Outlook vs Hotmail: Unveiling the Differences in 2023
Key takeaways :
- Outlook.com uses @outlook.com for new users, while Hotmail uses @hotmail.com for legacy users, but both domains are now interchangeable on the same email system.
- Outlook is a vastly superior platform compared to Hotmail, with a modern design, better security features such as S/MIME and SSL/TLS version 1.2 encryption protocols, and a wider range of features.
- To switch from Hotmail to Outlook, users can simply go to the Outlook sign-in page, enter their @hotmail.com email address, and follow the prompts to sign in and change their email address if desired.
- Outlook.com is a separate web-based email service and is not related to the email programs Microsoft Office Outlook or Windows Outlook, which are installed on a PC.
- While Outlook incorporates some convenient features from Hotmail, it also offers additional apps and tools for personal and work duties, making it a more comprehensive platform.
- Back in the day, Hotmail.com was the web interface for the Hotmail email service, but now, the distinction between Hotmail and Outlook is more complex, with Outlook being the preferred choice due to its advanced features and security.
Key Features of Outlook vs Hotmail
Now that we’ve established what Outlook and Hotmail are in 2023, let’s directly compare their key features and capabilities as online email services:
Email Domains
Outlook.com – @outlook.com for new users
Hotmail – @hotmail.com for legacy users
As mentioned earlier, these two domains are interchangeable on the same email system now. You can sign in with a @hotmail.com address on Outlook.com. But only @outlook.com addresses can be newly created.
The only difference now is that your Hotmail account runs through Outlook, which is a vastly superior platform. Outlook not only looks better with its flat, modern design but is also way more secure. Outlook supports S/MIME and SSL/TLS version 1.2 as Encryption Protocols, whereas the old Hotmail platform only supported SSL. Outlook also has way more features than Hotmail, and it runs a lot faster too.
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How to Switch from Hotmail to Outlook
- Go to the Outlook sign-in page.
- Enter your email address that ends in @hotmail.com.
- Click “Next”.
- Enter your account password.
- Click “Sign in”.
If you want to change your email address from Hotmail.com to Outlook.com, you can do so in your email’s settings after you sign in. Outlook has some of the same convenient features as Hotmail while incorporating more apps and tools that you can use for your personal and work duties.
As you can see, Outlook.com doesn’t relate to Outlook other than having a similar appearance to Windows Outlook. Microsoft Office Outlook and Windows Outlook are email programs you install on your PC; Outlook.com is a website you visit in your browser to access email.
Hotmail vs. Outlook: Microsoft’s Web Email Clients
Back in the day, the Hotmail.com website was the web interface for the Hotmail email service. There was no brand mismatch; the services were one and the same. Things just aren’t that simple anymore. Here’s a list of all the Outlook services and tools out there today:
- Outlook.com.
- Outlook Lite.
- Outlook Calendar.
- Outlook Tasks.
- Outlook Mail.
- Outlook People.
- One Outlook.
Evidently, it’s easy to get your wires crossed here.
Short Answer
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No, Microsoft Outlook and Hotmail are not the same. Microsoft Outlook is an email client and personal information manager that is included in Microsoft Office Suite, whereas Hotmail is a free web-based email service offered by Microsoft. Hotmail can be accessed through Microsoft Outlook, but Outlook is not used to access Hotmail.
History of Hotmail and Outlook
Hotmail was the first web-based email service created by Microsoft and was launched in 1996. Hotmail was the first email service to offer free email accounts and quickly became one of the most popular email services in the world.
Hotmail isn’t an active email service anymore, but @hotmail.com email addresses are still functioning.
Platform to Run
Outlook is an email program that you can use on both Windows and Mac computers. On the other hand, Hotmail or Outlook.com is an online email service that you can use on any device with a web browser or the Outlook mobile app.
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Storage
Outlook gives you a massive 1TB of storage right from the beginning. This is a lot of space, so you won’t run out or come close to running low on storage. It’s much more than what Hotmail or Outlook.com provides. And if you ever find yourself needing even more storage, you can upgrade it for free.
