How to Change Your Microsoft Account: A Comprehensive Guide
Changing your Microsoft account can seem daunting, but it’s a process that can be necessary for various reasons. Perhaps you need to update the primary email address associated with your account, migrate to a new email domain, or simply want to enhance the security of your login credentials. Whatever your reason, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the different methods and steps involved in changing your Microsoft account, ensuring a smooth and secure transition. We will cover everything from changing your primary alias to completely merging accounts, along with troubleshooting common issues.
Why Change Your Microsoft Account?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s briefly understand why you might need to change your Microsoft account. Common reasons include:
* **Changing your primary email:** You may have switched jobs, internet providers, or simply prefer a different email address.
* **Improving security:** Updating your login details or adding two-factor authentication can significantly enhance your account’s security.
* **Consolidating accounts:** If you have multiple Microsoft accounts, you might want to merge them into one for easier management.
* **Account recovery issues:** If you’re having trouble recovering your account, changing the associated email or phone number can help.
* **Privacy concerns:** Updating your account information allows you to maintain control over your personal data.
Method 1: Changing Your Primary Alias
The primary alias is the email address you use to sign in to your Microsoft account. Changing it is often the simplest way to update the email associated with your account. Here’s how:
Step 1: Sign in to Your Microsoft Account
* Open your web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
* Go to the Microsoft account website: [https://account.microsoft.com/](https://account.microsoft.com/)
* Sign in using your current Microsoft account credentials (email, phone, or Skype ID and password).
Step 2: Access Account Info
* Once you’re signed in, navigate to the “Your info” section. You can find this in the top navigation bar or on the left-hand menu.
* Alternatively, you can directly access it using this link: [https://account.microsoft.com/profile/](https://account.microsoft.com/profile/)
Step 3: Manage How You Sign In to Microsoft
* On the “Your info” page, look for the section labeled “Account info”.
* Click on “Manage how you sign in to Microsoft”. This will take you to the alias management page.
Step 4: Add an Alias
* On the “Manage how you sign in to Microsoft” page, you’ll see a list of aliases associated with your account. If you only have one alias (your current email), you’ll need to add a new one.
* Click on either “Add email” or “Add phone number” depending on whether you want to add a new email address or a phone number as an alias.
* **Adding an email:** Choose either “Create a new email address” (which will create a new Outlook.com email address) or “Add an existing email address”.
* If you choose to create a new email address, enter your desired new email address and select “@outlook.com” or “@outlook.com.au”. Click “Add alias”.
* If you choose to add an existing email address, enter the email address you want to add and click “Add alias”. Microsoft will send a verification email to this address.
* **Adding a phone number:** Enter your phone number, select your country code, and click “Add alias”. Microsoft will send a verification code to your phone number via SMS.
Step 5: Verify the New Alias
* **For email:** Check your inbox for the verification email from Microsoft. Click the verification link within the email to confirm that you own the email address.
* **For phone number:** Enter the verification code you received via SMS on the Microsoft account website.
Step 6: Make the New Alias Primary
* Return to the “Manage how you sign in to Microsoft” page. You should now see the newly added alias listed.
* Click on “Make primary” next to the new email address or phone number you want to use as your primary alias.
Step 7: Remove the Old Alias (Optional but Recommended)
* Once the new alias is set as primary, you can remove the old email address or phone number from the list of aliases.
* Click on “Remove” next to the old alias. Be sure you have other working aliases before you remove one.
* Confirm that you want to remove the alias. **Important:** If you remove an Outlook.com, Hotmail, or Live email address alias, it is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. Use caution.
Method 2: Changing Your Microsoft Account Password
While not directly changing the account itself, regularly updating your password is a crucial security measure. Here’s how to change your Microsoft account password:
Step 1: Sign in to Your Microsoft Account
* Open your web browser.
* Go to the Microsoft account website: [https://account.microsoft.com/](https://account.microsoft.com/)
* Sign in using your current credentials.
Step 2: Access Security Settings
* In the top navigation bar or left-hand menu, click on “Security”.
* Alternatively, you can go directly to: [https://account.microsoft.com/security/](https://account.microsoft.com/security/)
Step 3: Change Password
* On the “Security” page, look for the section labeled “Password security”.
* Click on “Change password”.
Step 4: Verify Your Identity
* Microsoft will likely require you to verify your identity before changing your password. This may involve entering a code sent to your recovery email address or phone number.
* Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the verification process.
Step 5: Enter New Password
* Once your identity is verified, you’ll be prompted to enter your current password and then your new password.
* Enter your current password in the “Current password” field.
* Enter your new password in the “New password” field.
* Re-enter your new password in the “Re-enter password” field.
* **Important:** Create a strong, unique password that is difficult to guess. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Step 6: Save Changes
* Click on “Save” to save your new password.
Method 3: Adding and Managing Security Info (Recovery Options)
Adding and regularly updating your security info (recovery email and phone number) is essential for account recovery in case you forget your password or your account is compromised. Here’s how to manage your security info:
Step 1: Sign in to Your Microsoft Account
* Open your web browser.
* Go to the Microsoft account website: [https://account.microsoft.com/](https://account.microsoft.com/)
* Sign in using your current credentials.
Step 2: Access Security Settings
* In the top navigation bar or left-hand menu, click on “Security”.
* Alternatively, you can go directly to: [https://account.microsoft.com/security/](https://account.microsoft.com/security/)
Step 3: Explore Advanced Security Options
* On the “Security” page, look for the section labeled “Advanced security options”.
* Click on “Advanced security options”.
Step 4: Add or Update Security Info
* On the “Advanced security options” page, you’ll see sections for:
* **Ways to prove who you are**: This is where you manage your recovery email address and phone number.
* **Passwordless account**: Allows you to sign in without a password using the Microsoft Authenticator app or Windows Hello.
* **Two-step verification**: Adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code from your phone or authenticator app in addition to your password.
* To add or update a recovery email address or phone number, click on “Add a new way to sign in or verify”.
* Follow the on-screen instructions to add or update the desired security info. Microsoft will send a verification code to the new email address or phone number.
Step 5: Verify Your Security Info
* Check your inbox or phone for the verification code from Microsoft.
* Enter the verification code on the Microsoft account website to confirm that you own the email address or phone number.
Method 4: Two-Factor Authentication (Highly Recommended)
Enabling two-factor authentication (also known as two-step verification) adds an extra layer of security to your account. Even if someone knows your password, they won’t be able to sign in without the second factor.
Step 1: Sign in to Your Microsoft Account
* Open your web browser.
* Go to the Microsoft account website: [https://account.microsoft.com/](https://account.microsoft.com/)
* Sign in using your current credentials.
Step 2: Access Security Settings
* In the top navigation bar or left-hand menu, click on “Security”.
* Alternatively, you can go directly to: [https://account.microsoft.com/security/](https://account.microsoft.com/security/)
Step 3: Explore Advanced Security Options
* On the “Security” page, look for the section labeled “Advanced security options”.
* Click on “Advanced security options”.
Step 4: Turn on Two-Step Verification
* On the “Advanced security options” page, find the “Two-step verification” section.
* Click on the toggle switch to turn on two-step verification.
Step 5: Follow the On-Screen Instructions
* Microsoft will guide you through the process of setting up two-step verification. This typically involves:
* Choosing a verification method: You can use the Microsoft Authenticator app, a different authenticator app, or receive codes via SMS.
* Downloading and setting up the Microsoft Authenticator app (if you choose this method).
* Scanning a QR code with your authenticator app or entering a code provided by Microsoft.
* Verifying your recovery email and phone number.
* Saving backup codes: These codes can be used to sign in if you lose access to your primary verification method. Store these codes in a safe place.
Step 6: Complete Setup
* Once you’ve completed all the steps, click “Done” to finish setting up two-step verification.
Method 5: Dealing with a Hacked Microsoft Account
If you suspect your Microsoft account has been hacked, take immediate action to secure it. Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Change Your Password Immediately
* Follow the steps outlined in Method 2 to change your password.
* Choose a strong, unique password that you haven’t used before.
Step 2: Review Your Account Activity
* Go to the Microsoft account website: [https://account.microsoft.com/](https://account.microsoft.com/)
* Sign in using your (new) credentials.
* Navigate to the “Security” section.
* Review your recent activity, including sign-in attempts, device activity, and any changes to your account information.
* Look for any suspicious activity that you don’t recognize.
Step 3: Secure Your Recovery Information
* Ensure that your recovery email address and phone number are accurate and secure.
* If the hacker has changed your recovery information, update it immediately.
* Add two-factor authentication to your account for added security.
Step 4: Review and Secure Other Connected Accounts
* If you use the same email address and password for other online accounts, change those passwords as well.
* Consider using a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts.
Step 5: Contact Microsoft Support
* If you’re unable to regain control of your account or suspect further malicious activity, contact Microsoft support for assistance.
* You can find contact information on the Microsoft support website.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here are some common issues you might encounter when changing your Microsoft account and how to troubleshoot them:
* **”That Microsoft account doesn’t exist” error:** This usually means you’ve entered the email address or phone number incorrectly. Double-check your spelling and try again. If you’re sure you’re using the correct email address, it’s possible that the account has been deleted or closed. You may need to create a new Microsoft account.
* **Verification code not received:** Check your spam or junk folder. Make sure your phone is able to receive SMS messages. If you still haven’t received the code, try requesting a new one. If you still have issues, ensure the email address or phone number listed for recovery is correct.
* **Unable to change primary alias:** Make sure you have added and verified a new alias before attempting to make it primary. You must have at least one other alias to change the primary one. Also, you cannot remove an alias that’s linked to a subscription, payment option, or other Microsoft service until you change those associations.
* **Account locked due to suspicious activity:** This is a security measure to protect your account. Follow the on-screen instructions to verify your identity and unlock your account. This usually involves entering a code sent to your recovery email address or phone number.
* **Cannot remember password:** If you’ve forgotten your password, click on the “Forgot password?” link on the sign-in page. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password. You’ll need access to your recovery email address or phone number to complete the password reset process.
* **Problem with Microsoft Authenticator app:** Ensure the app is updated to the latest version. Make sure your device’s time is synchronized. If you’re still having issues, try removing and re-adding your Microsoft account to the app.
* **Two-step verification issues:** If you’re having trouble with two-step verification, use your backup codes to sign in. If you don’t have backup codes, you’ll need to use the account recovery process. You may be asked for information to prove that you’re the owner of the account.
Merging Microsoft Accounts (Important Considerations)
While it might seem desirable to merge multiple Microsoft accounts, it’s **not directly possible**. Microsoft does not offer a feature to combine two or more separate Microsoft accounts into a single unified account. However, you *can* manually migrate data and subscriptions from one account to another.
Why Account Merging is Not Possible
* **Data Conflicts:** Each Microsoft account has its own unique user ID, associated data, and configurations. Merging accounts could lead to conflicts and data loss.
* **Subscription and Licensing Issues:** Subscriptions, licenses, and purchases are tied to specific accounts. Automatically transferring these across accounts is complex.
* **Security Concerns:** Merging accounts could create security vulnerabilities if one account is compromised.
Alternatives to Account Merging: Manual Migration
Instead of merging, you can manually move your data and subscriptions from one account (the *old* account) to another (the *new* account).
1. Contacts and Email
* **Export from Old Account:** In Outlook.com or the Outlook desktop app, export your contacts to a CSV file and your emails to a PST file.
* **Import to New Account:** Import the CSV file to your new Outlook.com account to add your contacts. Import the PST file into the Outlook desktop app connected to your new account to access your old emails.
2. OneDrive Files
* **Download from Old Account:** Download all files and folders from your old OneDrive account to your computer.
* **Upload to New Account:** Upload the downloaded files and folders to your new OneDrive account.
3. Office 365 Subscriptions
* **Cancel Old Subscription:** Cancel your Office 365 subscription on the old account.
* **Purchase New Subscription:** Purchase a new Office 365 subscription on the new account. Or, share the subscription from another account if you have a family plan.
4. Xbox and Games
* **Xbox Profile:** Microsoft provides ways to transfer your Xbox profile and purchases to a new account, though this can be complex and may require contacting support.
* **Game Licenses:** Some game licenses are tied to the specific account used to purchase them. Check the terms of each game or app.
5. Other Microsoft Services
* **Skype:** Export your Skype contacts from the old account and import them into the new account.
* **Other Services:** For other Microsoft services, check the specific service’s documentation for options to transfer or migrate data.
Important Considerations Before Migrating
* **Time Commitment:** Manual data migration can be time-consuming, especially if you have a large amount of data.
* **Data Loss:** While rare, there’s always a risk of data loss during migration. Back up your data before starting.
* **Subscription Costs:** You may incur costs for purchasing new subscriptions on the new account.
* **Account Closure:** After migrating all your data, you might consider closing the old Microsoft account to avoid confusion.
Conclusion
Changing your Microsoft account involves several methods, from updating your primary alias to managing your security info and enabling two-factor authentication. While merging accounts isn’t possible, manual migration offers a way to consolidate your data. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently manage and secure your Microsoft account, ensuring a seamless and protected online experience. Remember to always prioritize security and regularly update your account information to stay ahead of potential threats.