Microsoft switches Hotmail accounts to Outlook.com

In this Nov. 28, 2012, file photo, Microsoft Corp. retail store employees and guests mingle at a pop-up Microsoft Store during Microsoft’s annual meeting of shareholders, in Bellevue, Wash.ington. Longtime users of Hotmail, MSN and other Microsoft email services will start noticing a big change: When they sign in to check messages, they’ll be sent to a new service called Outlook.com. AP PHOTO/TED S. WARREN

NEW YORK—Microsoft said Tuesday it had begun switching Hotmail accounts to Outlook.com as it officially launches its revamped email service.

“Starting today, Microsoft will begin to upgrade every Hotmail user to Outlook.com.,” the company said in a statement. “The upgrade is seamless and instant for Hotmail customers; everything including their @hotmail.com email address, password, contacts, etc., will stay the same.”

Microsoft said last year it was overhauling its email service as it adapts for mobile users and social media.

The number of active accounts on Outlook.com grew to 60 million in just six months during its preview period, Microsoft said, adding it lets users connect to Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Outlook.com is also “designed to make it easy to send hundreds of photos and videos in a single message,” it said.

Launched in 1996, Hotmail was among the first Web-based email services.