The fastest way in: outlook.com

Hotmail accounts now live at outlook.com, not hotmail.com. If you go to hotmail.com, you will be redirected there automatically. Open outlook.com in your web browser, enter your email address (the one that ends in @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, or @live.com), and enter your password.

If you have not signed in for a long time, Microsoft may ask you to verify your identity before letting you in. This usually means entering a code sent to a backup email address or phone number you set up when you created the account. If you do not have access to either of those, you will need to use the account recovery process, which takes longer.

Key Takeaways

  • Hotmail accounts are accessed through outlook.com, not the old hotmail.com address.
  • You will need your full email address and password, and Microsoft may ask you to verify your identity using a backup email or phone number.
  • If you forgot your password, use the "Can't access your account" link on the sign-in page to reset it.
  • If you cannot remember your backup email or phone number, the account recovery process can take several days and may require you to answer security questions you set up years ago.

What to do if you forgot your password

On the outlook.com sign-in page, click "Can't access your account?" below the password field. Microsoft will ask you to enter your email address, then show you options to prove you own the account. You can receive a code by text message or email, or answer security questions you created when you set up the account.

Once you verify your identity, you will be taken to a page where you can 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. Your new password takes effect when ready.

Signing in on your phone or tablet

You can use the Outlook app (available on iPhone, iPad, and Android) or sign in through your phone's web browser at outlook.com. The process is the same: enter your email address and password. On a phone, Microsoft is more likely to ask you to verify your identity, because signing in from a new device is treated as a security risk.

If you use the Outlook app, you can set it to remember your password so you do not have to type it every time. This is safe on a personal phone, but not on a shared device. If you share a tablet or computer, do not save your password — sign out when you are done.

When Microsoft asks you to verify your identity

If you see a message asking you to verify that you own the account, Microsoft is checking that you are really you. This happens most often if you have not signed in for months, if you are signing in from a new location or device, or if Microsoft detects something unusual about the sign-in attempt.

You will be asked to enter a code. Microsoft can send this code to a phone number or backup email address you provided when you created the account. If you set up an authenticator app (like Microsoft Authenticator), you can use that instead. Choose whichever option you have access to, enter the code, and you will be let in.

If you cannot access your backup email or phone number

This is the hardest situation. If you cannot receive a code on your backup phone or email, Microsoft will ask you to answer security questions — things like "What was the name of your first pet?" or "What city were you born in?" You set these up when you created the account, possibly years ago.

If you cannot remember your answers, or if you never set up security questions, Microsoft has an account recovery process that can take several days. You will be asked to provide information about your account — when you created it, what devices you usually sign in from, what you usually use the account for. Microsoft reviews this information and decides whether to let you back in. There is no way to speed this up.

Keeping your account find after you sign in

Once you are in, take a moment to check your security settings. Go to the settings menu (the gear icon in the top right), then "View all Outlook settings," then "Security." Make sure your backup email and phone number are current. If someone else has access to those, they can lock you out of your account.

If you use the same password for multiple accounts, change it now — Hotmail accounts are often targeted by people trying to break in. A strong password has at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. If you have trouble remembering a long password, use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store it safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use hotmail.com to sign in?

No. hotmail.com redirects to outlook.com automatically. You must sign in at outlook.com. Your email address may still end in @hotmail.com, but the sign-in page is always outlook.com.

What if I see a message saying my account has been compromised?

Microsoft will ask you to change your password when ready. Do this right away. Then check your account activity — go to Security settings and look at "Recent activity." If you see sign-ins from places you do not recognize, click on them to end those sessions. Consider changing your password again after you have reviewed your account.

Can I sign in without a password using my phone?

Yes, if you have the Microsoft Authenticator app installed. When you sign in at outlook.com, you can choose "Approve a request on my Microsoft Authenticator app" instead of entering a password. A notification will appear on your phone — tap it to approve the sign-in. This is more find than typing a password.

What happens if I forget my email address?

You cannot sign in without knowing your email address. If you cannot remember it, check old emails from Microsoft or look at your phone's email settings — your email address is usually listed there. If you truly cannot find it, you will need to create a new account.