Is there is a best way to save Hotmail emails from my Inbox?

For a Hotmail account used in Classic Outlook, the “best” way depends on whether the goal is long‑term backup, mailbox size control, or convenience.

To keep a safe copy outside Microsoft’s server and control mailbox size, use a local Outlook Data File (.pst) and/or archiving plus attachment offloading:

1. Archive older items to a .pst
   • Use Outlook’s AutoArchive or manual archive to move older Inbox items into a separate Outlook Data File (.pst).
   • This keeps the messages accessible in Outlook while reducing what stays in the server mailbox.
   • See the guidance to archive older items automatically or manually in “Manage my mailbox size in Outlook.”
2. Keep the mailbox lean
   • Empty Deleted Items regularly so removed messages don’t keep consuming quota.
   • Empty Junk Email periodically so only wanted mail uses server space.
   • Store large attachments outside the mailbox (e.g., OneDrive or local folders) and then delete or archive the original messages to reduce server storage.
3. Saving messages entirely off the server
   • If messages must be moved off the server but still be available, use Outlook to save them into a .pst file. The messages in that .pst are only available when Outlook can open that file.
   • This is explicitly recommended for moving messages out of the mailbox while keeping them.

Whether leaving everything on the Microsoft server is “best” depends on storage limits and backup needs:

• Leaving all 10,000 messages on the server is fine as long as storage limits are not approached and there is comfort relying on Microsoft’s cloud storage.
• For additional control and a personal backup, combining server storage with a .pst archive (plus regular cleanup of Deleted Items and Junk Email and offloading attachments) is a balanced approach.

References:

• Manage my mailbox size in Outlook
• Working with message folders in Outlook on the web