helps you eliminate unwanted emails. Simply connect it to your email address, and it will scan your messages and sort them by sender. Then, it will suggest emails to delete or newsletters you can unsubscribe from.

Conclusion

Hotmail/Outlook is a powerful and secure email service that lets you enjoy many of the benefits and features offered by Microsoft. Whether you want to create an account, sign in, manage your settings, optimize your experience, or protect your security, we hope this article has been helpful and answered your questions. If you need further assistance, please visit the Microsoft Help and Support website or contact customer service. Thank you for choosing Hotmail/Outlook!