You can connect these accounts to modern desktop apps using IMAP and SMTP settings . The "Blessing and a Curse"
Hotmail is now Outlook.com To sign in to Hotmail, you'll need your Microsoft account username and password. Microsoft Support
Are you having trouble or recovering an old account? How to sign in to Hotmail - Microsoft Support
In the early 2000s, Microsoft offered localized Hotmail domains to users in specific regions to encourage local adoption. For a limited window roughly , Australians had the option to register a .com.au variant.
However, Microsoft eventually consolidated its services. In 2013, Hotmail was officially rebranded as Outlook.com, and the ability to create new accounts with the .com.au extension was removed. Is It Still Active?
Unfortunately, . While you can still create new @outlook.com or @hotmail.com accounts, the Australian-specific domain is no longer available for new registrations. If you have one, hold onto it—it's a genuine piece of Australian digital history.
This blog post covers the history and current status of the rare email domain. The Rarity of the Hotmail.com.au Email Address