Hotmail has become Outlook – what does it mean in 2026?
Originally published September 2012. Last updated January 2026.
Back in 2013, Microsoft announced that Hotmail would be replaced by Outlook.com. Now, over a decade later, the next major change is underway: classic Outlook is being phased out in favour of the all-new Outlook. Here we cover what has happened, what is happening right now, and what it means for you – whether you still have an @hotmail.com address or work professionally with email marketing.
From Hotmail to Outlook.com – a brief look back
Hotmail was one of the world's first major web-based email services. Microsoft acquired it back in 1997 and ran it for over 15 years before rebranding it as Outlook.com in 2013. All existing Hotmail accounts were automatically migrated to the new platform, but the email addresses themselves – your @hotmail.com or @hotmail.co.uk – continued to work exactly as before.
They still do today. Your old Hotmail address works as normal. You simply log in via Outlook.com instead.
You can read more about the transition and what it means for you on Microsoft's website.
What is happening with Outlook in 2026?
Microsoft is currently carrying out the biggest change to Outlook since the switch from Hotmail. It involves the transition from "classic Outlook" (the desktop application that has existed in various versions since the 1990s) to "new Outlook" – a modern, web-based app that replaces both the old programme and the previous Mail and Calendar apps in Windows.
Here is the timeline:
Personal users with Microsoft 365 subscriptions have already been automatically migrated since the end of 2024.
Business users with Microsoft 365 Enterprise licences began being migrated in April 2026. However, users can still switch back to classic Outlook if they wish.
The opt-out phase, where new Outlook becomes the default but can be turned off, has been postponed to March 2027. Microsoft has therefore given organisations an additional year to prepare.
Classic Outlook will continue to be supported with security updates until at least 2029.
This means the transition is happening gradually and no one is forced to switch overnight. But the direction is clear: new Outlook is the future.
Does my Hotmail address still work?
Yes. This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is simple: your @hotmail.com address is not affected. You can continue to send and receive email exactly as before. The only thing that changes is the interface – that is, what it looks like when you log in to Outlook.com or use the Outlook app. Your messages, contacts and folders are all still there.
If you like, you can also create a new @outlook.com address as an alias linked to the same account, but this is entirely optional.
What does it mean for you if you work with email marketing?
If you send newsletters, campaigns or automated email flows, there are a few things to be aware of:
Unsubscribe and sender reputation
New Outlook, like most modern email clients, has a built-in unsubscribe button displayed in the interface. This means the recipient can easily opt out of future mailings – sometimes without even opening your newsletter.
This is actually positive for legitimate senders. When recipients use the unsubscribe button instead of marking your message as spam, your sender reputation is affected far less. The key is to ensure your mailings handle unsubscribes correctly and that you have list-unsubscribe headers properly implemented. Platforms such as APSIS One handle this automatically.
Deliverability and sender authentication
Microsoft continues to tighten the requirements for sender authentication. For your emails to reach the recipient's inbox – and not end up in the spam folder – it is more important than ever to have the right technical setup. This is linked to a broader shift towards privacy-first email marketing, where authentication and transparency are becoming fundamental requirements rather than optional extras:
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) – verifies that your server is authorised to send email on behalf of your domain.
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) – digitally signs your messages so the recipient can verify they have not been tampered with.
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance) – sets a policy for how receiving servers should handle messages that fail SPF or DKIM checks.
If you do not already have these in place, you should prioritise it. Without proper authentication, you risk having your mailings filtered out, particularly within Microsoft's ecosystem which includes Outlook.com, Hotmail and corporate Exchange environments.
Images and image blocking
New Outlook still blocks images by default for recipients who have not added the sender as trusted. This has not changed since the Hotmail days. The best things you can do are:
Use clear alt text on all images, so the message comes across even without images.
Encourage your recipients to add your sender address to their address book.
Ensure your email works and looks good even without images.
Segmentation and relevance
Perhaps the most important lesson from Outlook's evolution is that recipients have more tools than ever to filter, sort and unsubscribe from content that does not feel relevant. This means that quality and relevance in every mailing are becoming increasingly important.
Make sure you segment your mailing lists and tailor the content to your recipients' interests and behaviour. Generic mass mailings not only risk low engagement – they can actively harm your deliverability over time.
Summary
The Hotmail address lives on, but everything around it has changed. Microsoft's new Outlook means a more modern email experience for hundreds of millions of users, and for you as a marketer it means the fundamentals matter more than ever: proper authentication, relevant content, clean mailing lists and respect for the recipient's choices. Stay up to date on GDPR trends and compliance to ensure your email marketing also meets the latest regulatory requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Does my @hotmail.com address still work?
Yes. Your Hotmail address works exactly as normal. You log in via Outlook.com and everything is still there.
Do I need to do anything to switch to new Outlook?
No, if you use the web version (Outlook.com) the transition happens automatically. If you use the desktop application, you may be prompted to try new Outlook, but you can still switch back to the classic version.
Does the switch to new Outlook affect my newsletter subscriptions?
No, your subscriptions and email messages are not affected. It is the interface – that is, how it looks – that changes.
I work with email marketing. Do I need to change anything?
Make sure you have SPF, DKIM and DMARC correctly configured, that your mailings include list-unsubscribe headers, and that you segment your recipients for relevant content. These are the fundamentals that determine whether your messages get through.
Want to know more about email marketing?
Our email marketing handbook contains everything you need to know to create professional newsletters with high deliverability and relevant content.
Want to make sure your email campaigns get through? APSIS One helps you with everything from authentication and deliverability to segmentation and automation. Try APSIS One free for 14 days or book a demo to see how we can help you.
