What you need to know before changing your username

Your Microsoft username is the email address you use to sign in to Windows, Outlook, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services. Changing it is straightforward, but the process depends on whether you want to change your sign-in email, your display name, or both. Microsoft treats these as separate changes, and each one works differently.

If you want a new email address to sign in with, you'll add a new email to your account first, then make it your primary sign-in address. If you only want to change how your name appears to other people (in Outlook, Teams, or shared documents), you change your display name instead. Most people need to do one or the other, not both.

Before you start, make sure you have access to your current email address and any recovery email or phone number you set up with your account. Microsoft will send a verification code to confirm the change, and you'll need to be able to receive it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your sign-in email and your display name are separate things — changing one does not change the other.
  • To change your sign-in email, you add a new email address to your Microsoft account, verify it, then set it as primary.
  • To change how your name appears to others, you edit your display name in your Microsoft account settings.
  • You must have access to your current email address to verify any changes Microsoft asks you to confirm.
  • After you change your sign-in email, you can remove the old one, but Microsoft recommends keeping it as a recovery option.

How to add and switch to a new sign-in email

Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with your current email and password. On the left side, select Your info. Under the section labeled Email addresses, you'll see your current sign-in email listed.

Click Add email and enter the new email address you want to use. Microsoft will send a verification code to that new address. Open the email, copy the code, and paste it back into the Microsoft website to confirm you own that address. Once verified, the new email appears in your email list.

Now select the new email address and click Make primary. This sets it as your sign-in email. From that point forward, you'll use the new email address to sign in to Windows, Outlook, and all other Microsoft services. Your old email address stays on your account as a recovery option unless you remove it.

How to change your display name

Your display name is what appears next to your messages in Outlook, your profile in Teams, and your name on shared OneDrive files. It is separate from your sign-in email. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and select Your info.

Look for the section labeled Manage your Microsoft account or Personal info. You'll see a field with your current name. Click Edit name or the pencil icon next to your name. Type in the new name you want to display, then click Save. The change takes effect when ready in most Microsoft services, though it may take a few hours to show everywhere.

What happens to your old email address

After you switch to a new sign-in email, your old email address remains attached to your account. Microsoft recommends keeping it there because it serves as a recovery option if you ever lose access to your new email. If you forget your password or get locked out, Microsoft can send a recovery code to your old email address.

If you want to remove the old email completely, go back to account.microsoft.com, select Your info, find the old email in your email list, and click Remove. You can only remove an email address if you have at least one other email on your account. Once removed, you cannot use that old email to sign in anymore, and it will not work as a recovery option.

Signing in on Windows after changing your email

If you use your Microsoft account to sign in to Windows, you'll need to update your sign-in method after changing your email. The next time you restart your computer, Windows may ask you to sign in again with your new email address. If it does not, you can change it manually.

On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info. Look for a button that says Sign in with a Microsoft account instead or Change account. Follow the prompts to sign in with your new email address. Windows will then use the new email for all future sign-ins.

Changing your username in Outlook and other apps

If you use Outlook on your computer or phone, you may need to update your account there as well. Open Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings, find your Microsoft account, and click Change. Enter your new email address and password, then click Next to update it.

On a phone or tablet, remove the account from the Outlook app and add it again with your new email address. Go to Settings > Accounts, select your Microsoft account, tap Remove account, then tap Add account and sign in with your new email. Other Microsoft apps like OneDrive and Teams will usually update automatically once you sign in with your new email.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you cannot add a new email because it is already linked to another Microsoft account, you'll need to remove it from that other account first. Sign in to the account that currently owns the email, go to account.microsoft.com > Your info, and remove the email address. Wait a few minutes, then try adding it to your main account.

If you do not receive the verification code, check your spam or junk folder. If it is not there, click Resend code on the Microsoft website. If you still do not receive it, make sure the email address you entered is spelled correctly. Some email providers delay Microsoft messages, so wait a few minutes before requesting a new code.

If you are locked out of your account and cannot sign in with either your old or new email, go to account.live.com/password/reset. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number you set up previously. Follow those steps to regain access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username to something that is not an email address?

No. Microsoft requires your sign-in username to be an email address. You can change your display name (how your name appears to others), but your sign-in email must always be a valid email address. If you want a different display name, use the display name option in your account settings instead.

What if I do not have access to my old email anymore?

If your old email is no longer active or you cannot receive messages there, you can still change your sign-in email. Add your new email address to your account, verify it using a code sent to that new address, and make it primary. You can then remove the old email. If you are locked out of your account entirely, use the account recovery process at account.live.com/password/reset and verify your identity with a phone number or recovery email you set up before.

Will changing my username affect my files or subscriptions?

No. Your files in OneDrive, your Microsoft 365 subscription, your Outlook emails, and your game saves all stay with your account. Changing your sign-in email does not delete anything or cancel any subscriptions. Everything remains tied to your Microsoft account; only the email address you use to sign in changes.

How long does it take for the change to show up everywhere?

Your new sign-in email takes effect when ready on account.microsoft.com and Windows. Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive usually update within a few minutes. Some services may take up to a few hours to reflect the change everywhere. If you see your old email still showing in an app after a few hours, try signing out and signing back in.

Can I have two sign-in emails at the same time?

No. You can have multiple email addresses attached to your account, but only one can be your primary sign-in email at a time. The others serve as recovery options or alternate ways to contact you. If you want to switch between two emails for signing in, you change which one is marked as primary in your account settings.