How to Change Your Hotmail Account

Hotmail is a popular e-mail site because it’s accessible from anywhere and transferable regardless of who provides your Internet access. However, that e-mail address you picked when you were in high school that incorporates your favorite rock band may no longer make the impression you want to leave when you’re writing a resume.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Open your new account. Make sure your choice of name is available. You may have to alter it slightly to get the handle.
2. Log in to your old account. Click on “Options” in the top right corner of the account page.
3. Select "Forward Your Messages" and type in the new account in the space provided. Your junk mail will not forward.
4. Send an automatic reply. Tell e-mail senders about the change even before you respond to them. On the options page select “Send an Automated Vacation Response.” Send the message, “Thanks for your message. Please make note that my e-mail address has changed from (old address) to (new address). This is an automated response.”

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to transfer your contacts from your old account to the new one.
• Your old email account will close in 120 days if you do not log into it. Four months should be long enough to pass the word on your new account. To extend that, log on and clear out your junk mail folder or something similar.