Microsoft Account Aliases - Add or Remove

Brink · Apr 23, 2013

How to Add or Remove Aliases for your Microsoft Account

Information

Microsoft account is the new name for what used to be called a "Windows Live ID." Your Microsoft account is the combination of an email address and a password that you use to sign in to Windows 8 or services like Hotmail, Messenger/Skype, SkyDrive, Windows Phone, Xbox LIVE, Zune, Office Live, and Outlook.com. If you use an email address and password to sign in to these or other services, you already have a Microsoft account—but you can also sign up for a new one at any time.

Microsoft account lets you use a single account for many email addresses. Each of these email addresses is called an alias.

An alias is an additional email address that uses the same inbox, contact list, and account settings as the primary alias. You can sign in to your Microsoft account with any alias—they all use the same password. You can send email from an alias whether you’re using Outlook.com, a mail app like Outlook or devices such as a phone.

Your Microsoft account's primary alias appears on Microsoft devices, such as the Windows 8 PC, Xbox, or phone. While you can change your primary alias, the best option for most people is to simply add a new alias.

For Aliases FAQs, see:

Aliases and rename in Outlook.com - Microsoft Windows Help

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove aliases (email addresses) for your Microsoft account.

Note

Your Hotmail.com, Live.com, or MSN.com email address works on Outlook.com—there's no need to change your address or get a new one. However, if you want to use an @outlook.com address, the best way is to add an alias to your existing account.

You can create up to ten new aliases per year, for an overall maximum of ten. Deleting an alias removes it from the overall count, but not the yearly limit.

OPTION ONE

To Add an Alias to your Microsoft Account

1. Go to the Microsoft account summary webpage, and sign in to your Microsoft account if not already.

NOTE: You will need to have cookies enabled.

2. If this PC or device is not a trusted device, then you will be prompted to enter and submit a security code sent to your phone or alternate email address. (see screenshots below)

3. In Internet Explorer, or your default web browser, click/tap on the Add or change aliases link under Account aliases. (see screenshot below)

4. Click/tap on Add alias. (see screenshot below)

5. Do step 6 or 7 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)

6. To Create a New Email Address and Add it as an Alias

A) Select (dot) Create a new email address an add it as an alias. (see screenshot below step 5)

B) Select if you want a new hotmail.com, live.com, or outlook.com address. (see screenshot below step 5)

C) Type in a name you want, and click/tap on Add alias. (see screenshot below step 5)

D) You've added an alias to your Microsoft account. (see screenshot below)

7. To Add an Existing Email Address as a Microsoft Account Alias

NOTE: You can use any existing valid email address (ex: gmail, live, outlook, etc...) of yours that you like.

A) Select (dot) Use an existing email address as a Microsoft alias, type in the email address you want to use, and click/tap on Add alias. (see screenshot below step 5)

B) You've added an alias to your Microsoft account. Check your email. You will receive an email notification to your alternate email address in your Microsoft Account profile to click/tap on the verify link in the email to verify the newly added alias email address. (see screenshot below)

Note

You must verify the newly added alias before you will be able to use it.

Note

If you did not receive the verify email from the Microsoft account team, then you can click/tap on the verify link under the newly added alias to have another one sent to your alternate email address.

C) If successful, your alias has been verified. (see screenshot below)

OPTION TWO

To Remove an Alias from your Microsoft Account

Warning

Before removing the alias email address, be completely certain that you don't use it anywhere else. Do you use this address as the contact mail for Facebook, financial institutions, or other accounts? If so, go to those accounts and change your email address to one you still use.

If you remove this alias, you won't be able to use it to send or receive email (though your existing mail will remain in your Outlook.com inbox). In addition, you won't be able to receive invitations, notifications, or alerts at this address.

1. Go to the Microsoft account summary webpage, and sign in to your Microsoft account if not already.

NOTE: You will need to have cookies enabled.

2. If this PC or device is not a trusted device, then you will be prompted to enter and submit a security code sent to your phone or alternate email address. (see screenshots below)

3. In Internet Explorer, or your default web browser, click/tap on the Add or change aliases link under Account aliases. (see screenshot below)

4. Click/tap on Remove under the alias email address you want to remove from your Microsoft account. (see screenshot below)

5. Click/tap on Remove alias to confirm. (see screenshot below)

6. You've removed the alias from your Microsoft account. (see screenshot below)

That's it,
Shawn

Microsoft Account Aliases - Add or Remove

To Add an Alias to your Microsoft Account

To Remove an Alias from your Microsoft Account

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