How to Set Up a New Hotmail Account

When setting up a new Hotmail account, you have the option to use either a local account or a Microsoft account. A local account is essentially as old school as Windows gets, and it does not require a network connection or email address. Instead, you create a username (up to 20 characters) and password, which are stored on the PC where you create them, granting access only to that device.

However, if you do use a Microsoft account for services such as Office 365 and OneDrive, it makes sense to sign in to Windows using the same account. This way, you can enjoy several benefits, including the ability to sync data and settings for preinstalled Windows apps, easily restore apps from the Store, and automatically sign in to any Microsoft consumer service.

Signing in with a Microsoft account also allows you to sync settings between PCs where you sign in using the same account. This means that your personalization settings, such as your desktop background, saved passwords (including Wi-Fi profiles), language and regional settings, and more are easily accessible across all devices.

Additionally, signing in with a Microsoft account stores a record of your successful activation, allowing you to easily restore your activation without needing a product key if you ever have to reinstall Windows. If you turn on BitLocker encryption (available only in Pro and Enterprise editions), your recovery key is stored in OneDrive, making it easy to retrieve your data if you find yourself locked out.

Finally, signing in with a Microsoft account automatically enables full-disk encryption for the system drive on PCs designed for Windows 10 or Windows 11, even on systems running Home edition. By signing in to your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC with a Microsoft account, you can enjoy these benefits and more, making it a convenient and secure way to manage your Windows experience.

'Set up new Hotmail account'

Set up new hotmail account