How to Reset Your Hotmail Password Quickly and Safely

If you’ve been using Hotmail for years (or even decades), you aren’t alone. Millions of people still log in with their @hotmail.com addresses, even though Microsoft officially replaced Hotmail with Outlook in 2013. 

Whether you’re a busy professional, young adult juggling work & school, or senior staying in touch with loved ones, you’ll find straight answers to your Hotmail questions below. 

Answers to top Hotmail questions users are asking right now 

Is Hotmail still around? 

Yes, Hotmail is still around. 

In 2013, Microsoft migrated Hotmail to Outlook. As a result, existing Hotmail accounts became part of Outlook.  

How did Hotmail become Outlook? 

Hotmail was the brainchild of hardware engineer Sameer Bhatia and his Apple colleague Jack Smith.  

Bhatia and Smith pitched their idea of HoTMaiL (a name inspired by HTML) to 19 venture capitalists before Draper Fisher Ventures signed up to invest $300,000.  

With the investment, Hotmail went live on July 4, 1996. It was the first free email service in the world.  

Just 18 months after its launch, Microsoft bought Hotmail for $400 million in stock and in 1997, rebranded it as MSN Hotmail. In 2005, Hotmail became part of the Windows Live suite.  

Microsoft began migrating users from Hotmail to Outlook in 2012, allowing them to keep their original @hotmail.com addresses. By 2013, the transition was complete, marking the end of Hotmail as a standalone brand. 

Can I get a second Hotmail address? 

As a legacy Hotmail user, your email address, contacts, and messages likely stayed with you during the transition to Outlook.  

That said, if you’d like to have a second Hotmail address, you’ll need to create a new Outlook account. During the sign-up process, you can indicate whether you’d like your email address to end with @outlook.com or @hotmail.com. 

Remember: Existing Hotmail addresses can’t be added as aliases in Outlook.  

Is my Hotmail password the same as my Microsoft password? 

Yes, if you have Hotmail or Outlook, your password is the same as your Microsoft password.  

How can I access an old Hotmail account? 

If you still remember your old Hotmail address, you’re halfway there. 

First, go to the Outlook login page or www.outlook.com. If you’ve forgotten your password, click “Forgot password?” and follow the prompts to reset your password.  

Can’t reset your Hotmail password? Try the Microsoft account sign-in helper. Microsoft will ask for the email address or mobile phone number you’re trying to sign in with.  

Forgot your username? Microsoft can help you recover it if you provide either the email or mobile phone number associated with your Hotmail account.  

Important:

If you haven’t logged in for over a year, recovery options are limited. If it’s been over two (2) years, your account has likely been deleted and is no longer recoverable. If you previously enabled two-step verification and can’t access any of your recovery methods to get a verification code, you’ll have to start over and create a new account. Here’s why: Microsoft support agents can’t send password reset links or access your account details. If you don’t have two-step verification turned on and don’t recognize any of the verification email or phone options, use the Sign-in Helper tool.

Why is my Hotmail not working? 

Here are five (5) common reasons you may be having difficulty accessing your Hotmail account: 

• Incorrectly typed password. Were you in a hurry when you entered your username and password? If so, double-check for possible typos. But if you’re sure your credentials are correct or your login credentials no longer work, fill out Microsoft’s account recovery form.  

Note that Microsoft will ask questions about your contacts and email subject lines. Try to provide as much information as you can to increase the chances of recovering your account.  

• Account lockout. Did you sign in from a different device or unintentionally violate any part of the Microsoft services agreement? If so, this can trigger a security lockout. 

• Syncing issues. Sometimes, Hotmail accounts experience syncing issues with Outlook. If this occurs, restarting your device may clear temporary glitches that affect syncing.  

You can also try repairing your profile in Outlook, clearing your Outlook cache, installing the latest version of Outlook (if you haven’t already), and manually setting your folders to sync in Outlook.  

• Outdated recovery info. If your phone or backup email is no longer accessible, you may have difficulty signing in to your Hotmail account. 

• The Outlook platform is down. To check service availability, head to the Microsoft service health status page. 

How can I change or reset my password in Hotmail? 

Here’s how to change your password (if you know your current password): 

1. Go to account. microsoft.com 
2. Sign in with your Hotmail address. 
3. Click “Password security.” 
4. You may be prompted to verify your identity with a security code. You can choose to receive the code by email or phone.  
5. Next, you'll be asked to verify your email address or the last four digits of your phone number. When you receive the code, enter it and select “Submit.” 
6. Finally, enter your current password, your new password, and then select “Save.” 

Here’s how to reset your password (if you’ve forgotten your current password): 

1. First, head to the Microsoft password reset page or https://account.live.com/password/reset 
2. Enter your email address or phone number. 
3. Depending on your choice, you’ll either receive your security code via text or email. 
4. If you chose email, go to your inbox and look for an email from the Microsoft account team. Enter the code you see on the reset page. 
5. Once verified, create a new password and type it in twice to complete the reset process. Note: Be sure to follow the prompts carefully along the way. 

How can I unblock my Hotmail account?  

If you’re wondering how to unlock your Hotmail account, the fastest way is to: 

• Go to the Microsoft sign-in page. You can use any phone number to request a sign-in code. 

• The phone number doesn't need to be associated with your account or connected to the internet. However, it must be able to receive text messages. 

• You may have to reset your password to regain access. 

• If you get a "That Microsoft account doesn't exist" error message, use the Microsoft account sign-in helper. 

• If you no longer have access to your recovery methods, use Microsoft’s account recovery form.  

• If all else fails, contact Microsoft using the company's official contact numbers. 

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