How to switch from Outlook.com to Hotmail [How-To Guide]
August 7, 2012 569
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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!
[@Paul] MS should be used to handling those, especially after the last few years: they just ignore them. Does anyone else see a classic business life cycle model developing with this company, or am I completely blinded by my contempt for the way they treat a once loyal customer?
well how could i do that if i don’t have this option ???
Seriously people? The article clearly states: “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!” Why are people still confused as to why they cannot change back?!
@Seriously +1
Its like tilting at windmills. A done deal even for Don Quixote.
@Kendra
Referring to one of your previous comments, you mentioned something about free email services (such as Outlook) and paid email services. I use HotmailPlus, which is a fee account and Microsoft charges me for every year, in exchange for certain benefits, such as more space and others. How are customers such as myself going to be handled when we switch (or get switched) to Outlook?
I do not have either any desire to move out of HotmailPlus or any pleasure in remaining with. I’m kind of neutral about that… But there is one very important issue to me — I have dozens of entities, including financial, official and private companies that use my @hotmail address for all contacts and, in some cases, even as an extra tool of identification.
What would be my best choice at this point? Am I going to be moved to Outlook, no matter the fact I’m a paying user of Hotmail? And then?
Or, change for change, should I go out and find a real good email provider, even if I have to pay a fee? Any particular recommendation?
I will greatly appreciate your thoughts about all these queries.
Thank you very much for your help.
@Mark Lee
WHen you are upgraded your Hotmail.com email will continue to work as an “alias” of the new Outlook.com. Both will work. Your PLUS benefits will continue as Outlook PLUS
The most important wisdom I can impart is IF YOUR DATA IS IMPORTANT BACK IT UP!!!!!
There is a sizable number of users who have lost theirs. Easiest way is to install windows live mail and sync it to your hotmail account.
sorry MS your Software is totally rubbish and annoying, just making money from people
[@Kendra farns]
Thank you very much for your information and advice. Like I said before, I have no qualms in moving to Outlook, especially if my PLUS benefits move with me… But I’m not particularly eager, either.
Do you know whether there have been many issues experienced by the people who have already moved? Any particular area of incidence of such issues? You mention one that causes me some chills — loss of data… How serious has it been?
Microsoft has been so far remarkably quiet about making people comfortable with this move and they don’t seem too hurried in coming up with public, widespread notices about the main problems, namely this last one about the “Sorry, there seems to be a problem with Hotmail…”
I used to have quite high regards about Microsoft but I think they are facing a terrible public relations backlash from this Hotmail-Outlook apparent fracas…
Any thoughts will be much appreciated.
Thank you.
Sorry… this sucks! Web Messenger is absolutle half arsed shite!
And you think im moving to Skype? Screw you microsoft!
Please update your responses. According to Microsoft, it is no longer an option to switchback to Hotmail.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/outlook/switch-back-hotmail
@Haro Kagemoto
I said exactly that in comment 130. Microsoft turned the revert switch off about 10 days ago.
This is all sound and fury signifying nothing. The complaints will die down, those who stay will get used to another flavor of free mail, and life goes on.
It simply amazes me that the frustration level of some users is non existent.
I mean seriously, to whine about having to log in every time (a new security feature) ad infinitum is just ludicrous
Some need to get a life
My hot mail account got switched to outlook without my permission! I am really upset. I don’t like how it looks and functions. When someone sends me an email and there is more recipients than just me, I am not able to view them! How am I supposed to know who I am replying to? I can’t open the attachments just to view them, it goes straight to download, and I hate saving garbage to my computer that takes up the space! I really hate this, I can’t believe Microsoft updated this without my permission, people should have choice regarding their own personal e-mail accounts! I want to go back to hot mail. I have my own business and my e-mails are the most important things in my daily routine. Half of my e-mails got erased or moved to different folders. I needed my on-line folders to keep everything organized. There should be an option to got back! This is unacceptable.
[@Marek]
@Merek
They sent you at least 2 emails (they sent them to ALL Hotmail users) about this. The only official support for Hotmail (and where to make a comment) is here
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windowslive/forum?tab=unanswered
I was working in my Hotmail account and suddenly the next moment I was taken into outlook. I hate working in outlook and found your site for repairs. The point at which your guide tells us to press ” Go back to Hotmail”. No such icon appears in the gear box However the feedback option is still there. Any suggestions to get rid of Outlook would be appreciated.
How the hell do i forward messages on this rubbishy
Outlook format,its the most user unfriendly load of
claptrap its ever been my misfortune to be stuck with-Microsoft get a brain transplant!Alan.[@kevbo]
@Alan Sheehan
Forward is under reply. Just have to look around a bit to find stuff
Support can be found here.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windowslive/forum?tab=unanswered
KL,Thanks for your help.Unfortunately its only a half
solution.When i need to forward a message to one of
my contacts,the Outlook format restricts me on the
drop down contacts menu to frequent contacts ONLY!
How do i forward messages to the others[in this case
around-80 %] Cheers-Alan.
[@ALAN SHEEHAN.]
No it doesnt
If you click the “to”, “cc”, or “bcc” once it gives you favorites. If you click it twice it gives you the complete list
For a permanent fix
Go to> Options> More Options>customizing>advanced privacy settings>click “suggestions for anyone”>save
FUCK MICROSOFT.FORCE MY FIST ACROSS THEIR CORPORATE JAW
FINGER MICROSOFT.FORCE MY FIST ACROSS THEIR CORPORATE JAW
I want to switch back to Hotmail, but the option doesn’t appear. How to make it? I hate Outlook, it’s terrible…
[@Diana Slavova]
Same here :( I HATE OUTLOOK.
I am so sick – Why don’t they keep hotmail – let people choose if they want Hotmail (for (15yr!) then ms they could become gazillion millionaires- or those who want outlook can go that route- ( its definitely NOT AN UPGRADE)…
How long do they want to spend reading the disgruntled- begrudged-unhappy- ruthless emails of user depression shared to you——this new FORCED lower grade system to handle the everyday easiness of what we had
We don’t mind if we have to suck d— I mean pay out to hotmail!!!!!! Just ask!!!!!
HOW COME THEY DONT GET IT???????
It’s NOT ROCKET SCIENCE!!!!! JUST LET ME KNOW THAT THINGS WILL
BE AS THEY WERE -YET NOW @ A COST—– ASAP
SOMBODY HELP!
PS. IT PISSES ME OFF TO SEE MY FACEBOOK PIC IN MY EMAIL AREA— I DIDNT CHOOSE TO CLICK THAT- FOR ME IT IS AN INTRUSION THAT AND THE WHOLE SITUATION… HERE IS A NUMBER I FOUND FOR Q’S TO HOTMAIL WILL CALL THURSDAY.800-230-5093
(update some how I got rid of facebook pic ID THNKGD)
TO SEE IF THEY WILL REVERT THOSE WHO WILLING TO PAY TO HAVE HOTMAIL REINSTATED, IF NOT HOW TO DIVERT MY DATA FOR MY FUTURE USE ELSWHERE
AND THEN “”"”"GET THE HECK OUTA DODGE”"”"”
signed holly loveshotmail
Another unhappy client – HERE I QUOTE
“‘”"”"BTW, we don’t HAVE to accept Outlook. There are many other e-mail providers out there. Trouble is, UP TILL NOW, and despite not being thrilled with some of the earlier “updates”, I still like Hotmail best. BUT, if you force Outlook onto me, and I still HATE it, I will be looking for something else.”"”"”"”
@Holly
That number (.800-230-5093) IS NOT LEGITIMATE HOTMAIL SUPPORT
It is for TechSupportCraft.us http://www.techsupportcraft.us/
They cant do a thing for you but charge you.
Okay … how many times do you people have to read this to get it? I can’t believe how many folks are still asking how to switch back to hotmail – YOU CAN’T. It says it all over the place here! MS is switching ALL Hotmail users to Outlook, like it or not. All of us Hotmail users will eventually be Outlook users by the end of the summer. If you don’t like, switch providers. Good God people … it’s email, not rocket science. If you don’t like Outlook, go to another free service, forward all your emails to that new email, and cancel your hotmail/outlook accounts :) … not that difficult.