How to switch from Outlook.com to Hotmail [How-To Guide]
August 7, 2012 575
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Outlook.com is a new free web e-mail service by Microsoft intended to replace Hotmail. Using Outlook.com can be done by creating a new Outlook.com account or upgrading your existing Hotmail account to Outlook.com. If you have used Outlook.com and decided you want to go back to Hotmail, that can be done easily. This guide shows you how to do it.
Before We Begin
Before we being, take note going from Hotmail to Outlook.com does not change your e-mail address. This means if you created a new @outlook.com e-mail, that e-mail will stay with you when you go to Hotmail; if you converted your Hotmail account to Outlook.com, you will still retain the same Hotmail e-mail when you go back.
Also, downgrading from Outlook.com to Hotmail does not result in loss of data. All your e-mails, contacts, folders, etc. are converted with you. The only thing that changes when going from Outlook.com to Hotmail is the user interface; you get the old Hotmail inbox and features back.
Lastly, if you were forced to upgrade to Outlook.com from Hotmail, you cannot revert back to Hotmail. Going from Outlook.com to Hotmail is only for those people that voluntarily upgraded.
UPDATE: It looks like Microsoft is no longer allowing people to revert back to Hotmail from Outlook.com. Sorry people — you are stuck with Outlook.com, you cannot change back!
How To Go Back To Hotmail From Outlook.com (How To Turn Off Outlook.com)
The following are the steps you need to take to covert your Outlook.com account to Hotmail:
Note: To enlarge any images below, simply click on them.
- Login to Outlook.com.
- Once logged in, you will be taken to your Outlook.com inbox. From there click on the gear icon located near the top-right corner:
- Clicking on the gear icon will open a menu. From that menu click on Switch back to Hotmail:
- Next you will be prompted with a message asking for feedback. If you want to provide feedback, click on Send feedback; otherwise, click on Skip feedback:
- Done.
If you opted to send feedback, you will be asked a series of questions after which you will be taken to Hotmail; if you opted to not send feedback, you will be taken directly to Hotmail:
Conclusion
Switching between Hotmail and Outlook.com is very easy and dotTech’s two guides How To Upgrade From Hotmail to Outlook.com and How To Switch from Outlook.com to Hotmail make the process even easier thanks to our step-by-step directions with screenshots. So go, venture into the world of Microsoft e-mail without fear of permanent change. Enjoy!
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@Kendra farns:
Steel i want to go back to hotmail…
please give me any if you find another option for that….
This worked before. I just tried again (my acct switchback to Outlook periodically regardless of how many times I revert to Hotmail) but the Swicth Back to Hotmail option must have been temporary while they received feedback as it is no no longer an option. :o(
@nataliej:
Why are Microsoft being such absolute KUNTS? This is disgraceful. I invested my time switching from Outlook back to Hotmail. Microsoft allowed me to do this. In fact, they were the ones created the facility to do it. Now they just push us off of hotmail and onto Outlook without even a simple message.
If I’m stuck with this shit outlook bollox then I’ll take my custom elsewhere.
Outlook sucks! Bring back the Hotmail!
@bradhesh
@nataliej
@pissed off customer
@heather
There is simply no going back. I work for Microsoft and the and unwilling to run 2 different servers.m You will just have to get used to it or find another email
Personally I wouldnt use a free email service
I don’t have switch back option availble in gear button.. After fedback option no option is availble
This just happened . . . AGAIN! And the option to go back is not there this time. I am so angry. I WILL remember this!
Katie
ITS A DONE DEAL. Get used to it, or find another email service. GMAIL isnt any better (I work there and the are under going change as well)
Will leave hotmail after 17 years…….This unvolunteering switch is not appreciated …..
[@Heather]
I don’t have switch back option availble in gear button.. After fedback option no option is availble
[@Kendra farns]
I partly agree with you…..going to have to get use to it…..G-mail is slightly better because they at least allow changing fonts in inbox and add color..
I went to live mail for my hotmail accounts
makes it semi live-able.
Side note if you want to use a hotmail not a outlook.com e-mail address have to make one soon all newr addresses will be +++++@outlook.com after march 1st.
Once again micro-softie ruins another good thing !!!! Thanks for nothing micro-softie
Hal
This weekend was the cut off for most things Hotmail. The option to revert was removed from all users, and quite a few more things. Funny thing is they are doing this to GET more Outlook users from Gmail and Yahoo.
From my experience most users think they devil they dont know (I work Hotmail, Gmail, and Yahoo sites) is better than the one they do. Almost always they are disappointed . I guess it is the price one pays for a free email service.
Goodbye Outlook, u suck, hello GMail!
[@Johnny Bravo]
Careful. GMail has a lot of problems, too. I hate Outlook, but it still seems to be the best option now that our Hotmail has been stolen.
@JB
I work on both and good luck with Gmail. I dont use a free email service for my important mail
@Glenda
You are correct. MS has a method to their madness.
[@Kendra farns]
what email do you use?
thanks ahead
Holly.
I am forced to use the free services (Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, etc) because I support them. Its my Job.
To minimize the “risk” I dont use web browsers but instead use Windows Live Mail (has more features) and for important emails I use Office 2013′s Outlook.
I would say for the average user Windows live mail offers a free email client that has many more features than the web based emails.
I am in a bit of a delicate spot here because I am a Microsoft MVP which is why I use this pen name.
I am happy to help anyone and will point you to what I feel is the best choice.
good Luck
im really pisssed off, it happened to switch to the dang out look again….so i go to switch it back…and there isnt a switchback button….i swear im going to kill some one
I switched of my own accord and brother, what a mistake! It’s very slow and clumsy. I’m constantly getting “not responding”.
@daniel
They sent every Hotmail address 2 emails explainging when & why.
@Cameron
The usual cause of that is browser cache. Clear yours
Please clear your browser’s cookies by following the instructions on the link below:
*For IE,: Press CTRL+SHIFT+DEL simultaneously and click Delete
*For Chrome: Press CTRL+SHIFT+DEL simultaneously and click Clear Browsing Data
*For Firefox: Press CTRL+SHIFT+DEL simultaneously and click Clear Now
(other browsers are similar)
The worst aspect of this outlook express tie up, is that you are not told in advance that if you make a single click to agree to using outlook express, your format which you have been used to for years changes.
Now I know some pc nurds simply love to change things for the sake of change, but this format is at the best third rate. I like to click on a mail sent and be able to see at an instant what I have sent, as I may want to re-circulate that mail to others.
This crazy new format is not user friendly and must be a public relations disaster for Microsoft.
[@Heather]
A public relations disaster for hotmail.
@Paul
There is a larger plan afoot but from my support perspective it was handled poorly.
MS has “retired” Mesh (2/13), Messenger (3/15), and Outlook (4/01).
Their data centers cant handle the capacity and the latency is killing any one who has to spend time there.
ATM there are hundreds of threads regarding a “there seems to be a problem with outlook” and after 24 hours there is still no announcement of an issue.
I am just thankful that Gmail didnt decide to switch at the same time (and yes they are changing)