Hotmail, we solve all your doubts about changing from Hotmail to Outlook

Outlook.com

Hotmail is history. Microsoft has decided to completely revamp its free mail service and make it Outlook.com . The change has occurred suddenly, without the company managers having notified users of the renewal. For this reason, many doubts have been raised about various aspects of Outlook.com , such as the future of the messages and contacts that we have in Hotmail.com or the path to reach our emails. We solve these doubts for you through this article.

What will happen to my address …@hotmail.com?

At first, users will keep their Hotmail address . Despite the change, we can continue to receive and send emails through this address. Although Microsoft has not clarified this point, in principle all users will end up migrating in a staggered manner to the Outlook.com address. In any case, all emails sent to the old address will be automatically redirected to the new address.

Outlook.com

How can I enter my email?

The new email access address will be through Outlook.com . In the entry screen we will enter our data in the normal way (email address and password). However , all users who access the hotmail.com address will automatically access the new site. The same happens if we access through the Windows Live page .

Will I lose all my messages and contacts?

No. All the messages we had in Hotmail are transferred directly to the Outlook.com account . If you have already accessed the new page, you will see that the way messages are handled is very similar to that of Hotmail. On the other hand, all the contacts we had in Hotmail are also kept (also those that we have added from social networks). Of course, the management of contacts acquires a renewed and more attractive design, similar to the one found in Windows 8 . To access them, just click on the upper left bar of Outlook and then click on "Contacts".

Will I be able to continue checking my email from my mobile?

In principle, there will be no problem to continue using the Hotmail application on Android, iOS or Windows Phone itself. It is likely that over the weeks Microsoft will update its mail apps for various mobile platforms with a design closer to the concept of Outlook.

Outlook.com

How to create an Outlook.com alias?

For those users who want to start using the Outlook alias , it can be done by going to the configuration of our email account. To do this, we tighten the nut in the upper toolbar and then "More mail configuration options". Then "Create an Outlook alias." We enter the new address and finally configure how we want to receive the mail. Of course, even if a new aiias is created to access Outlook.com, you must continue using the access data of your original address .

Will the space available for my emails change?

No, the space will continue to be practically unlimited , there will be no changes in that aspect.

How to access the rest of Microsoft services such as the calendar or SkyDrive?

Access to the calendar or Microsoft's network storage service is done with the same data from our email account.

Outlook.com

If I don't like the new interface, can I go back to Hotmail?

Yes . At least temporarily, Microsoft offers the option to reuse the old Hotmail interface for users who do not like the new Outlook interface . To do this, you have to go to the configuration button (the nut that appears at the top of the screen) and then choose the option "Back to Hotmail" . The user can return to Outlook at any time by making the same move.

How can I post messages on Facebook or Twitter?

Outlook tries to offer a user experience similar to what can be achieved with the Windows 8 Contacts application . However, it is still somewhat more limited and we have not found a way to directly post status updates to Facebook or Twitter. What is possible is to write on the Facebook wall of a contact or send a tweet to their Twitter account. To do this, go to the Contacts tab and then choose one of the contacts that have Facebook or Twitter (do not forget to synchronize these networks with the Microsoft account). The first two options that appear on the right will be to post a message on the Facebook wall or on the Twitter account.

Do I have to enter Messenger with the new Outlook data?

No , the entry to the instant messaging application continues to be made with the data of our original account. Anyway, keep in mind that Microsoft is starting a process to integrate Messenger into Skype.

What do I do if it appears when trying to send a message through Messenger “you cannot send a message to a friend who is blocked in messenger”?

This problem has been repeated several times during the comments that have reached us. We have dived in the network and one of the solutions that are offered and that has also been written in the comments to this article is to change a feature within the configuration of our profile. To do this, we access the profile information (click on our name in the upper right part and then “Modify profile.” Again, under contact information, click on Modify.” We click on “All friends on Messenger / Some friends on Messenger ” and then on “ limited access. ” From there we can manage the contacts that are blocked.

Through this option you can also manage the contacts you want to block.

Can I see my contacts' friends on Facebook within Outlook.com?

No . For now, Microsoft has disabled that option.

In short, the main change in Outlook.com is in the design of the page, since the Hotmail.com base is still used and the services that have been added over recent times, such as the integration with social media. Some of the more exciting changes will take place in the coming weeks (notably the ability to make Skype calls from email). We hope we have answered any questions that may arise about this service. If you think there is one left, we invite you to write a comment to try to resolve the question.