Outlook is now the official email client of Microsoft, but some users still need to access their old Hotmail accounts. This could be because they receive account recovery information from other platforms to their Hotmail addresses.
While we recommend switching to Gmail or Outlook as your primary email provider, there may be important messages in your Hotmail inbox. In this guide, we will show you how to access and back up your Hotmail account. So, stay tuned as we get started!
What Happens to Old Hotmail Accounts?
Old Hotmail accounts date back many years, and if you have an account that is 10 years old, there is a chance it has been deleted. Microsoft’s terms and conditions state that if an account remains inactive for 5 years continuously, it will be automatically deleted. Hence, this could result in an unrecoverable old Hotmail account.
Accessing Your Old Hotmail Account from Microsoft’s Recovery Page
Microsoft has already migrated Hotmail accounts to Outlook.com. To access your old mailbox and contacts, you need to recover your account. However, this method only works if you have enabled two-step verification. If you have disabled this option, you won’t be able to recover your Hotmail account.
To use this solution, you need an email address that you can access. It doesn’t have to be your personal email account; any email account will do.
- Go to Microsoft’s recovery page and enter the Hotmail address you want to recover
- Enter an email address that Microsoft can use to contact you.
- Confirm your contact email address, check the security code, and follow the on-screen steps to complete the process.
- Microsoft should respond to you within 24 hours.
Accessing Your Old Hotmail Account from Outlook
Microsoft Outlook, despite a few glitches, supports all email clients, including Hotmail. You can use Outlook for Windows to access your Hotmail account by following these steps:
- Open Outlook on Windows and click on the File option in the top-right corner.
- Select Add Account under the info menu.
- Enter your old Hotmail sign-in email address and password.
- After successful authentication, you will see your Hotmail account appear on the left sidebar.
Accessing Your Old Hotmail Account from Gmail
Gmail is the most popular email provider and supports all non-Gmail providers, including Yahoo, Outlook, and AOL. Here’s how you can integrate your Hotmail account into Gmail and access your essential messages:
- Sign in to your Gmail account online using your Google account details.
- Click on the Settings gear and open See all settings.
- Go to the Accounts and Import tab.
- Click on Import from another address and enter your Hotmail email.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Hotmail setup on Gmail web. This will download your Hotmail emails and allow you to check them from the home menu.
Final Words
There you have it on how to access old Hotmail accounts. By following the recommended solutions above, you should be able to recover your old Hotmail account. Ensure you follow the steps appropriately, and you’ll be good to go.
FAQs
Can I still access my old Hotmail account?
To access your old Hotmail account, visit account.live.com/acsr. Enter the email address Microsoft will use to contact you and confirm your contact email address. After checking the security code, follow the screen prompt to complete the process and wait for Microsoft to get back to you. They typically reply in 24 hours or less.
Does Hotmail still work in 2024?
Yes, you can still use your Hotmail account in 2024. However, the Hotmail website has been replaced with Outlook, and new features added. Outlook is now Microsoft’s primary email service.
