If you’ve been wondering what happened to Hotmail — you’re not alone. Millions of users worldwide once used Hotmail as their main email service. In 2013, Microsoft officially transitioned Hotmail accounts to Outlook.com, a modern and secure email platform that retains all your old data and features under a new name. This guide answers the most common questions about Hotmail, Outlook, and what you should do if you still have an old Hotmail address.
What happened to Hotmail?
Microsoft rebranded Hotmail to Outlook.com in 2013 as part of a complete update to its email services. All existing Hotmail accounts were automatically moved to Outlook.com with the same login credentials and stored emails. Official source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/outlook-com-faq-406c9b40-8fb1-4e21-a926-3b4b58f0eab2
Can I still use my Hotmail email address?
Yes. You can continue using your @hotmail.com address to send and receive emails via Outlook.com or the Outlook app. The address remains active and valid.
Is Hotmail gone forever?
The Hotmail brand no longer exists as a separate service, but all accounts were merged into Outlook.com, which provides improved security, speed, and integration with Microsoft 365.
How do I log into my old Hotmail account?
Go to https://outlook.live.com
and sign in with your old Hotmail email and password. Your inbox and data are still accessible through the Outlook.com interface.
Did Microsoft delete old Hotmail accounts?
Microsoft deletes inactive accounts after two years of inactivity. If you haven’t logged in for that period, your account may be permanently removed.
Are my old Hotmail emails still safe?
Yes. If you regularly use your account, your emails and attachments remain stored securely under Microsoft’s Outlook.com service, protected by modern encryption and spam filtering.
What’s the difference between Hotmail and Outlook?
Outlook.com is the upgraded version of Hotmail, featuring a new interface, enhanced security, and integration with Office Online and OneDrive. Functionally, Outlook.com replaced Hotmail entirely.
Can I create a new Hotmail account today?
No, new Hotmail accounts can no longer be created. However, you can make a new Outlook.com address — it works the same way, just under a different domain.
How can I recover my old Hotmail account if I forgot the password?
Use Microsoft’s account recovery tool at https://account.live.com/password/reset
. Follow the steps to verify your identity and reset your password.
Is Outlook.com free to use?
Yes, Outlook.com is free, with optional premium upgrades via Microsoft 365 for additional storage and ad-free experience.