How to Create an Outlook Email Account: Web, Mobile, & Desktop

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Set up your new Outlook email address in a few simple steps

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: May 4, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Outlook.com
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• Outlook Mobile App
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• Outlook Desktop App
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You can easily set up a new Outlook email account at Outlook.com on your computer, or using the Outlook mobile app on your Android, iPhone, or iPad. When you create an Outlook.com account, you'll also be creating a Microsoft account, which you can use to access products like OneDrive, Skype, Xbox Live, Microsoft 365 (Office), and more. This wikiHow teaches you how to create an email account with Microsoft Outlook at Outlook.com, in the Outlook mobile app, and using the Outlook desktop app for Windows and Mac.

Things You Should Know

• To create a free Outlook.com email address, click "Create free account" at https://www.outlook.com.
• You can also download the Outlook mobile app for Android from the Google Play Store, or for iPhone and iPad from the App Store.
• To create a new Outlook account in the Outlook desktop app, click "File," select "Add Account," and then click "Create an Outlook.com email address."

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Outlook.com

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1. 1
   Go to https://www.outlook.com in a web browser. You can use any web browser on your PC or Mac to create a free Outlook email account.

   • If you're already signed in to an existing Outlook.com account and want to create a new one, you'll need to sign out first. Click your profile photo at the top-right, then click Sign out to do so.
   • If you need to set up an Outlook account for work or school, contact your organization's IT department for specific instructions.
2. 2
   Click Create free account. You'll see this near the center of the page.
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3. 3
   Enter the email address you want to use and click Next.

   • In the first field, type your preferred username (the part of your email address that comes before @outlook.com) into the field.
   • By default, @outlook.com will be selected as your domain name. If you'd prefer to have your Outlook email address be yourusername@hotmail.com, select hotmail.com from the menu instead.
   • Click Next when you're finished.
4. 4
   Enter a password and click Next. Enter a password that's at least 8 characters long and contains a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You will use this password to log in to your Outlook email account once created.

   • If you don't want to receive promotional email messages from Microsoft, remove the checkmark from the box before you continue.
5. 5
   Enter your full name and click Next. You'll need to provide your first and last name to create an account.
6. 6
   Enter your region and birthdate and click Next.
7. 7
   Confirm you're not a robot. You'll need to complete a brief activity to confirm that you're not a bot. Once you successfully complete the activity, your new Outlook account will be ready to use.

   • You may be prompted to choose whether to stay logged in to your account once created. Only click Yes if you don't share this computer with anybody else.
   • Once your account is created, you'll be taken right to your new Outlook inbox. You can then begin sending and receiving email with your new Outlook email account.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Outlook Mobile App

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1. 1
   Install the Outlook mobile app on your phone or tablet. To sign up for a free Outlook email account on your Android, iPhone, or iPad, you'll need to download the Outlook app from your phone's app store.

   • On Android, download Outlook from the Google Play Store.
   • On iPhone or iPad, download Outlook from the App Store.
2. 2
   Open the Outlook mobile app. Once installed, you'll find it on your phone or tablet's Home screen or in your app list.

   • If you've ever used the Outlook app in the past, or if you have other accounts on your Android or iPhone, you'll be taken to a screen that displays a list of email addresses you've connected to the app. Tap Skip if you'd like to create a new account instead of using one of these addresses.
   • If it's your first time launching the app, tap Get Started if prompted.
3. 3
   Tap Create New Account to get a new Outlook email address. Alternatively, if you already have an email account that you want to use with the Outlook app, such as your work email, you can enter it into the field and select Add Account.
4. 4
   Create your new Outlook email address and tap Next.

   • In the first field, type your preferred username (the part of your email address that comes before @outlook.com) into the field.
   • By default, @outlook.com will be selected as your domain name. If you'd prefer to have your Outlook email address be yourusername@hotmail.com, tap hotmail.com in the menu instead.
   • Tap Next when you're finished.
5. 5
   Enter a password and tap Next. Enter a strong password that's at least 8 characters long and contains a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You will use this password to log in to your Outlook email account once created.

   • If you don't want to receive promotional email messages from Microsoft, remove the checkmark from the box before you continue.
6. 6
   Enter your full name and tap Next. You'll need to type your first and last name to create an Outlook account.
7. 7
   Enter your region and birthdate and click Next. Select your country if not already selected, then choose your date of birth from the drop-down menus.
8. 8
   Solve the puzzle to prove you're not a robot. Tap Next when prompted, and complete the brief activity. Once you've verified that you're human, you'll be taken to your new Outlook inbox.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Outlook Desktop App

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1. 1
   Open the Outlook email client on your PC or Mac. If you subscribe to Microsoft 365 (Microsoft Office), you'll find the Outlook app in your Windows Start menu or on your Mac's Launchpad.
2. 2
   Click the File menu and select Add Account. You'll see File at the top-left corner of Outlook.
3. 3
   Click the link that says "Create an Outlook.com email address to get started." You'll see this long link next to "No account?" at the bottom of the window.

   • If you already have an email account, such as one from your work or school, you can add it to Outlook instead of creating a new account. Just type your email address into the field, click Connect, and follow the on-screen instructions to link it to Outlook.
   • If you already have an Outlook.com email address, you can add it to Outlook as well. Just type the address into the field and click Connect to get set up.
4. 4
   Type the email address you want to use and click Next.

   • In the first field, enter your preferred username (the part of your email address that comes before @outlook.com) into the field.
   • @outlook.com will be selected as your domain name by default. If you'd prefer to have your Outlook email address be yourusername@hotmail.com, select hotmail.com from the menu instead.
5. 5
   Enter a password and click Next. Type a password that's at least 8 characters long and contains a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. This password will allow you to check your Outlook email anywhere, including in the Outlook mobile app and on the web at Outlook.com.

   • If you don't want to receive promotional emails from Microsoft, remove the checkmark from the box.
6. 6
   Enter your full name and click Next. You'll need to provide your first and last name to create an Outlook account.
7. 7
   Enter your region and birthdate and click Next. Select your country if not already selected, then use the menus to provide your date of birth.
8. 8
   Confirm you're not a robot. Complete the activity to prove that you're human. Once completed, your Outlook account will be ready to use in the Outlook desktop app.

   • Once your account is created, you'll be taken right to your new Outlook inbox.
   • If you have multiple email accounts in Outlook, you'll have separate inboxes for each, as well as one unified inbox at the top of the left panel.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  My computer crashed and I reformatted my hard drive. How do I reinstall Outlook (mail only) and keep my comcast.net email address?

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor
  Staff Answer

  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

  Staff Answer

  The Outlook desktop app comes with Microsoft Office. To reinstall Outlook after reformatting your hard drive, you'll need to reinstall Office by downloading it again from Microsoft's website. Then, in Outlook, click the File menu, select Add Account, and enter your Comcast email address when prompted. Outlook will walk you through the rest of the installation.

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• Question

  Can I create an account with a different domain name?

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor
  Staff Answer

  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

  Staff Answer

  If you have your own domain name and subscribe to Microsoft 365, you can currently link your domain name to your Outlook account if you host your domain at Godaddy. However, this feature will be going away in November 2023. In the meantime, you can link your domain in your Outlook.com settings--go to "Premium" and click "Get Started" under "Personalized email address."

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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• Question

  Will my existing email address continue operating as it is now if I create a new Outlook account?

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor
  Staff Answer

  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

  Staff Answer

  If you create a brand new Outlook email account, it will not affect your existing email address. You can, however, choose to email from your existing address to your Outlook address if you'd like.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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