Can I still create a @hotmail.com email address in 2026?

Yes. When creating a new account at outlook.live.com, you can choose @hotmail.com from the domain dropdown. Other options include @outlook.com and @live.com — all are free and fully supported by Microsoft.

What is the Hotmail sign up URL?

New Hotmail accounts are created at outlook.live.com. Click Create free account on the sign-in page to begin. You can choose an @hotmail.com address during setup.

Do I need a phone number to sign up for Hotmail?

Microsoft may ask for a phone number for verification during signup, but it is not always required. You can sometimes skip this step or use an alternative email for verification instead.

Hotmail Sign Up 2026 – Create a Free Hotmail Account via Outlook.com

What is Hotmail Sign Up?

Hotmail sign up is the process of creating a free Microsoft Account with a @hotmail.com email address. Despite the Hotmail brand being retired in 2013, new @hotmail.com addresses can still be created in 2026. The official sign-up page is outlook.live.com — click Create free account and then select @hotmail.com from the domain dropdown during setup.

Creating a Hotmail account is completely free. You get a @hotmail.com email address, 15GB of mailbox storage, 5GB of OneDrive cloud storage, and immediate access to the entire Microsoft ecosystem — including OneDrive, Office Online (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft Teams, Xbox Live, and Skype — all using the same login credentials. There is no separate signup required for any of these services.

This guide covers how to create a Hotmail account on desktop browsers (Windows, Mac, Linux), Android smartphones and tablets, and iPhones running iOS. It also covers how to choose between @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, and @live.com, how to pick a username that works long-term, what to do immediately after creating your account, and how Hotmail compares to Gmail.

      Quick Reference — Hotmail Sign Up URLs
      Create Hotmail Account: outlook.live.com → Click "Create free account"
Direct Signup Link: outlook.live.com/owa/?nlp=1&signup=1
Sign In After Signup: outlook.live.com
Manage Your Microsoft Account: account.microsoft.com
Security Settings: account.microsoft.com/security
Email Aliases: account.microsoft.com/profile/aliases
Storage Usage: onedrive.live.com (check storage bar)

    

How to Create a Hotmail Account — Step by Step

Select your device below. The signup process takes approximately 5 minutes on any platform. Make sure to select @hotmail.com from the dropdown — it defaults to @outlook.com.

Go to outlook.live.com Open your preferred browser — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari — and navigate to outlook.live.com. Click "Create free account" on the sign-in page. Always verify the URL ends in microsoft.com or live.com before entering any personal information.
Choose your @hotmail.com address Type your preferred username in the field. Then click the domain dropdown to the right — it defaults to @outlook.com — and switch it to @hotmail.com. If your preferred name is already taken, Microsoft will show an error. Try a variation with dots, underscores, or numbers. Click Next when you have found an available address.
Create a strong password Enter a password of at least 8 characters — ideally 12 or more. Use a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (for example: Rain@2026!Sky). Confirm your password by typing it again. Click Next.
Enter your first and last name Type the name you want associated with the account. This is your display name — what people see when you send them an email. Use your real name or a professional variation if you plan to use this account for work, banking, or official purposes. Click Next.
Select your country and date of birth Choose your country or region from the dropdown menu. Enter your date of birth using the month, day, and year fields. Microsoft requires users to be at least 13 years old in most countries. Click Next.
Complete the CAPTCHA verification Microsoft will present a visual puzzle — typically a series of images or a slider — to verify you are a real person and not an automated bot. Solve it and click Next.
Opt in or out of promotional emails (optional) Microsoft may ask whether you want to receive news and offers from Microsoft by email. Tick or untick the checkbox based on your preference, then click Next.
Your Hotmail account is ready You are now signed in to your new inbox at outlook.live.com. Your @hotmail.com address is live, active, and ready to receive and send emails. Your account also immediately works for OneDrive, Office Online, Teams, Xbox, and all other Microsoft services.

💡 Important: The domain dropdown defaults to @outlook.com — you must manually switch it to @hotmail.com if that is the address you want. Both work identically, but the domain becomes permanent once you complete signup. Your Hotmail address cannot be changed after account creation.

Download Microsoft Outlook or open Settings Search for Microsoft Outlook on the Google Play Store and install it free. Open the app and tap Create new account. Alternatively, go to your device Settings → Accounts → Add Account → Outlook/Hotmail → Create new account to set it up at the system level.
Choose your @hotmail.com address Enter your preferred username and tap the domain dropdown. Switch it from @outlook.com to @hotmail.com. If your preferred name is taken, try variations with numbers, dots, or initials. Tap Next when you find an available address.
Create a strong password Enter a password of at least 12 characters mixing uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Confirm it and tap Next. Use the eye icon to reveal what you are typing if needed.
Enter your first and last name Type your display name — this is what Gmail and Hotmail recipients see when you send them an email. Tap Next.
Select your country and date of birth Choose your country from the dropdown and enter your date of birth. Tap Next.
Complete verification if prompted Microsoft may send a verification code to a phone number or backup email address you provide. Enter the code to confirm your identity and continue. You may also be asked to solve a CAPTCHA.
Finish setup and access your inbox Tap Done or Next through any remaining optional settings screens. Your @hotmail.com inbox is now set up and syncing on your Android device. Gmail, Drive, Calendar, and Contacts all become available immediately if you set it up via Android Settings.

💡 Pro Tip: Setting up your Hotmail account via Android Settings → Accounts → Add Account automatically syncs your Hotmail inbox, contacts, and Outlook Calendar with your Android device in one step — no additional configuration needed in individual apps.

Download Microsoft Outlook from the App Store Search for Microsoft Outlook in the App Store and install it free — published by Microsoft Corporation, compatible with iOS 16 and later. You can also create your account in Safari by going to outlook.live.com and clicking Create free account.
Open Outlook and tap "Create new account" Launch the Outlook app. On the welcome screen, tap Create new account. Microsoft's account creation flow will open within the app.
Choose your @hotmail.com address Type your preferred username and select @hotmail.com from the domain dropdown — it may default to @outlook.com, so make sure to switch it. Your chosen address becomes your permanent email. Tap Next.
Create a strong password Enter a password of at least 12 characters combining uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Tap Next. When prompted, allow iCloud Keychain to save the password so you do not forget it.
Enter your name, country, and date of birth Fill in your display name, select your country from the dropdown, and enter your date of birth. Tap Next after each screen.
Complete the CAPTCHA or verification code Solve the visual puzzle Microsoft presents. If Microsoft requests additional identity verification via SMS or email code, enter it promptly — codes typically expire within 10 minutes.
Your account is created Your @hotmail.com inbox is now ready and accessible in the Outlook app. To also receive Hotmail in Apple's native Mail app, go to Settings → Mail → Accounts → Add Account → Outlook.com and sign in with your new @hotmail.com address.

💡 Pro Tip: iPhone users get the best Hotmail experience through the Microsoft Outlook app — it supports Focused Inbox (which automatically prioritises important emails), integrated Outlook Calendar, and direct OneDrive file attachments from the compose window without leaving the app.

Choosing Your Hotmail Address — What You Need to Know

Your email address is permanent once created. These tips help you make the right choice from the start.

The username you choose during Hotmail signup becomes a permanent part of your identity. Unlike your display name, which can be updated at any time, the actual @hotmail.com address is fixed the moment you complete account creation. Microsoft does not offer any option to rename or change a primary email address after this point — making it worth spending a few extra minutes thinking before you click Next.

📛

@hotmail.com vs @outlook.com vs @live.com

All three are Microsoft email addresses powered by the same Outlook.com platform with identical storage, features, and Microsoft Account access. The only difference is the domain name. Choose @hotmail.com for the classic brand, @outlook.com for a more modern feel, or @live.com if that is what suits you. There is no functional advantage to any one domain over another.

✅

Keep It Professional

Use your real name or a clean variation — for example, james.white@hotmail.com or j.white1985@hotmail.com. Avoid nicknames, gaming handles, or random words if you plan to use this address for banking, job applications, government services, or anything formal.

🔢

Use Numbers Thoughtfully

If your preferred name is already taken, adding a meaningful number — such as a birth year or short digit — helps. For example, sarah.jones1990 is far more professional than sarahjones5847. Avoid long random strings that look like throwaway spam accounts.

🔁

You Cannot Change It Later

Microsoft does not allow you to rename or change your primary Hotmail address after creation. If you want a different address in the future, you must create an entirely new Microsoft Account. You can add alias addresses via account.microsoft.com → Profile → Email aliases, but the primary address remains fixed.

💼

Consider Separate Accounts

Think about creating one clean address for personal and professional use, and a second for newsletters, online shopping, or app signups. The Microsoft Outlook app lets you manage multiple accounts in a single unified inbox view — easy to switch between without logging in and out.

⚡

Check Availability During Signup

You do not need to search for username availability anywhere separately. Type your preferred username directly in the signup form at outlook.live.com — Microsoft tells you immediately whether the address is available or already taken, and the form will not advance until you choose an available one.

⚠️ Permanent Decision: Your Hotmail address cannot be changed after account creation. Microsoft's policy does not include any option to rename, update, or transfer a primary email address. If you realise later that you want a different address, you will need to create a new Microsoft Account from scratch and manually migrate your contacts and important emails.

What You Get With a Free Hotmail Account

A Hotmail account is a full Microsoft Account — giving you access to far more than just email at no cost.

When you sign up for a @hotmail.com address, Microsoft creates a unified Microsoft Account for you. This single account and the same email and password combination gives you immediate access to every Microsoft product and service without any additional signup process.

📦

15GB Mailbox Storage

15GB of free email storage — more than enough for most personal use. Upgrade to Microsoft 365 for a 50GB mailbox plus 1TB OneDrive storage.

☁️

OneDrive (5GB Free)

5GB of free cloud storage via OneDrive. Store documents, photos, and files and access them from any device. Attach OneDrive files directly to emails without downloading first.

📄

Office Online (Free)

Free browser-based versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote — no software installation required. Create, edit, and share documents from any browser.

🗓️

Outlook Calendar

Full-featured calendar that syncs across all your devices. Create events, set reminders, share calendars with others, and receive meeting invitations directly in your inbox.

💬

Microsoft Teams

Free video calls, voice calls, and instant messaging via Microsoft Teams — sign in directly with your Hotmail credentials. Supports group calls, screen sharing, and file sharing.

🎮

Xbox Live & Skype

Your Microsoft Account works for Xbox Live gaming and Skype calls without any separate signup. Use the same @hotmail.com credentials to access both services immediately.

🔒

Microsoft Authenticator

Free Microsoft Authenticator app for iOS and Android. Provides push-approval 2FA and time-based codes — significantly more secure than SMS verification for protecting your account.

🌐

Microsoft Edge Sync

Sign into Microsoft Edge with your Hotmail credentials to sync bookmarks, passwords, history, and settings across all your devices running Edge browser.

ℹ️ Microsoft 365 Upgrade: For $1.99 per month you get 100GB of OneDrive storage. Full Microsoft 365 Personal — which includes installed desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and 1TB OneDrive — starts at $6.99 per month. These upgrades are optional; the free Hotmail account includes everything listed above at no cost.

Hotmail vs Gmail — 2026 Comparison

Deciding between a Hotmail and Gmail account? Here is a clear side-by-side comparison of the key factors.

Both Hotmail (via Outlook.com) and Gmail are free, reliable, and widely used email services in 2026. The right choice depends primarily on which ecosystem you are already invested in — Microsoft or Google — and what additional services matter most to you.

Feature	Hotmail / Outlook.com	Gmail
Free Mailbox Storage	15GB mailbox	15GB shared (Gmail + Drive + Photos)
Cloud Storage	5GB OneDrive free	15GB shared with Gmail
Office / Productivity Suite	✓ Word, Excel, PowerPoint Online (free)	Google Docs, Sheets, Slides (free)
Spam Filtering	✓ Good	✓ Excellent
Mobile App	✓ Microsoft Outlook (iOS & Android)	✓ Gmail (iOS & Android)
Ecosystem	Microsoft 365, Xbox, Teams, Skype, Edge	Google Drive, YouTube, Maps, Meet, Chrome
Focused Inbox / Smart Filtering	✓ Focused Inbox (built-in)	Smart labels and categories
2-Step Verification	✓ Yes (Authenticator + SMS)	✓ Yes (Authenticator + SMS)
Custom Domain (free)	✗ Paid only	✗ Paid only
Email Aliases	✓ Yes (free via account settings)	Limited via Google Workspace

✅ Which should you choose? If you already use Microsoft products — Windows, Office, Xbox, Teams, or OneDrive — Hotmail integrates seamlessly and adds real value through the unified Microsoft Account. If you are more invested in the Google ecosystem — Android, YouTube, Google Drive, or Google Maps — Gmail is the natural fit. Both are excellent free email services in 2026; the ecosystem matters more than the email service itself.

What to Do After Creating Your Hotmail Account

These seven steps take about 10 minutes total and significantly improve your account security and usability from day one.

1

Enable Two-Step Verification immediately

Go to account.microsoft.com → Security → Advanced security options → Two-step verification and turn it on. Download the Microsoft Authenticator app (iOS or Android) and use it for push-approval verification — it is significantly more secure than SMS codes and works even without a mobile data connection.
2

Add recovery email and phone number

Go to account.microsoft.com → Security → Update your security info. Add both a recovery phone number and a recovery email address that you actively check. Without at least one of these, recovering a locked account is very difficult and may be impossible if you forget your password.
3

Set up the Outlook app on your phone

Download the Microsoft Outlook app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) and sign in with your new @hotmail.com credentials. Enable push notifications so you receive real-time alerts for important emails.
4

Configure Focused Inbox

Outlook's Focused Inbox automatically separates your important emails from newsletters, notifications, and promotional content. Enable it via Settings → Focused Inbox in the Outlook app or web interface. Review the Other tab occasionally to make sure nothing important was misfiled.
5

Create a professional email signature

In Outlook.com, go to Settings → Mail → Compose and reply → Email signature. Add your full name, title or role, and any relevant contact details. A clean email signature makes every email you send look professional and trustworthy from your very first message.
6

Explore OneDrive and Office Online

Your Microsoft Account includes free access to OneDrive (cloud storage) and Office Online (browser-based Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote). Go to onedrive.live.com or office.com and sign in with your @hotmail.com credentials to start using them.
7

Sign in regularly to keep your account active

Microsoft automatically closes Hotmail and Outlook.com accounts that have not been signed into for 2 consecutive years. Once closed, the email address and all data are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. Sign in to your @hotmail.com account at least once every 12 months to keep it active.

Frequently Asked Questions — Hotmail Sign Up

The most commonly asked questions about creating a new Hotmail account in 2026.

Can I still create a @hotmail.com address in 2026?

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Yes. When signing up at outlook.live.com, click the domain dropdown next to the username field and select @hotmail.com. The form defaults to @outlook.com, so you must actively switch it. New @hotmail.com addresses are still available in 2026, though popular and short usernames may already be taken — try variations with numbers, initials, or dots if your first choice is unavailable.

Is creating a Hotmail account free?

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Yes, completely free. You receive a @hotmail.com email address, 15GB of mailbox storage, 5GB of OneDrive cloud storage, and free access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote Online — all at no cost. Optional paid upgrades via Microsoft 365 are available but entirely optional.

What is the difference between @hotmail.com and @outlook.com?

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There is no functional difference between the two. Both @hotmail.com and @outlook.com are Microsoft email addresses powered by the exact same Outlook.com platform. They receive identical storage, features, security options, and Microsoft Account access. The only difference is the domain name that appears in your email address. @hotmail.com is the older, more recognisable brand; @outlook.com is Microsoft's newer domain introduced in 2013.

Do I need a phone number to create a Hotmail account?

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Not always. Microsoft may request a phone number for identity verification during signup, but in many cases you can skip this step or use an existing email address for verification instead. Keep in mind that accounts without a recovery phone number or recovery email are significantly harder to recover if you forget your password or get locked out — so adding at least one recovery method is strongly recommended even if it is not required during signup.

Does creating a Hotmail account give me access to Microsoft services?

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Yes. Your @hotmail.com address is a Microsoft Account, and it gives you immediate access to OneDrive, Office Online (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote), Microsoft Teams, Xbox Live, Skype, Microsoft Edge Sync, and the entire Microsoft ecosystem — all using the same email address and password. You do not need to sign up separately for any of these services.

Can I change my Hotmail address after signing up?

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No. Microsoft does not allow you to change your primary email address after account creation — it is permanent. However, you can add alias email addresses (which deliver to the same inbox) via account.microsoft.com → Profile → Email aliases. You can add up to 10 aliases, including @outlook.com or @hotmail.com addresses. If you want a completely different primary address, you will need to create a new Microsoft Account.

How old do you need to be to create a Hotmail account?

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You must be at least 13 years old to create a standard Hotmail or Outlook.com account in most countries. In some regions the minimum age may be higher due to local laws. Microsoft verifies your age using the date of birth you provide during signup. For children under the minimum age, Microsoft offers Family Safety accounts that parents can manage.

Will my Hotmail account expire if I don't use it?

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Yes. Microsoft automatically closes Hotmail and Outlook.com accounts that have not been signed into for 2 or more consecutive years. Once closed, the email address and all associated emails, contacts, and files are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered by any method. To prevent this, sign in to your @hotmail.com account at least once every 12 months — even just opening it briefly resets the inactivity counter.

Hotmail Sign Up – Create a Free @hotmail.com Account (outlook.live.com)