Change Microsoft Account Email Address - A Step-by-Step Guide
Managing Your Microsoft Account Email Address
The designated primary email address for your Microsoft account serves as your login credential for Windows and a range of other Microsoft services. Should you wish to utilize a different email than the original one used for signup – even an address not provided by Microsoft – modifying this setting is a straightforward process.
When accessing Windows with a Microsoft account, you aren’t restricted to the initial email used for account creation. Perhaps you initially established an Outlook.com address but now favor your Gmail account. While reverting to a local account on your PC and then switching back with the new address is possible, it’s time-consuming and requires repetition across all devices. Fortunately, Microsoft offers a simpler solution.
Utilizing Account Aliases
Microsoft allows the creation of aliases, essentially additional email addresses linked to your core account for login purposes. You can then designate any of these aliases as your primary address.
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Begin by navigating to the Microsoft account page and logging in with your current email address.
On the main account page, select the "Your info" link located in the top navigation bar.
Managing Sign-in Options
Within this section, click the "Manage how you sign in to Microsoft" link.
This page displays your existing email addresses. If you already have a desired alias, you can bypass the following steps. Otherwise, click the "Add email" link to establish a new alias.
The "Add an alias" page presents two choices: creating a new email address within the Outlook.com domain or adding an existing email from another provider. Select your preferred option, complete the required information, and click "Add alias".
Verification and Primary Alias Designation
Your newly added alias will now appear in the list. If you added an existing email, a verification email will be sent to that address. Locate and verify the email to proceed.
You can now utilize any of your aliases to access Microsoft services, including Windows. If this is your sole objective, the process is complete.
However, you can also designate your new alias as the primary account. This ensures that all Microsoft communications, payment notifications, and other account-related emails are directed to this address. It also streamlines management under your preferred email. Furthermore, to replace an existing primary alias, you must first assign another address as the primary.
To make your new address primary, click the "Make primary" link beneath it. Remember that verification of the new email address is a prerequisite.
Confirm your choice on the subsequent page by clicking "Yes". Opt-out of receiving promotional offers from Microsoft at this address if desired.
Allow up to 48 hours for the primary alias change to propagate across all Microsoft services. Typically, the update occurs much faster. Within a few hours, you should be able to use the new primary address to log in to Windows PCs, Xbox consoles, and other linked devices. Other services may take longer, but your previous credentials will remain functional.