Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Making a new Windows Live Hotmail account begins by making the option visible - by signing out of Hotmail. From there making a new account is easy.
How do I make a new Windows Live Hotmail account? Since MSN Hotmail changed to Windows Live Hotmail, everything's different.
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This continues to be one of my most frequently asked questions.
Many people think it's obvious, but as I said in a previous article, if hundreds of people miss "the obvious" - is it really that obvious?
And there are also a few "catches".
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So the part that's "obvious" to some and not at all to many is simply this:
Sign Out.
Most folks may never see the login screen after signing in once because they've got "remember me" turned on.
So sign out. Near the top of the Windows Live Hotmail windows you should see something like this:
Click Sign out link and you'll be signed out of Windows Live Hotmail and returned to the MSN home page.
Now, go to http://mail.live.com, (or click on MSN's "Hotmail" link) and you'll see a page that contains this:
Don't Sign in.
Instead, click on the Sign Up button and you'll start the process of creating a new account.
Now, the "catches". You should realize:
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You cannot make a new "old-style" MSN Hotmail account. You can now only create new, Windows Live Hotmail accounts. The old MSN Hotmail is disappearing if it's not completely gone already by the time you read this.
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There's no way to transfer existing information from your old account to your new one.
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There's no way to "rename" an existing account.
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Windows Live Hotmail is a free service, and as I've said repeatedly, you get what you pay for. Reports on Customer Service have been mixed. It's best to assume that customer service is non-existent should you run into a problem.
Article C3229 - December 6, 2007 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
July 23, 2010 10:42 AM
hello there,
i m zia frm bangladesh. when i try to reset my hotmail account this message is shown - an error occurred when upload ur information please signin in again. i tried to signin almost 100 times in last 7 days. important, personal mails r there. what will i do??? thnx.
October 28, 2010 11:57 AM
hi,
i have a new HTC windows mobile phone, and when i try to sign into the phone with my hotmail email account to access the windows live services on the phone, it asks for an activation code. I have asked Windows live and Vodafone, who both claim to not be able to help. Its getting really frustrating now, can you help please?
April 7, 2011 6:23 AM
I need to update a Microsoft product, and to do so Microsoft requires a Windows Live ID, or hotmail account, or passport id. They all use the same account creation module. I have the same issues listed above. My 1st attempt says I've reached my daily limit of accounts, so I can't create the account. Also, the captcha human verification won't work on my Vista machine, but does work on my Windows 7 computer. I've spent two days to upgrade a business product that I need and I've had absolutely zero Microsoft support. Their help system guides you to their sign-in problem forum which requires you to sign-in to ask a question. What idiot thought up that logic? It appears my high-speed Comcast is being blocked by Microsoft who has not provided any specific information. Meanwhile I can't get my work done. Just one more reason to move to Unix.
April 29, 2011 8:48 PM
okay so im trying to create a new account O_O but no matter what email address i type it, its rejecting it and saying i must change it and use a different one, i already typed in over 15 diff names. stuff like punk_1 peace_it all with the "@hotmail.com" at the end. ughh what to do now?! it wont accept it -.-
01-May-2011
April 29, 2011 11:06 PM
Tahirih, you have to keep trying till you come up with a name that nobody is using.