The fastest way to get into Hotmail

Go to outlook.com in your web browser. Hotmail accounts now run through Outlook, so you sign in at the same place whether your address ends in @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, or @live.com. Type your full email address in the first box, then your password in the second, and click Sign in.

If you have not signed in for a while, Microsoft may ask you to verify your identity before letting you through. This usually means entering a code sent to your phone or a backup email address. This is a security step — it confirms the person signing in is actually you.

Once you are signed in, your inbox appears. Your email folders are on the left side, and your messages are in the center. If this is your first time using Outlook instead of the old Hotmail interface, the layout may look different from what you remember, but all your old messages are still there.

Key Takeaways

  • Hotmail accounts sign in through outlook.com, not a separate Hotmail website.
  • Microsoft may ask you to verify your identity with a code sent to your phone or backup email if you have not signed in recently.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Can't access your account" link on the sign-in page to reset it.
  • You can add your Hotmail account to phone apps like Outlook Mobile or Gmail by entering your email and password in the app's settings.

What to do if you forgot your password

On the outlook.com sign-in page, click Can't access your account? below the password box. Microsoft will ask you to enter your email address again, then show you two options: verify with a code sent to your phone, or answer security questions you set up earlier.

Choose whichever method you remember setting up. If you get a code by text or email, enter it on the next screen. If you answer security questions, make sure your answers match exactly what you entered when you created them — they are case-sensitive and spaces matter.

After you verify your identity, Microsoft lets you create a new password. Make it something you have not used before and something you can remember. Write it down somewhere safe if you need to, but do not share it with anyone.

Signing in on your phone or tablet

You can read your Hotmail on your phone through a web browser the same way you would on a computer — just go to outlook.com and sign in. The page automatically adjusts to fit your phone screen.

If you want a dedicated app instead, download Outlook Mobile from your phone's app store (Apple App Store for iPhone, Google Play for Android). Open the app, tap Add Account, and enter your full Hotmail address and password. The app will set itself up automatically.

Some people also use Gmail's app or Apple Mail to read Hotmail. These apps need your password, but they also need you to turn on a special security setting in your Microsoft account first. Go to account.microsoft.com, click Security, then App passwords, and generate a one-time password just for that app. Use that generated password instead of your real one when the app asks.

Two-factor authentication: adding extra security

Two-factor authentication means Microsoft asks for two different things to prove you are you — usually your password plus a code from your phone. This makes your account much harder to break into, even if someone gets your password.

To turn it on, go to account.microsoft.com and sign in. Click Security, then Advanced security options. Under Two-step verification, click Turn on two-step verification. Microsoft will ask you to enter your phone number and choose whether you want codes by text message or through the Microsoft Authenticator app.

After you set it up, every time you sign in from a new device, Microsoft sends you a code. You enter that code before you can access your email. This takes an extra 30 seconds but stops someone else from signing in even if they have your password.

When you cannot sign in even after resetting your password

If you reset your password but still cannot sign in, clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. Old cached login information sometimes blocks new passwords from working. In most browsers, you can do this by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac), then selecting All time and checking the boxes for Cookies and Cached images and files.

If you still cannot sign in after clearing your cache, your account may have been locked for security reasons. Go to account.microsoft.com/security and look for any alerts or suspicious activity. If you see a sign-in from a place you do not recognize, click it and tell Microsoft it was not you. Then change your password again.

If your account was hacked or you cannot recover it through the normal reset process, go to account.live.com/acsr and fill out the account recovery form. Microsoft will ask you questions about your account history to confirm you own it. This process can take several days.

Switching between multiple Hotmail accounts

If you have more than one Hotmail or Outlook account, you can sign into all of them at once. After you sign in to your first account, look for your profile picture or initials in the top right corner and click it. Select Add another account, then enter the email and password for your second account.

Now you can switch between accounts by clicking your profile picture again and selecting which account you want to use. Your inbox, contacts, and calendar for each account stay separate. You can also open both accounts in different browser tabs if you want to see them side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Hotmail password to sign into other Microsoft services?

Yes. Your Hotmail password is your Microsoft account password, so it works for Outlook, OneDrive, Office 365, Xbox, and any other Microsoft service tied to that email address. If you change your password, it changes for all of them at once.

What should I do if I see a sign-in from a city or country I do not recognize?

Go to account.microsoft.com/security and look at your recent activity. If you see a sign-in you did not make, click it and select This wasn't me. Then change your password immediately. Consider turning on two-factor authentication so someone cannot sign in again even if they have your old password.

Is it safe to save my Hotmail password in my browser?

It is safe if you are the only person who uses that computer. If other people use it, do not save your password — they could access your email without your permission. If you have already saved it and want to remove it, go to your browser settings, find Passwords, search for outlook.com, and delete it.

Can I sign into Hotmail if I am outside the United States?

Yes. Outlook.com works in almost every country. If you are having trouble signing in from another country, it may be a temporary network issue. Try again in a few minutes, or try a different browser. If your account was locked for security reasons because of the unusual location, Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity with a code.

What is the difference between Hotmail and Outlook?

Hotmail is the old name for the service. Microsoft renamed it to Outlook in 2013, but all old Hotmail accounts still work — you just sign in at outlook.com instead. Your @hotmail.com email address still works exactly the same way.