Outlook.com Email FAQ

I have composed a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) for the new Outlook.com email service. If you are confused on how to use Outlook.com or like to learn some of the new features in Outlook.com, read this FAQ.

Q. What is Outlook.com?

Outlook.com is the new email website from Microsoft and is the successor of Hotmail.com. It provides a modern, cool and better user interface for accessing your Hotmail, MSN and Outlook emails.

Q. What is Outlook.com email address?

Outlook.com is not just a new website, but offers you a new email address as well. You can now register for emails with the domain @Outlook.com.

Q. Can I still create new @hotmail.com email ids?

Microsoft is moving to @Outlook.com email ids. You can no longer create a new Hotmail or MSN email ids. However, you can still create Hotmail aliases for your existing emails.

Q. Can I continue to use my Hotmail id?

Yes, you can continue to use your old ids.

Q. Can I convert my hotmail address to Outlook.com address?

There is no real conversion available, however, you can go through an upgrade process which will create a new Outlook.com address for you and convert your Hotmail address to an alias.

Q. I upgraded my Hotmail id to an Outlook.com id. Can I go back to hotmail id?

A. Yes, there is a way. Read this to find how to switch back to Hotmail after upgrading to Outlook id

Q: Can I rename the upgraded Outlook.com address to my old MSN address?

A: You cannot. A Microsoft rep has stated that due to the age of the domain, renaming from MSN id to Outlook.com id is permanent and cannot go back.

Outlook.com Aliases

Q. How to create an alias for my email account?

A. Follow the instructions here to create an email alias in your Outlook.com account.

Q. How to remove an alias from my email account?

A. Follow the instructions here to delete an email alias from your Microsoft account.

Q. Is there any limits on how many aliases I can create?

A. Yes, you can create a maximum of 5 aliases per account per year. Also, the total aliases you can have for any account is 15.

Q. Can I delete an alias and create another one?

A. Yes, you can, as long as you are within your annual limits. Deleted aliases will be counted for your annual limits. If you have created 4 aliases this year, you can create only 1 more even if you delete the existing aliases.

Q. Can I rename an alias?

A. No, the only option is delete and create new one, provided you are within the limits.

Q. Can I remove an alias from one Microsoft account and add it to another Microsoft account?

A. When you remove an alias from any account, it will be locked for 30 days. After 30 days, it will be released for anyone's use. You could grab it before others and add it to another account after the 30 day period.

Q. I accidentally removed an alias from my Outlook.com account. Can I get it back?

A. Yes, if you removed an alias, you can add it back anytime until it is released (within 30 days).