Hotmail login: how to get into your mailbox

For years, Hotmail was one of the most popular free email services in the world. In 2013 Microsoft renamed Hotmail to Outlook.com, but your old @hotmail.com, @hotmail.nl or @live.nl address still works just fine. Millions of people use their Hotmail address every day. Looking for professional email? Theory7 offers reliable email hosting with your own domain name: https://www.theory7.net/en/create-email/

Signing in through your browser

This is how you sign in to your Hotmail/Outlook account:

1. Open your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari)
2. Go to outlook.live.com or hotmail.com (redirects automatically)
3. Click Sign in
4. Enter your email address (@hotmail.com, @hotmail.nl, @live.nl or @outlook.com)
5. Click Next
6. Type your password and click Sign in
7. You are now in your inbox Tip: You can also go to outlook.com, which is the same service.

Signing in with the Outlook app (smartphone)

Android

1. Download the Microsoft Outlook app from the Google Play Store
2. Open the app and tap Add account
3. Enter your Hotmail address
4. Type your password
5. Complete the setup

iPhone/iPad

1. Download Microsoft Outlook from the App Store
2. Open the app and tap Get started
3. Enter your Hotmail/Outlook email address
4. Type your password and sign in
5. Allow notifications for new messages

Signing in with a desktop application

Microsoft Outlook (Windows/Mac)

1. Open Outlook and go to File > Add Account
2. Enter your Hotmail address
3. Outlook configures everything automatically
4. Type your password when prompted
5. Your mail is synchronized

Windows Mail (built into Windows 10/11)

1. Open the Mail app
2. Click Add account
3. Choose Outlook.com (this also works for Hotmail)
4. Sign in with your details
5. Your inbox appears automatically

Apple Mail (Mac)

1. Open Mail > Preferences > Accounts
2. Click + and choose Microsoft Exchange
3. Enter your Hotmail address and password
4. Follow the instructions to complete the setup

Common problems and solutions

Forgot your password

1. Go to outlook.live.com
2. Click Sign in and enter your email address
3. Click Forgot password?
4. Choose a verification method:

• Text message to your phone number
• Email to an alternate address
• Microsoft Authenticator app

5. Enter the code you received
6. Set a new password

Account blocked

1. Go to account.live.com/acsr
2. Fill in the account recovery form
3. Provide as much information as possible:

• Passwords you have used before
• Subject lines of recent emails
• Names of folders you created

4. Microsoft reviews your request within 24 hours

"That Microsoft account doesn't exist"

• Check that you are using the correct email address
• Note: @hotmail.com is different from @hotmail.nl
• Try every variant you may have used

Verification code doesn't arrive

• Check your spam/junk folder
• Wait 5 minutes and request a new code
• Try verification by phone number
• Check that your recovery information is still up to date

Security tips

1. Turn on two-step verification - Go to account.microsoft.com/security
2. Use the Microsoft Authenticator app - Safer than text message codes
3. Check recent activity - See where and when your account was signed in to
4. Create an app password - For apps that don't support modern authentication
5. Update your recovery information - Keep your phone number and alternate email address up to date

Frequently asked questions

Does Hotmail still exist?

Yes and no. The service is now called Outlook.com, but your @hotmail.com or @hotmail.nl address keeps working. You don't have to change anything.

Can I change my Hotmail address to Outlook?

No, you can't change your existing address. You can, however, add a new @outlook.com alias to your account in the settings.

Why do I see ads in my inbox?

Outlook.com is free and therefore shows ads. With a Microsoft 365 subscription you can use email without ads and you get extra features.