How to create an Outlook.com email address

Sign up for Outlook.com, screen by screen

1. Start the sign-up

   01

   Go to outlook.com and select Create free account

   Open outlook.com in a browser. On the page that opens, select Create free account. If you are already signed in to a Microsoft account, sign out first or use a private window.

2. 02

   Type the address and choose the ending

   Type the part before the @, then choose @outlook.com or @hotmail.com from the list next to it, and select Next. Both endings work the same way. If the address is taken, you see a message straight away and try another.

   
3. 03

   Set a password

   Enter a password you do not use anywhere else and select Next. It needs at least 8 characters with a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. This password signs you in to every Microsoft service, not only email, so a strong one matters more than usual.

   

4. Tell Microsoft who you are

   04

   Add your country or region and date of birth

   Choose your country or region and enter your date of birth, then select Next. If the date shows you are a child, a parent or guardian has to sign in to finish setting up the account.

   
5. 05

   Enter your name

   Type your first and last name. This is the name people see when you send them an email, and you can change it later in your account settings. The box for Microsoft offers below the name is ticked already; untick it if you do not want marketing email, then select Next.

   
6. 06

   Press and hold to show you are a person

   Microsoft asks you to prove you are human. Press and hold the Press and hold button until it finishes; the accessibility icon beside it offers an audio alternative. When you finish, your new Outlook.com inbox opens in the browser.