Hotmail stands as one of the world’s first free web-based email services, and a true pioneer in modern digital communication.
Founded in 1996 by Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith, it allowed users for the first time to send and receive emails from anywhere using only an internet connection — a groundbreaking concept at the time.
The service quickly gained global popularity for its simplicity and accessibility, helping transform how people communicated, worked, and built relationships online.
In 1997, Microsoft acquired Hotmail in a deal worth approximately $400 million, integrating it into its suite of internet services and laying the foundation for what would later become Outlook.com.
While the name “Hotmail” has evolved, its legacy remains strong — particularly in the Arab world, where millions of users still associate their first email experience with it.
Today, Outlook (formerly Hotmail) offers a wide range of features including:
Cloud storage via OneDrive for large attachments.
Smart calendar for managing schedules and meetings.
Integration with Microsoft 365 for productivity and collaboration.
Enhanced security through two-step verification and advanced spam protection.
Creating a Hotmail account remains easy and intuitive. Users can visit Outlook.live.com, click “Create account”, and complete a simple registration form to begin using their new email instantly.
From its humble beginnings to its transformation under Microsoft, Hotmail has shaped the way the world connects, evolving from a simple inbox to a powerful digital ecosystem built for communication, organization, and security.
