How to use Hotmail Aliases

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Whether shopping online, joining an on-line tech forum, registering your account for on-line bill payment or some other service, a valid e-mail address is required to confirm the account.  Although you can use a plus address for easy management of your email, your primary e-mail address is easily discernible.

For situations where you do not want to use your general e-mail address, you can create an alias.  An alias is particularly useful in situations where the account being registered may result in spam.  All mail sent to alias addresses will be delivered to one Hotmail inbox.

To create an alias

1. In the left pane next to Inbox, click the Tools icon , and then click Create a Hotmail alias. You might need to sign in with your Windows Live ID.
   

   
   
   
   
2. In the dialog box, type an email address, and then click Create an alias.  Note, as in this example, you must select a unique address.
   
   

   

   
   
3. Select your inbox or a new folder for the messages sent to your alias.

To send messages from your new alias, click New to create a message.  Then just click the drop-down next to the Hotmail address to select the address you want to use.

Notes: 

• You cannot use an alias to sign in to Hotmail.  Rather, you need to use your original Hotmail email address and password, not the alias, to sign in to Hotmail.
  
• There is a limit of creating up to five e-mail aliases in your Hotmail account each year.
  
• Use the steps below to delete an alias that is no longer needed:

1. Log in to your primary Hotmail account.  
2. Click Options and select More Options.  
3. Under Managing your account, select Account details (password, aliases, time zone).  
4. Below Other Options, located at the bottom of the Account Overview page, select Your email addresses. 
5. Click Remove next to the alias you wish to delete.

Although Gmail offers the option of using plus addresses, it does not provide the capability of creating aliases.  Conversely, Yahoo! allows the creation of aliases but not plus addresses.  Hotmail provides both features, as well as the ability to manage where the mail is directed.

Additional Topics on Managing Your Hotmail

• Hotmail Security to Protect and Recover Your Account
• Hotmail Security, Common Passwords Blocked
• Hotmail Full-Session HTTPS Encryption
• Hotmail Security, How to Report a Hacked Account
• Link Windows Live IDs in Hotmail
• Use Hotmail to Manage All Your E-Mail Accounts
• Using Hotmail Plus Addresses

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