How do I get a hotmail email address?

Most people in the country have at least one email address, and about 30 million of those people have Hotmail addresses. Hotmail is one of the most popular domains for emails, for a number of reasons. A large inbox that will hold lots of files, pictures, and messages; free service; easy-to-use features; and a number of security features make it accessible for anyone, no matter how technologically impaired they may be.

If you'd like a Hotmail email address for yourself, they are actually quite easy to obtain: First, go the www.msn.com, and click on the "Hotmail" tab. From there, you have several options: MSN Hotmail, MSN Hotmail Plus, and MSN Premium. Which one you decide to get depends on what you need. Each has different options and features, such as:

- MSN Hotmail. By far the most popular, this is the free service that features junk mail filters, 1 GB inbox, virus scanning of emails, and others. This is good for people who want basic email features, as a 1 GB inbox will still hold thousands of messages.
- MSN Hotmail Plus. This is $19.95 a year, or roughly $1.67 each month, and has twice the space that Hotmail has. It also has other handy features, such as the ability to access your Hotmail account through Microsoft Outlook. In addition, there are no ads or banners.
- MSM Premium. At $9.95, this features everything Hotmail and Hotmail Plus has and more, like parental control and no email account expiration. In addition, you can have up to 10 emails accounts and includes MSN Encarta Premium, Money Plus, and Photo Plus

Once you have decided which Hotmail account is right for you, you can go about signing up:
- Click on the "sign up" link.
- From there, you will be prompted to choose a user name and password. Your username will be your new email address. Many people choose their name, or a variation of it. Keep in mind however that many of these names will be taken, so you can add variation to it. Keep trying until you get the one you want. It's important to keep in mind as well the image you want to portray; if you will be using your email address to send resumes to employers or emails to people you don't know very well, "hotsexygirl4u" and other types of addresses like that don't necessarily portray a positive or mature image.
- Once you've chosen an email address, you can then decide on a password. This should be something that is not easily guessed. Avoid using your name or birth date. Instead, choose a combination of letters, dates, or words that will be easy for you to remember but difficult for anyone to guess.
- You will then be asked to fill in your information, such as your name, address, and birth date.
- Next, you will be asked to read over the Service Agreement, which tells you what you are agreeing to do and not to do with your hotmail account. It's important to read over this agreement carefully, as checking the box holds you liable for the information you agreed to.
- If you selected a paying account, you will enter in your credit card information.
- Once you've done that, your account is ready to go!