Hotmail Login - Hotmail Sign in at Hotmail.com (www.hotmail.com)
For a quick Hotmail login in 2026, open www.outlook.com (Microsoft now powers Hotmail.com sign in), click Sign in, type your full @hotmail.com address, enter your password and click Sign In. If two-step verification is on, enter the 6-digit code sent to your phone or authenticator app to finish your Hotmail sign in.
What Is Hotmail? (Hotmail.com Login Intro)
Hotmail is one of the world's first web-based email services and played a key role in making email accessible to everyone. The Hotmail.com login page — whether you reach it through www.hotmail.com or the newer www.outlook.com — is the gateway to one of the longest-running free email services, now powered by Microsoft.
It was founded in 1996 by Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith in California, USA. The original name was HoTMaiL, a stylization that highlighted its connection to HTML and the web. In 1997, Hotmail was acquired by Microsoft for around $400 million and was later rebranded as MSN Hotmail. In 2013, Microsoft folded Hotmail into its growing ecosystem of services, including Windows Live and Outlook.com.
Because Hotmail is an older brand, plenty of users no longer remember exactly where to do a Hotmail sign in or what URL still works. If you want to know how to do a clean Hotmail login in 2026, this guide is for you. By the end of this article, you'll know everything you need to sign in to hotmail.com on every device, recover a lost password and fix every common login issue.
Do Hotmail Accounts Still Work in 2026?
Microsoft transitioned Hotmail to Outlook in 2013. After that, brand-new email addresses were no longer issued as "example@hotmail.com." Instead, new sign-ups got "example@outlook.com" addresses.
That transition raises a fair question: do Hotmail accounts still work? Before Microsoft made the change, Hotmail was the most popular email service in the world. Millions of users relied on the Hotmail login every single day, so Microsoft chose not to scrap the existing structure.
While new accounts can't be created with the Hotmail name anymore, existing @hotmail.com email addresses are still 100% valid. Microsoft simply unified Outlook and Hotmail under one platform — the back-end is the same, only the brand on the front door has changed.
So if you created your address with Hotmail back in the day, the address still works. All older accounts continue to be supported by Microsoft, and you can do a normal Hotmail sign in through Outlook with no extra setup.
Hotmail Login Process on a Laptop or PC
People often think that signing in to Hotmail is complicated. It isn't. The Hotmail.com login process is short and identical on Windows, macOS and Linux. The following seven steps walk you through a full Hotmail login on any desktop browser.
Open your web browser. Use Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari on your laptop or PC.
Go to www.outlook.com. Since Microsoft has transitioned Hotmail to Outlook, this is where you sign in to your old Hotmail account. Typing www.hotmail.com works too — it simply redirects to the same Hotmail.com login screen.
Click "Sign in". On the homepage, find the Sign in option on the top right of the screen and click on it.
Enter your Hotmail email address. Type your full @hotmail.com email address and click Next.
Enter your password. Carefully type your password. Double-check for typing errors, especially if Caps Lock is on, then click Sign In.
Complete two-step verification (if enabled). You may be asked to enter a code sent to your phone or recovery email to confirm it is really you.
Access your Hotmail inbox. You are now inside your Hotmail email account and can read, send and manage messages just like before.
How to Log In to Hotmail on Android or iOS Mobile
You can also access your Hotmail login on mobile phones. The easiest way is to use the Outlook mobile app. This method is much more convenient because it keeps your Hotmail account signed in across your phone and pushes new emails to you in real time.
You won't have to sign in again and again on the browser by using this login technique. Here is a brief 7-step process you can use for the Hotmail.com sign in on mobile.
Open your app store. Open the Google Play Store on your Android phone, or the Apple App Store on iPhone or iPad.
Search for Outlook. Search and download the Microsoft Outlook app.
Install the app. Give the necessary permissions to install and run the app on your device.
Tap "Add Account". Open the app and tap "Add Account" to start the Hotmail sign in process.
Enter your Hotmail email address. Type your full @hotmail.com email address and tap Continue.
Type your password and sign in. Tap Sign in once your password is correctly entered.
Complete verification. Approve the verification step if required, and your Hotmail inbox will load.
How to Recover a Forgotten Hotmail Password
Hotmail is an old email service, and forgetting the password is very common. If you are one of them, don't worry. Here is a quick process to recover your forgotten Hotmail login password and get back into hotmail.com in minutes.
Visit www.outlook.com and click Sign in.
Enter your Hotmail email address and click Next.
Select "Forgot password?" on the password screen to begin the recovery process.
Choose a verification method. Microsoft will ask you to confirm your identity through one of the following options:
- A recovery email address
- A linked phone number (SMS)
- An authentication app (if enabled)
Enter the verification code you received to proceed.
Set a new password. Once verified, choose a strong password that includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
What If You Can't Access Recovery Options?
Since Hotmail was an old email service, it is also possible that you no longer have the recovery email address or phone number you once entered. In that case you can still recover your Hotmail sign in through a different route.
At step 4 above, select the "Other options" button. This tells Microsoft you no longer have access to your recovery options. Microsoft will then ask security questions for recovery. You may also be asked to fill out the Microsoft Account Recovery Form, where you provide as much detail as possible about your account history. A response to this form may take a few days.
Hotmail Email Clients (Beyond the Browser)
Hotmail — now Outlook.com — can be accessed through multiple email clients. That gives you flexibility in how you manage your messages. An email client is software or an app that lets you send, receive and organize emails from your Hotmail account without having to log in via a web browser every time.
Desktop Email Clients
Hotmail can be connected to desktop clients such as:
- Microsoft Outlook (the full desktop application)
- Mozilla Thunderbird
- Windows Mail
Mobile Email Clients
Hotmail is compatible with mobile email clients including:
- Outlook App (iOS & Android)
- Native Mail apps on iPhone, iPad or Android devices
Access Options
- IMAP and POP3 protocols
- Exchange ActiveSync
Benefits of Using an Email Client for Hotmail
- Offline access to your emails
- Centralized management of multiple accounts
- Enhanced organization with folders and categories
- Faster email search and message management
Common Hotmail Login Problems — And How to Fix Them
Even though Microsoft has kept the Hotmail login process really simple, users do run into a handful of recurring issues. Here are the most common ones and their quick fixes.
Incorrect Password
One of the most common issues is entering the wrong password. Double-check for typing errors and make sure Caps Lock is turned off. If you're unsure, use the password reset option to create a new one and try the Hotmail.com sign in again.
Account Locked Due to Suspicious Activity
Microsoft may temporarily lock your account if unusual activity is detected. In this case, follow the on-screen verification steps to confirm your identity. Once verified, you will be redirected back to your Hotmail account.
Problems With the Browser
Sometimes login problems occur due to an outdated browser, cached data or stale cookies. The Hotmail login page keeps loading without any output.
Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again. If that doesn't help, update your browser or try a different one (Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari). If the issue was with your browser, your Hotmail sign in will go through cleanly.
Two-Step Verification Problems
If you are not receiving your verification code, check your phone signal, your spam folder or your authentication app. Make sure your recovery information is up to date and that your device clock is set to automatic time.
Server or Connectivity Issues
If the website is not loading or buffering, check your internet connection first or try again later. You can also visit the Microsoft Outlook support page to see whether there's an active service incident affecting hotmail.com.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Hotmail the same as Outlook?
Yes. Hotmail was rebranded and upgraded by Microsoft in 2013 and is now part of Outlook. You can still use your @hotmail.com email address, but you must log in through Outlook's website (www.outlook.com) or the Outlook app.
Where do I do a Hotmail login in 2026?
The official Hotmail login page is www.outlook.com. Microsoft redirects www.hotmail.com to the same Outlook sign in screen, so both URLs lead to the same Hotmail.com login page.
Why can't I log in to my Hotmail account?
Hotmail login issues usually occur due to incorrect passwords, expired sessions, account security locks or browser problems. Double-check your credentials, clear your browser cache and try resetting your password if needed.
Is Hotmail no longer available?
No, existing Hotmail accounts are still active. While new accounts are created under Outlook.com, older @hotmail.com addresses still work normally for Hotmail sign in.
How do I unlock a locked Hotmail account?
If your account is locked due to suspicious activity, follow the identity verification steps on the sign-in page. You will need to enter a security code sent to your recovery email or phone number to complete the Hotmail login.
How do I recover a forgotten Hotmail password?
Visit www.outlook.com, click Sign in, enter your @hotmail.com address and click Next. On the password screen, select "Forgot password?" and follow the verification steps via email, SMS or the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Can I access my old emails after a Hotmail sign in?
Yes, once successfully logged in, all your previous emails, contacts and folders will remain available in your Hotmail inbox inside Outlook.
Conclusion
The official Hotmail login page lives at www.outlook.com, and www.hotmail.com redirects to the same Hotmail.com sign in screen. Older @hotmail.com addresses still work, all your old mail is still there, and the sign-in process is essentially identical on desktop and mobile. Keep two-step verification on, only sign in from URLs that end in outlook.com, and your Hotmail account will stay safe for years to come.