Hotmail vs. Live — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 16, 2023
Hotmail was a free web-based email service; Live refers to Microsoft's set of online services and software, including Outlook.com, the successor to Hotmail.
Difference Between Hotmail and Live
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hotmail and Live represent different facets of Microsoft’s online services. Hotmail, founded in 1996, was one of the first webmail services on the internet, allowing users to access their email online. It became synonymous with free, easy-to-use email access. Hotmail was an independent entity until it was acquired by Microsoft in 1997, making it a key component of Microsoft's online services for many years.
Live, on the other hand, encompasses a broader spectrum, referring to Microsoft’s set of online services and software, under the brand name Windows Live. It includes services like Live Mail, Live Search, and Live Messenger, offering users a variety of online and synchronized services, integrating various aspects of online communication, search, and social networking.
Hotmail was ultimately transitioned to Outlook.com as part of Microsoft's rebranding and integration strategy, integrating the stand-alone webmail service into the broader suite of Live services, offering enhanced features, user interface, and improved integration with other Microsoft products. Outlook.com, part of the Live ecosystem, retains the essence of Hotmail, being a web-based email service, but with added functionalities and a more modern user interface.
Live, with its array of services, aimed to provide a cohesive and integrated user experience, enabling users to switch seamlessly between different online services, enhancing productivity, and user interaction. It has evolved over time, integrating and consolidating different services to offer a streamlined and interconnected user experience, ensuring that users have access to various tools and services under one umbrella.
In essence, while Hotmail represents a focused, singular service emphasizing web-based email access, Live represents a suite of services and software aimed at providing a comprehensive and integrated online experience. Hotmail was a pioneering service in web-based email, while Live seeks to integrate various services to offer a cohesive online experience.
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Comparison Chart
Scope
Web-based email service
Suite of online services and software
Introduced
1996
2005 as Windows Live
Type
Singular service
Array of services
Evolution
Transitioned to Outlook.com
Evolved, integrated various services
Owner
Acquired by Microsoft in 1997
Developed by Microsoft
Compare with Definitions
Hotmail
Known for its user-friendly interface and features.
Sending and receiving emails were simple tasks in Hotmail.
Live
Refers to Microsoft’s suite of integrated online services and software.
I use Microsoft Live services for various online activities.
Hotmail
Part of Microsoft's online service offering before rebranding.
Before the rebranding, Hotmail was a key component of Microsoft's online services.
Live
Remain alive
Both cats lived to a ripe age
The doctors said she had only six months to live
Hotmail
A pioneering free web-based email service.
I used to communicate with my friends using my Hotmail account.
Live
Make one's home in a particular place or with a particular person
I've lived in the East End all my life
They lived with his grandparents
Hotmail
Acquired by Microsoft in 1997.
After Hotmail was acquired by Microsoft, it underwent several changes.
Live
Not dead or inanimate; living
Live animals
Hotmail
Transitioned to Outlook.com in 2013.
My Hotmail account became an Outlook.com account after the transition.
Live
Relating to a musical performance given in concert, not on a recording
There is traditional live music played most nights
A live album
Live
(of a wire or device) connected to a source of electric current.
Live
(of a question or subject) of current or continuing interest and importance
The future organization of Europe has become a live issue
Live
As or at an actual event or performance
The match will be televised live
Live
To be alive; exist.
Live
To continue to be alive
Lived through a bad accident.
Live
To support oneself; subsist
Living on rice and fish.
Lives on a small inheritance.
Live
To reside; dwell
Lives on a farm.
Live
To conduct one's life in a particular manner
Lived frugally.
Live
To pursue a positive, satisfying existence; enjoy life
Those who truly live.
Live
To remain in human memory
An event that lives on in our minds.
Live
To spend or pass (one's life).
Live
To go through; experience
Lived a nightmare.
Live
To practice in one's life
Live one's beliefs.
Live
Having life; alive
Live animals.
Live
Of, related to, or occurring during the life of one that is living
A live birth.
The live weight of an animal before being slaughtered.
Live
Of current interest or relevance
A live topic.
Still a live option.
Live
(Informal) Full of life, excitement, or activity; lively
A live crowd at the parade.
A live party.
Live
Glowing; burning
Live coals.
Live
Not yet exploded but capable of being fired
Live ammunition.
Live
(Electricity) Carrying an electric current or energized with electricity
Live cables lying dangerously on the ground.
Live
Not mined or quarried; in the natural state
Live ore.
Live
Broadcast while actually being performed; not taped, filmed, or recorded
A live television program.
Live
Involving performers or spectators who are physically present
Live entertainment.
A live audience.
Live
Of, relating to, or containing living bacteria or active viruses, sometimes in an attenuated form
Live yogurt cultures.
A live measles vaccine.
Live
(Printing) Not yet set into type
Live copy.
Live
(Sports) In play
A live ball.
Live
At, during, or from the time of actual occurrence or performance
The landing on the moon was telecast live.
Live
(intransitive) To be alive; to have life.
He's not expected to live for more than a few months.
Live
(intransitive) To have permanent residence somewhere, to inhabit, to reside.
I live at 2a Acacia Avenue.
He lives in LA, but he's staying here over the summer.
Live
(of an object) to have its proper place; to normally be stored.
I washed your gravy boat. Where does it live?
Live
(intransitive) To survive; to persevere; to continue.
Live
(intransitive) To endure in memory; to escape oblivion.
Her memory lives in that song.
Live
To cope.
You'll just have to live with it!
I can't live in a world without you.
Live
(intransitive) To pass life in a specified manner.
It is difficult to live in poverty.
And they lived happily ever after.
Live
(transitive) To spend, as one's life; to pass; to maintain; to continue in, constantly or habitually.
To live an idle or a useful life.
Live
(transitive) To act habitually in conformity with; to practice; to exemplify in one's way of life.
Live
To live as; to live being.
Live
(intransitive) To outlast danger; to float (said of a ship, boat, etc).
No ship could live in such a storm.
Live
To maintain or support one's existence; to provide for oneself; to feed; to subsist.
It is hard to live on the minimum wage.
They lived on stale bread.
Man shall not live by bread alone.
Live
To make the most of life; to experience a full, rich life.
I'm sick of spending every day studying at home: I want to go out there and live!
Live
(only used attributively) Having life; that is alive.
The post office will not ship live animals.
Live
Being in existence; actual.
He is a live example of the consequences of excessive drinking.
Live
Having active properties; being energized.
Because the vaccinia virus is live, it is important to follow care instructions for the vaccination site.
Live
Operational; in actual use rather than in testing etc.
Live
(programming) Of an object or value: that may potentially be used in the future execution of a program.
Live
Taken from a living animal.
Live feathers
Live
(engineering) Imparting power; having motion.
The live spindle of a lathe
A live, or driving, axle
Live
(sports) Still in active play.
A live ball
Live
(card games) Of a card: not yet dealt or played.
Live
(broadcasting) Being broadcast ("on the air"), as it happens.
The station presented a live news program every evening.
Are we live?
Live
(of a performance or speech) In person.
This nightclub has a live band on weekends.
Live
Recorded from a performance in front of an audience.
A live album
Live
Of firearms or explosives, capable of causing harm.
The air force practices dropping live bombs on the uninhabited island.
Live
Of an environment where sound is recorded: having noticeable reverberation.
Live
(circuitry) Electrically charged or energized, usually indicating that the item may cause electrocution if touched.
Use caution when working near live wires.
Live
(poker) Being a bet which can be raised by the bettor, usually in reference to a blind or straddle.
Tommy's blind was live, so he was given the option to raise.
Live
(film) Featuring humans; not animated, in the phrases “live actors” or “live action”.
Live
Being in a state of ignition; burning.
A live coal; live embers
Live
(obsolete) Vivid; bright.
Live
(slang)
Live
(dated) Energetic, attentive, active.
A live man, or orator
Live
Outstanding, top-notch, exhilarating.
Live
Of an event, as it happens; in real time; direct.
The concert was broadcast live by radio.
Live
Of making a performance or speech, in person.
He'll be appearing live at the auditorium.
Live
To be alive; to have life; to have, as an animal or a plant, the capacity of assimilating matter as food, and to be dependent on such assimilation for a continuance of existence; as, animals and plants that live to a great age are long in reaching maturity.
Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will . . . lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live.
Live
To pass one's time; to pass life or time in a certain manner, as to habits, conduct, or circumstances; as, to live in ease or affluence; to live happily or usefully.
O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions!
Live
To make one's abiding place or home; to abide; to dwell; to reside; as, to live in a cottage by the sea.
Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years.
Live
To be or continue in existence; to exist; to remain; to be permanent; to last; - said of inanimate objects, ideas, etc.
Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtuesWe write in water.
Live
To enjoy or make the most of life; to be in a state of happiness; as, people want not just to exist, but to live.
What greater curse could envious fortune giveThan just to die when I began to live?
Live
To feed; to subsist; to be nourished or supported; - with on; as, horses live on grass and grain.
Live
To have a spiritual existence; to be quickened, nourished, and actuated by divine influence or faith.
The just shall live by faith.
Live
To be maintained in life; to acquire a livelihood; to subsist; - with on or by; as, to live on spoils.
Those who live by labor.
Live
To outlast danger; to float; - said of a ship, boat, etc.; as, no ship could live in such a storm.
A strong mast that lived upon the sea.
Live
To spend, as one's life; to pass; to maintain; to continue in, constantly or habitually; as, to live an idle or a useful life.
Live
To act habitually in conformity with; to practice.
To live the Gospel.
Live
Having life; alive; living; not dead.
If one man's ox hurt another's, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it.
Live
Being in a state of ignition; burning; having active properties; as, a live coal; live embers.
Live
Full of earnestness; active; wide awake; glowing; as, a live man, or orator.
Live
Vivid; bright.
Live
Imparting power; having motion; as, the live spindle of a lathe; live steam.
Live
Connected to a voltage source; as, a live wire.
Live
Being transmitted instantaneously, as events occur, in contrast to recorded.
Live
Still in active play; - of a ball being used in a game; as, a live ball.
Live
Pertaining to an entertainment event which was performed (and possibly recorded) in front of an audience; contrasted to performances recorded in a studio without an audience.
Live
Life.
Live
Make one's home or live in;
She resides officially in Iceland
I live in a 200-year old house
These people inhabited all the islands that are now deserted
The plains are sparsely populated
Live
Lead a certain kind of life; live in a certain style;
We had to live frugally after the war
Live
Continue to live; endure or last;
We went without water and food for 3 days
These superstitions survive in the backwaters of America
The racecar driver lived through several very serious accidents
Live
Support oneself;
He could barely exist on such a low wage
Can you live on $2000 a month in New York City?
Many people in the world have to subsist on $1 a day
Live
Have life, be alive;
Our great leader is no more
My grandfather lived until the end of war
Live
Have firsthand knowledge of states, situations, emotions, or sensations;
I know the feeling!
Have you ever known hunger?
I have lived a kind of hell when I was a drug addict
The holocaust survivors have lived a nightmare
I lived through two divorces
Live
Pursue a positive and satisfying existence;
You must accept yourself and others if you really want to live
Live
Actually being performed at the time of hearing or viewing;
A live television program
Brought to you live from Lincoln Center
Live entertainment involves performers actually in the physical presence of a live audience
Live
Showing characteristics of life; exerting force or containing energy;
Live coals
Tossed a live cigarette out the window
Got a shock from a live wire
Live ore is unmined ore
A live bomb
A live ball is one in play
Live
Highly reverberant;
A live concert hall
Live
Charged with an explosive;
Live ammunition
A live bomb
Live
Rebounds readily;
Clean bouncy hair
A lively tennis ball
As resiliant as seasoned hickory
Springy turf
Live
Abounding with life and energy;
The club members are a really live bunch
Live
In current use or ready for use;
Live copy is ready to be set in type or already set but not yet proofread
Live
Of current relevance;
A live issue
Still a live option
Live
Charged or energized with electricity;
A hot wire
A live wire
Live
Having life;
A live canary
Hit a live nerve
Famous living painters
Living tissue
Live
Capable of erupting;
A live volcano
The volcano is very much alive
Live
Not recorded;
The opera was broadcast live
Live
Encompasses services like Live Mail, Live Search, and Live Messenger.
Microsoft Live includes a variety of services, including email and messaging.
Live
Aims to provide a cohesive and seamless online experience.
With Microsoft Live, I can easily switch between different services.
Live
Evolved to integrate various Microsoft services under one brand.
Microsoft Live has integrated various services to enhance user experience.
Live
Developed to enhance productivity and user interaction online.
Microsoft Live offers tools that help in increasing my online productivity.
Common Curiosities
What does Live refer to in Microsoft's services?
Live refers to Microsoft's suite of integrated online services and software, including Live Mail, Live Search, and Live Messenger.
Who founded Hotmail?
Hotmail was founded in 1996 by Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith.
Does Live offer a variety of online services?
Yes, Live offers a variety of online services including email, search, and messaging.
Is Hotmail still in existence?
No, Hotmail was transitioned to Outlook.com in 2013.
Was Hotmail a standalone email service before transitioning to Outlook.com?
Yes, Hotmail was a standalone email service before it was integrated into Outlook.com.
Was Hotmail a free email service?
Yes, Hotmail was one of the first free web-based email services.
What services are included in Microsoft's Live suite?
Live includes services like Live Mail, Live Search, and Live Messenger.
Is Windows Live a cohesive suite of online services?
Yes, Windows Live is designed to be a cohesive and integrated suite of online services.
Did Hotmail transition to Outlook.com?
Yes, Hotmail transitioned to Outlook.com in 2013.
Does Microsoft Live facilitate switching between different online services easily?
Yes, Microsoft Live facilitates easy switching between different integrated online services.
Did Hotmail undergo several changes after being acquired by Microsoft?
Yes, after being acquired by Microsoft, Hotmail underwent several changes and improvements.
When did Microsoft acquire Hotmail?
Microsoft acquired Hotmail in 1997.
Does Live aim to provide a seamless online experience?
Yes, Live aims to provide a cohesive and seamless online experience to users.
Is Live developed by Microsoft to enhance online productivity?
Yes, Live is developed by Microsoft to enhance online productivity and user interaction.
Was Hotmail known for its user-friendly interface?
Yes, Hotmail was known for its user-friendly interface and features.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
