How to Change Email Address of Your Microsoft Account in Windows 8 and 8.1
InformationMicrosoft 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:
This tutorial will show you how to change or update the "primary alias" email address of your Microsoft account in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.
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:
This tutorial will show you how to change or update the "primary alias" email address of your Microsoft account in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.
NoteWhen you change (rename) to a new primary alias email address for your Microsoft account, you don't lose your old alias and you keep all of your data - such as your inbox, profile information, and contacts. The email address of the old primary alias will still be listed as an alias for your Microsoft account, but just no longer the primary alias. You can still use the old primary alias email address to sign in and send and receive mail.
It will take an hour or more for the email rename to be finalized. You will receive an email notification to the alternate email address in your Microsoft Account profile to notify you that the change has occurred.
It might take up to 48 hours for your new primary alias email address to appear across all devices and services. Also, some of your friends might appear offline until they sign out and sign back in.
It will take an hour or more for the email rename to be finalized. You will receive an email notification to the alternate email address in your Microsoft Account profile to notify you that the change has occurred.
It might take up to 48 hours for your new primary alias email address to appear across all devices and services. Also, some of your friends might appear offline until they sign out and sign back in.
Here's How:
1. Do either step 2, 3, or 4 below for what method you would like to use.
2. To Go Directly to Your Microsoft Account Settings Online from any Computer
A) Click/tap on the link below to sign in to your Microsoft "Account summary" page, and go to step 5 below.
3. Use "PC Settings" while Signed in to Your Microsoft Account in Windows 8
NOTE: This step is for Windows 8 and Windows RT editions.
A) Open PC settings, click/tap on Users on the left side, click/tap on the More account settings online link at the top of the right side, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
4. Use "PC Settings" while Signed in to Your Microsoft Account in Windows 8.1
NOTE: This step is for Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 editions.
A) Open PC settings, and click/tap on Accounts on the left side. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on Your account on the right side, click/tap on the More account settings online link at the top of the right side, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
5. 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)
6. In Internet Explorer, or your default web browser, click/tap on the Add or change aliases link under Account aliases. (see screenshot below)
7. Click/tap on Rename under your (primary alias). (see screenshot below)
NoteYou will not be able to use any email addresses that are currently added as an alias for your Microsoft account listed under "Account aliases" in the screenshot below.
If you wish to make one of your current aliases the primary alias, then you will need to remove it as an alias first, then use step 11 or 12 below to add it as your primary alias.
If you wish to make one of your current aliases the primary alias, then you will need to remove it as an alias first, then use step 11 or 12 below to add it as your primary alias.
8. Click/tap on Yes, rename my primary alias. (see screenshot below)
9. Sign in to your Microsoft account with your new email address and password. You can close the web browser when finished. (see screenshot below)
10. Do step 11 or 12 below for what you would like to do.
11. To Create a New Email Address to Use as your Primary Alias
A) Select (dot) Create a new email address as your primary alias. (see screenshot below)
B) Select if you want a new hotmail.com, live.com, or outlook.com address.
C) Type in a name you want, click/tap on Rename primary alias, and go to step 13 below.
12. To Use an Existing Email Address as your Primary 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 your primary alias, type in the email address you want to use, and click/tap on Rename primary alias. (see screenshot below)
B) Check your email. You will receive an email notification to your alternate email address in your Microsoft Account profile to notify you that the change has occurred. You do not need to do anything unless it's not correct. (see screenshot below)
C) Go to step 13 below.
13. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
14. Switch to a local account using the user name it gives you.
15. Switch to a Microsoft account using your new primary alias email address from step 11 or 12 above.
That's it,
Shawn
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