Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
When I log on to Hotmail it goes straight to my in box without my having to type in my password. How do I change that so I have to type in my password to stop other people from being able to access my in box.
•
Making sure that Hotmail doesn't automatically log you in is critical if it's possible that someone else might walk up and use your computer while you're not looking.
The great news is that it's trivial.
Step 1? Sign Out.
•
When you're looking at your Hotmail, if you look at the top of the window, you'll see a list of several links, including the .net Sign Out button:
Click on the Sign Out button. It'll log you out, and take you to the MSN home page.
Now, return to Hotmail page, and you'll be required to sign back in:
Don't sign in ... just yet.
Make sure to click Always ask for my e-mail address and password. Now, sign in (in order to make this setting 'stick').
Now sign out again, and you should be good to go.
Article C2613 - April 5, 2006 « »
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.
February 19, 2011 1:19 PM
nothing suggested works for me; cannot prevent automatic sign-in. really a problem. what to do?
March 16, 2011 2:49 AM
First, click on the "sign out" at the top right of the Hotmail page. Then when you try to go back to your email, the sign in page will appear again, with your email and password already there, but instead of clicking "sign in", simply choose the option to "sign in as a different user". Then, type in your own email and password, being sure to NOT check "remember my password". Thereafter, it doesn't remember your password and you have to type it in each time. This worked for me.
March 31, 2011 8:09 AM
I don't know why Leo and other posters have posted solutions that involve signing out, clicking a hotmail link and then altering the settings.......
The *whole* point of this problem is that, AFTER you sign out, clicking ANY hotmail link takes you directly to your INBOX - therefor there is no possibility of altering setting, permissions or anything else....
Especially hard to believe given the double warning from Leo himself in the commenting protocol below.... No wonder MSN treats us as sheep...
Anyway - the control panel solution posted previously looks like it may work on a pc - I have a Mac.
What DID work on a Mac was to Reset Safari.
This does mean losing all your browsing history, cookies, saved passwords, autofills, etc - but for solving such a major issue that was a small price to pay, for me.
Go to Safari - Reset Safari - be sure to check the box that says 'remove saved names and passwords' - click 'Reset'.
This took me back to square one with hotmail - finally............!! :-/
June 14, 2011 4:08 PM
I tried to go through these steps. Unfortunately, there is no option of
"Always ask for my e-mail address and password".
January 2, 2013 4:44 PM
This fix doesn't work in IE 10.