What you need to create a Hotmail account

A Hotmail account is an email address and inbox run by Microsoft. You can create one free in about five minutes using a web browser on any device — phone, tablet, or computer. You will need a working email address (any kind), a phone number, and a password you have not used elsewhere.

Hotmail accounts let you send and receive email, store files in OneDrive (Microsoft's cloud storage), and sign into Microsoft services like Office Online and Outlook. The account itself costs nothing, though some Microsoft services charge money if you want extra storage or premium features.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to outlook.com and click "Create free account" to start; you will need a recovery email and phone number.
  • You can choose a new Hotmail address (yourname@hotmail.com) or use an existing email as your recovery address.
  • Microsoft will text a code to your phone to verify you are real; you must enter this code to finish setup.
  • Your account is ready to use immediately after verification, and you can start sending email right away.

Step-by-step: Creating your account

Open a web browser and go to outlook.com. Click the blue "Create free account" button near the top right. You will see a form asking for your name, birth date, and country or region.

Next, you choose your email address. You can type a new address you want (like sarah.chen@hotmail.com) or use an existing email address instead. If you pick a new Hotmail address, Microsoft will check whether it is already taken. If it is, try adding numbers or a middle initial. Once you find one that is free, click "Next".

Enter a strong password — one you have never used on another website. Microsoft will show you a strength meter; aim for "Strong" (green). Then enter a phone number where Microsoft can text you a verification code. This is how they confirm you are a real person and not a bot.

Click "Next". Microsoft will text a six-digit code to your phone within seconds. Open the text message, copy the code, and paste it into the box on the screen. Click "Next" again.

You may see a screen asking you to confirm your recovery email (the address you provided earlier, or an existing email if you chose that route). This is the address Microsoft will use to help you if you forget your password. Click "Next" to confirm.

Your account is now live. You will land on your inbox, which is empty. You can start sending email immediately by clicking "New message" or the pencil icon.

Choosing between a new Hotmail address and using an existing email

When you create an account, you have two paths. The first is to get a brand-new Hotmail address (something@hotmail.com). The second is to use an email address you already own as your recovery email instead.

If you want a new Hotmail address, pick a name that is simple and professional — you may use it for job applications or formal contacts. Avoid numbers or special characters if you can, because they are harder for people to remember and type correctly. If your first choice is taken, Microsoft suggests alternatives, or you can try variations yourself.

If you already have an email address and just want to use Microsoft services, you can skip creating a new Hotmail address and use your existing email as your recovery address instead. This is faster and means you have one fewer email address to manage. However, you will not get a Hotmail address this way.

What to do if you forget your password

If you forget your Hotmail password, go to outlook.com and click "Can't access your account?" below the sign-in box. Microsoft will ask you for your email address or phone number, then send a code to your recovery email or phone.

Enter the code you receive, and Microsoft will let you create a new password. This is why the recovery email and phone number matter — they are your way back in if you get locked out. Keep them current; if you change your phone number, update it in your account settings so Microsoft can reach you.

Signing in on other devices

Once your account exists, you can sign in from any device. Open Outlook.com or the Outlook app (available free on phones and tablets), enter your Hotmail address and password, and you will see your inbox.

On a phone or tablet, download the Outlook app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Open it, tap "Add account", choose "Hotmail", and enter your email and password. The app will sync your inbox, calendar, and contacts across devices, so new emails appear on all of them.

If you use a shared computer, always sign out when you are done. Click your name or profile picture in the top right, then "Sign out". This prevents the next person from reading your email.

Setting up two-factor authentication for extra security

Two-factor authentication (or 2FA) adds a second lock to your account. Even if someone learns your password, they cannot sign in without a code from your phone. This is worth setting up if your email contains sensitive information or connects to important accounts.

Sign into your Hotmail account, click your profile picture in the top right, and select "View account". Click "Security" on the left. Under "Two-step verification", click "Turn on". Microsoft will ask you to confirm your phone number and choose how you want to receive codes — by text or through the Microsoft Authenticator app (a free app you download separately).

Text is simpler if you are new to this. Authenticator is more secure because codes are generated on your phone rather than sent over text, which can be intercepted. Either way, once you turn on 2FA, you will need to enter a code every time you sign in from a new device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Hotmail address after I create it?

You cannot change the address itself, but you can add an alias — a second address that sends and receives email from the same inbox. Go to "Manage your Microsoft account", click "Email & accounts", and select "Add alias". You can have up to 10 aliases, though only one can be your primary address.

What if the phone number I used is no longer active?

Sign into your account while you still have access, go to "Security" in your account settings, and update your phone number. If you are already locked out, go to outlook.com, click "Can't access your account?", and follow the recovery steps — Microsoft will send a code to your recovery email instead.

Is Hotmail the same as Outlook?

Hotmail is the older name; Microsoft rebranded it to Outlook in 2013. If your address ends in @hotmail.com, you are using Outlook — the inbox and features are identical. The terms are used interchangeably now.

Can I delete my Hotmail account?

Yes. Go to "Manage your Microsoft account", click "Account info", scroll to "Close your account", and follow the steps. Microsoft will give you 60 days to change your mind. After that, the account and all its email are permanently deleted, and no one else can claim that address for 90 days.

Do I need a credit card to create a free Hotmail account?

No. Microsoft does not ask for payment information to create a free account. If you later buy OneDrive storage or Microsoft 365 (Office subscription), you will need a card, but the email account itself is free.