Hotmail Sign in

Hotmail has come to you, transformed in many ways today. Being one of the first web based email services to have been started to offer email services for free, this service has now been changed in many ways by Microsoft. If you are planning to explore this service and gain access to the new features that Microsoft provides for the customers, here are some steps to follow and aspects to know about.

Hotmail offers you a premier and free web based email experience. Those who were dependent on internet service providers before realized the benefits of a free web based email experience through services like Hotmail and Yahoo that were launched in the late nineties. Before the sign in process was a simple one as was the process of signing up for a new account. The steps have been revised of late to ensure that customers can experience a more secure login experience.

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Hotmail sign in procedure in the past

If you wished to create an account with Hotmail there were basic steps followed in the past such as:

  • You need to choose a username that is unique.
  • One had to choose a password which was not set by strict guidelines.
  • Personal details that were required were basic such as entering first and last name.
  • Optional information could be provided which were not mandatory.

There were basic terms set for creating login details to a Hotmail account in the past. This led to the creation of multiple Hotmail accounts quite easily. The process was simpler as there were not adequate measures taken to ensure that malware attacks or spam infiltration were prevented as well as hacking attempts.

Changes to Hotmail domain

Soon Hotmail was acquired by Microsoft. This email service became associated with MSN. When one had to log onto MSN the login procedures were simple:

  • The username and password were the fields that had to be filled in.
  • There was an option to save these details so that one could easily open their email account.

The steps were basic and the process that existed for recovery of one’s account password was even simpler. There was a link provided for recovery of password below the login panel. All one needed to do was to ensure that they provided an alternate email address as well. Here the password would be sent as an email which allowed one to use the same to login into their Hotmail account.

There were some problems that started to arise with member accounts with this basic sign in process. Many users found that their accounts were being hacked. There were also complaints of Hotmail addresses being given out due to which spam mails started to fill the inbox of members. For ensuring security of the accounts Microsoft took up several measures. One of the steps taken was to integrate the email services that it offered on a single platform. With Live domain being introduced, all Hotmail users came in this domain to log onto their accounts. There were several new measures introduced to ensure that users found it a safer experience to access their Hotmail account.

The Outlook web email service was then launched by Microsoft. Outlook had always been a desktop based mail server system for Windows users. It was recently launched as a free email service that one can access to the public web. With the integration of all email services under the Live domain, Outlook launched led to further integration. Microsoft integrated Hotmail as well under the same domain. Today the login panel for Outlook as well as Hotmail has been synonymous and one can use the same integrated login platform for gaining access to either of the web based email domains.

Hotmail account users might find it confusing as their email accounts have migrated several times. However the domain of Hotmail.com had been kept active for a long time and even today, if you type in Hotmail.com on your web browser, you would be redirected to Outlook.com. Even if you are unaware of the changes, you can be sure that finding Hotmail sign in link would be easy on Live or Outlook domain.

New changes in sign in process

The process remains simple with certain security measures that have been added to the Outlook domain. When you come on this site to log onto your Hotmail account, here are some steps to follow:

  • There is a common login panel that the combined login page offers. This is a common interface created for logging into any Microsoft service that one holds account for.
  • Email address as well as username needs to be entered in the first field
  • You are then redirected to the next page where you need to key in account password.
  • When you have forgotten the password you used, there is a link provided for recreating the same.
  • You could also choose to stay logged into your Hotmail account. This option allows you to save the login details which need not be entered every time you wish to access your Hotmail account.
  • A security code option has been added by Microsoft. This feature can be activated through the settings section of your Hotmail account. This will allow you to receive a security code on your registered phone which needs to be keyed in to access your account. This will also help prevent the dilemma of having to remember your password every time.

Microsoft introduced several options that ensure that Hotmail can enjoy several benefits. There are several features of the email inbox that one can enjoy which have changed as per the common interface that Outlook offers. With the modern email inbox layout and other features you are sure to enjoy the added convenience of creating new emails and correspondence. At the same time you are assured that all information are retained in your old Hotmail account.

If you are new to Hotmail and wish to create a new account with the new interface of Outlook, the process is an easy one. You can simply click on the link that is provided for the creation of a new account. The account creation form provided for opening any account with Microsoft is a basic one. However the differences that are imposed are restrictions which come with a choice of a password for your account. When you wish to create a new account for Hotmail, you need to first choose a unique username. This needs to be followed by the choice of a unique password. You need to ensure that you choose a password that is at least eight characters in length and is an alphanumeric combination. Once the account password is chosen correctly and approved by the system check, you can proceed to fill in the other details. You also need to provide an alternate email address along with a registered phone number. This will help to activate a security measure of two step verification process.

Hotmail and new security features

The sign-in process has become more secure for Hotmail users of the changes that have been introduced:

  • You need to ensure that your account has a strong password which comprises of alphanumeric characters.
  • The password should comprise of case sensitive as well as special characters.
  • It is important that one also saves additional details that help one to secure their account as well as be able to recover their password easily.
  • These details comprise of saving an alternate email address as well as a registered phone number. These details when you key them in, need to be verified. Once the details are confirmed, you can also key in additional information to safeguard your account. These comprise of recovery for login details which comprise of choosing two security questions whose answers need to be provided. All such options will help to safeguard your account and recover your account password if you ever forget the same.

The new domain for Hotmail has several advantages. You will enjoy a modern web mail interface as well as a layout that is intuitive and easy to use. There are enhanced security features as well as added Microsoft services that one can use or access with the help of their Hotmail login details. These are some changes one can enjoy on Hotmail today.

How create a Hotmail account?

Hotmail is a popular web-based email service that is now accessed through the Microsoft Outlook account. This is a service that allows you to send and receive emails from anywhere in the world provided you have a computer and an internet connection.

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Brief introduction to Hotmail

Hotmail was first launched in 1996 as a free online email service that changed the way people communicated with each other. With a computer and an internet connection, a person sitting in Hong Kong was able to send business emails to his clients in Sydney. The communication between far and wide places was so instant and easy that email became a rage very quickly. Hotmail was very popular and Microsoft acquired the email service and has changed it from Windows Live Hotmail to the new look Outlook.com.

All you need it to create a Hotmail account and sign into the Hotmail account using the email address and password to send and receive emails, photos, documents with friends, relatives, and business colleagues all over the world. Hotmail is now renamed to Outlook.com and Microsoft offers a host of new features to give its customers more options to communicate. Today with a Hotmail email account, you get to access all the Microsoft online services offered like Skype, OneDrive, OneNote, Xbox, etc.

Steps involved in creating Hotmail account

If you are worried that you will not be able to create a new Hotmail account as Microsoft has moved the Hotmail to Outlook.com account, then you will be happy to know that Microsoft has given the chance for diehard fans of Hotmail to open a Hotmail email address through the Outlook.com sign up page. But, the main issue is that you can only create the Hotmail email address using the Outlook website.

The steps involved in opening a new Hotmail account through Outlook.com are as follows:

  • Open your favorite web browser and go to the Microsoft Outlook website. Type hotmail.com or www.outlook.com in the address bar of the web browser.
  • You will be taken to the Microsoft Outlook sign-in page. Since you do not have a Microsoft account, you need to look for ‘Create account option’ and click on it. It will be on the top right side of the Microsoft Outlook page.
  • You will now land on the page to create your email address. You should type your preferred email address in the first text field seen on the page. There will be a down arrow seen in the type field, click on it to choose the domain for the new email. As you want to create a Hotmail account, you should choose the @hotmail.com option. Once you have typed in your email address, it will look like [email protected].

  • The next type field you see on the Create Account page is the Create password option. This is seen just under the new email, text field. You should make sure that your password is a strong one and has about 8 characters minimum. Ensure that you use upper case and lower case alphabets, numbers, special characters and symbols in your password to make it strong. But, ensure that you create a password that you can recall easily.
  • There is a “Send me promotional emails from Microsoft” option that you see just below the password text field. If you are not interested in receiving email offers from Microsoft, then uncheck the small box next to this option. You will not be included in the promotional email list of Microsoft.
  • Finally, click on the Next option seen below the Create password text field.

  • The next page is where you will be asked to key in your first and the last name. Type your first name in the first type box and your last name or initials in the second type box. After entering both the fields, click on the Next option seen at the bottom in blue color.
  • The next page will ask for your country or region. There will be a drop-down menu in the country/region box, click on it to choose your current location. The Outlook has the facility to automatically detect your location and fill the country/region in the respective field by itself.

  • The next option just below the country/region text box is the box for entering your birth date details. Choose the drop-down menu for the month, date and the year and choose the respective text field from the list. Once you have chosen your birth month, birth date and year, click on the Next option seen below this text box.
  • The next option is to add security info. This is to prove that you are the one looking to make a change in your Hotmail account and no one else. Hence, your mobile phone will be linked to your account so that you will receive a code on the phone to make changes. So, you need to verify your phone number.
  • You will see distorted letters and numbers on the type box. You should enter the characters correctly in the type box provided for it. Make sure that you enter it correctly as the code is case sensitive.
  • If you are not able to read the code correctly, you can click on the new button option to generate another code. Once you enter the code correctly, click on Next option.

Once all information that you have keyed in is correct, your new Hotmail email account will get created. You can use the newly created email address and the password to sign in to Hotmail inbox.

Create a Hotmail email alias

Microsoft gives you the permission to create up to 10 aliases in a year at any given time. If you are looking to set up a new alias account for your outlook.com email account, then you can do it by following these simple steps.

  • Sign in to your Hotmail account and then click on the ‘your info’ option.

  • Now, choose the ‘manage your sign-in email address’ option.

  • Look for the ‘add email alias’ option and click on it. You will be asked to enter a new email alias address. Type in any new email address that you like in the space provided.

  • After this, you click on the ‘add alias’ option. Your new email alias account is created and you will be intimated about the creation of the new email alias account through an email.

Hotmail sign in problems

If you are having trouble signing in to your Hotmail account, then this could be due to different reasons. Some of them are discussed below.

Cannot recall the password

This is a very common issue among many of the Hotmail email account users. You would have created a lot of email accounts and do not remember the right password. If this is the case, then resetting your password is the best option.

  • Go to Hotmail sign-in page and choose the option ‘forgot password’.
  • You will be directed to the password reset page where you should first choose an option as to why you need to reset the current password.
  • You will be asked to enter your email address in the text box and then enter the characters that are shown on the screen. After this, click the Next option.
  • If you have activated the security info on the Hotmail account, you will receive a code on your mobile phone or alternate email address. Enter the code in the type box for the code and then you will get the access to create a new password.

Check the caps lock

If you have your CAPS LOCK turn on, then you will not be able to access your Hotmail account even if so, you are tying the correct password for the email address. Make sure that the Caps Lock is turned off and try entering your password once again.

Sign in with a different device

If you are traveling and you are looking to sign in with your mobile phone for the first time, then Microsoft might not allow you to access the account. This is because it always keeps a tag on unusual sign-in activity and if you are not signed in using your regular device, then it can prevent you from gaining access to the inbox. You just need to confirm that you are the real person and that you are signing in from a different device to get the inbox access.