Microsoft no longer presents new live.com addresses as its standard email option; new consumer accounts normally use an Outlook.com address or an existing email address. Existing live.com accounts can still function as Microsoft accounts, but availability of a new live.com alias depends on what Microsoft’s sign-up interface offers.
Windows Live and live.com are not the same thing
The Windows Live brand got discontinued back in August 2012, but many email addresses created under Microsoft’s older services remained active. Microsoft moved consumer webmail into Outlook.com.
Create a current Microsoft email account
Go to Outlook.live.com and choose the option to create a free account, or open Signup.live.com. Select one of the domains offered on screen. Do not assume live.com will appear; Microsoft controls the available domains and may change them by market or account state.
Use an existing email address
A Microsoft account can also use an existing third-party email address for sign-in. This creates account access to Microsoft services without creating a new Microsoft-hosted mailbox. Read the form carefully so you know whether you are creating a mailbox or registering an existing address.
Protect the new account
Use a unique password, add recovery information and enable strong sign-in verification. Save recovery codes away from the device. Check the spelling of the address before using it for purchases or account recovery because a mistaken address can be hard to correct later.
Sign in to an existing live.com mailbox
Existing users can sign in through Outlook.live.com. If Microsoft recognises the address, the account should open after authentication. Use Microsoft’s recovery process if the password is lost; avoid services claiming they can recover the account for a fee.
Add an alias only through account settings
Signed-in users may be able to add an alias from their Microsoft account settings. An alias uses the same inbox and account. The domain choices shown there determine what can be created. The general sign-up page at Signup.live.com may offer different options.
Check the guide before sharing account details
This site’s existing guide labelled how to sign out of Outlook points back to this page, so use Microsoft’s current account menu for sign-out instructions. On a shared computer, sign out, close the browser and remove saved credentials.
A live.com address should be treated as a legacy domain unless Microsoft offers it in the current account form. Choose the address visible in the official Microsoft flow rather than following old screenshots that promise a domain no longer available.
