What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Hotmail has been replaced by Outlook.com, but an old @hotmail.com address can still be used if the Microsoft account is active. Go to Outlook.com or outlook.live.com, select Sign in, and enter the old Hotmail address and its Microsoft account password.
If the address is rejected, the problem may be a forgotten password, a spelling or domain mistake, a disabled alias, inactivity, or a temporary security block. Work through the matching fix below rather than creating a new account immediately.
Sign in to an old Hotmail account in a browser
- Open www.outlook.com.
- Select Sign in.
- Enter your old Hotmail address, including the complete domain, such as
@hotmail.comor@hotmail.co.uk. - Select Next.
- Enter the password used for that Microsoft account, then select Sign in.
Hotmail and Outlook.com use the same Microsoft account credentials. There is no separate “old Hotmail” sign-in page and no different Hotmail password.
Check the address if Microsoft cannot find the account
Account-not-found errors are often caused by a small difference in the sign-in name. Check all of the following:
#1 Best Overall
- The 2024 ERG guide helps satisfy 49 CFR 172.602 DOT requirement. This requirement states that hazmat shipments be accompanied by emergency response info.
- Pocketbook aids in emergency preparedness, planning, and training with ERGs numerically indexed and color-coded to help emergency responders find vital information fast.
- 2024 Updates: The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) released a comprehensive summary of updates. Most significantly a QR code on the back cover that provides access to critical incident reporting information.
- Other changes for 2024 have been made to continue to provide the most accurate emergency response information to help all front-line persons and all first responders stay safe during transportation emergencies.
- Specifications: 4" x 5 1/2" Pocketbook Size, English, Spiralbound. Copyright 2024.
- Spelling before the
@symbol. - The exact domain, such as
hotmail.comrather thanhotmail.co.uk. - Numbers, punctuation, and underscores in the address.
- Whether the account uses an Outlook, Live, or MSN alias instead of the old Hotmail address.
If a phone number or another email alias is attached to the Microsoft account, try that identifier on the sign-in page. An alias uses the same inbox, contacts, settings, and password as the other addresses on the account.
Reset a forgotten Hotmail password
Use Microsoft’s password recovery page if you remember the address but not the password.
- On the Microsoft sign-in page, select Forgot password?
- If that page is no longer open, select Reset password.
- Enter the Hotmail address, phone number, or other account username, then select Next.
- Choose where Microsoft should send the verification code.
- Select Next, enter the requested information, and select Send code.
- Enter the code on the Verify your identity screen and select Next.
- Type the new password in New password, enter it again in Re-enter password, and submit the change.
After the reset, return to Outlook.com and sign in with the old Hotmail address and the new Microsoft account password.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Use Microsoft’s Sign-in Helper when normal recovery fails
For a username, password, or general sign-in failure, open Microsoft’s Recover your account / Sign-in Helper. The form accepts the email address, phone number, or Skype name used to sign in.
Rank #2
- SIMPLE TOOL TO SUPPORT YOUR RECOVERY – This addiction recovery journal is designed to support your recovery journey and is compatible with 12 Steps or any other program. Daily pages help you stay accountable and motivated to keep moving forward.
- DAILY QUESTIONS & WORKBOOK EXERCISES – The addiction journal features two new questions each day to encourage reflection. The addiction workbook at the front includes exercises to help you understand your triggers and develop coping strategies.
- TRACK & CELEBRATE YOUR PROGRESS – Each week of this sobriety guided journal includes a review section to reflect on your progress, address the challenges you’ve faced, and celebrate your milestones and achievements.
- DISCREET COVER & LASTS 6 MONTHS – Measuring 7 by 10 inches, this discreet hardcover journal lasts 6 months. The addiction recovery workbook has thick 120gsm paper, lay-flat binding, a pen loop, an elastic band, and 3 sheets of stickers.
- 60-DAY SATISFACTION GUARANTEE – We will exchange or refund your self help journal for women and men if you aren’t satisfied with aa book cover journal. Reach out to us via message to refund your sobriety journal for women and best sobriety gifts.
This is the correct route for a blocked or unrecognized account. Microsoft support agents cannot send password-reset links or access or change account details on your behalf.
What different Hotmail sign-in errors mean
| Error or symptom | What to do |
|---|---|
| “We couldn’t find an account with that username” | Check the spelling and country-specific domain. Try another alias or phone number connected to the account. |
| Wrong password | Select Forgot password? and complete identity verification. |
| “This username has been turned off for sign-in. Try a different one.” | The particular alias is disabled for sign-in. Use another enabled alias on the same Microsoft account. |
| Sign-in is blocked after using a new device or location | Use the Sign-in Helper. Microsoft may require identity confirmation or a password change. |
| The account has not been used for more than two years | Microsoft says it may have been deleted. A deleted account cannot be restored through recovery. |
Fix “This username has been turned off for sign-in”
This message refers to the specific alias, not necessarily the entire Microsoft account. If another alias is enabled, use it to sign in to the same mailbox.
- Select Forgot your username? on Microsoft’s account-recovery page.
- Enter the blocked Hotmail alias.
- Retrieve the verification code sent to the primary alias.
- Enter the code when prompted.
- Use one of the enabled aliases Microsoft displays to sign in.
Do not remove a Microsoft-domain alias simply to troubleshoot it. Removing an @hotmail.com, @live.com, @outlook.com, or @msn.com alias permanently deletes that alias, and Microsoft says it cannot later be associated with any Microsoft account.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Check whether the Hotmail address is an alias
An old Hotmail address may no longer be the primary username, while remaining attached to the same Microsoft account. To manage the addresses:
- Open your Microsoft account and go to Manage how you sign in to your account.
- Under Account username, review the listed aliases.
- Select Make primary beside an alias if you want it to be the main account address.
- Select Remove only if you are certain you no longer need an alias.
Changing the primary alias does not create a separate inbox. The aliases normally share the same mailbox, contacts, settings, and password.
If the mailbox opens but cannot send or receive mail
Check the storage status. If the Outlook.com mailbox or connected OneDrive storage is full, Microsoft says the account cannot send or receive email. Delete unwanted messages and empty the relevant deleted-items or recycle-bin folders, then allow time for the storage total to update.
If you can sign in but cannot access Outlook functionality, check whether the Microsoft account was created only with a third-party email address or phone number. Microsoft’s current Outlook.com behavior requires adding a first-party alias such as @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @msn.com before Outlook.com inbox access and functionality are available.
Sign in using Outlook for Windows
The browser is the simplest way to test whether the account works. If you are configuring Outlook for Windows and automatic setup fails, create a separate profile manually:
Rank #4
- Remodeler Square 4in White Trim and Specular Silver Cone 12W 2700K LED
- Black cone downlights provide an ultra performance, high-end solution for adding recessed lighting to existing ceilings
- Easy to install
- Provides an ultra performance, high-end solution for adding recessed lighting to existing ceilings
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter the following command, including the space between the two parts, and press Enter:
outlook /profiles - In Choose Profile, select Options, then New.
- Create a profile name.
- Select Advanced options.
- Choose Let me set up my account manually.
- Enter the Hotmail address and password, then select Connect.
If the account also fails in the browser, fix the Microsoft account sign-in problem first. Creating another Outlook profile will not repair a deleted or blocked account.
Sign out after using a shared computer
Since February 2025, Microsoft’s browser sign-in behavior keeps users signed in automatically unless they select Sign out or use private browsing.
- Select your profile picture in Outlook.com.
- Select Sign out.
- Close all browser windows.
If Firefox does not show Sign out in the profile menu, clear Outlook.com cookies and site data and try again. You can also open your Microsoft profile directly at account.microsoft.com/profile.
Can you create or recover an old Hotmail address?
Microsoft does not currently allow users to create a new @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @msn.com alias. Existing Hotmail, Live, Outlook.com, and MSN addresses also cannot be added as aliases to another Microsoft account.
Best Value
- SIMPLE TOOL TO SUPPORT YOUR RECOVERY – This addiction recovery journal is designed to support your recovery journey and is compatible with 12 Steps or any other program. Daily pages help you stay accountable and motivated to keep moving forward.
- DAILY QUESTIONS & WORKBOOK EXERCISES – The addiction journal features two new questions each day to encourage reflection. The addiction workbook at the front includes exercises to help you understand your triggers and develop coping strategies.
- TRACK & CELEBRATE YOUR PROGRESS – Each week of this sobriety guided journal includes a review section to reflect on your progress, address the challenges you’ve faced, and celebrate your milestones and achievements.
- DISCREET COVER & LASTS 6 MONTHS – Measuring 7 by 10 inches, this discreet hardcover journal lasts 6 months. The addiction recovery workbook has thick 120gsm paper, lay-flat binding, a pen loop, an elastic band, and 3 sheets of stickers.
- 60-DAY SATISFACTION GUARANTEE – We will exchange or refund your self help journal for women and men if you aren’t satisfied with aa book cover journal. Reach out to us via message to refund your sobriety journal for women and best sobriety gifts.
If you need a new Hotmail address, Microsoft’s current instruction is to sign out and create a new account. That does not recreate an old address that Microsoft deleted, and it will not restore the old mailbox or its messages.
FAQ
Is Hotmail still available?
Yes. Hotmail is now part of Outlook.com. Sign in at outlook.com or outlook.live.com with the old Hotmail address and its Microsoft account password.
Why does my old Hotmail address say it does not exist?
Check the exact spelling and domain, including country-specific domains such as @hotmail.com and @hotmail.co.uk. The address may also be an alias, so try another alias or phone number linked to the Microsoft account. If the account has not been used for more than two years, Microsoft says it may have been deleted.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsCan Microsoft support recover my Hotmail password for me?
No. Microsoft support agents cannot send password-reset links or access or change account details. Use Forgot password? or Microsoft’s Sign-in Helper instead.
Can I make a new Hotmail address?
Microsoft currently does not allow creation of new @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @msn.com aliases. You can create a new Microsoft account after signing out, but a deleted old Hotmail address cannot be recreated.
Does removing an old Hotmail alias delete the mailbox?
Removing an alias does not necessarily delete the Microsoft account, but removing a Microsoft-domain alias permanently deletes that address. Microsoft says it cannot later be attached to any Microsoft account, so remove it only when you are certain.
The Bottom Line
Start at Outlook.com and sign in with the complete old Hotmail address and Microsoft account password. If that fails, verify the domain, try another alias, reset the password, or use Microsoft’s Sign-in Helper. An account that Microsoft has deleted cannot be recovered, and creating a new account will not bring back its old address or mailbox.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
