What happens when you change your Microsoft account name
When you change your name in Microsoft Account, you are updating the display name that appears to other people and in your Microsoft services — Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox, and others. This is different from changing your email address or password. The name change takes effect when ready in most places, though it can take a few hours to show up everywhere Microsoft services are connected.
You can change your name yourself through your account settings without calling anyone or waiting for approval. The process takes about five minutes. Your email address stays the same, so people can still reach you at the same inbox.
Key Takeaways
- You change your display name by signing into account.microsoft.com, going to Your Info, and editing the name field directly.
- The name change shows up right away on your profile but may take a few hours to appear in Outlook, OneDrive, and other connected services.
- Changing your name does not affect your email address, password, or any files you have stored.
- If you cannot access your account or forgot your password, you will need to recover your account first before you can change your name.
Step-by-step: changing your display name
Go to account.microsoft.com in any web browser and sign in with your email and password. Once you are signed in, look for a section called "Your Info" or "Account" in the left menu — the exact wording depends on which version of the account page you see.
Click on "Your Info" or "Edit profile". You will see a field with your current name. Click directly on the name or look for an "Edit" button next to it. Type your new name into the field. Microsoft accepts first and last names, and you can include middle names or initials if you want. Click "Save" or "Done" when you are finished.
The change takes effect when ready on your account profile. However, the new name may not show up in Outlook, Teams, or other Microsoft apps for a few hours. If you are using Microsoft on your phone or computer, you may need to sign out and sign back in to see the change reflected.
What you cannot change through the name field
Your email address (the part before @outlook.com or @hotmail.com) is separate from your display name and cannot be changed through this process. If you need a different email address, you will need to create a new Microsoft account or add an alias to your existing account.
Your username for Xbox Live, Skype, or other Microsoft gaming and communication services may be different from your account display name. Changing your account name does not automatically change those usernames. You will need to change those separately in each service's own settings if you want them to match.
If you cannot sign into your account
If you have forgotten your password or cannot access your email, you will not be able to reach account.microsoft.com to change your name. Microsoft has a recovery process that asks you to verify your identity using a backup email, phone number, or security questions you set up earlier.
Go to account.live.com/password/reset and follow the prompts to recover your account. You will need to answer security questions or receive a code on a backup phone number or email. Once you have regained access, you can then go to account.microsoft.com and change your name using the steps above.
Why your name might not change everywhere at once
Microsoft services are not all connected to the same real-time system. Your display name updates when ready on your profile page, but Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, and Xbox may take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to show the new name. This is normal and not a sign that something went wrong.
If you have shared files or folders with other people, they will see your new name the next time they open those files or refresh their view. Old emails you sent before the name change will still show your old name, because those messages are stored with the name you had at the time you sent them.
Changing your name on a work or school account
If your Microsoft account is managed by your employer or school, you may not be able to change your display name yourself. Work and school accounts are often controlled by an administrator who sets policies about what can and cannot be changed. Trying to change your name may result in an error message or the change may be overwritten by the administrator's settings.
If you see an error or your name keeps reverting to the old one, contact your IT department or school tech support. They can tell you whether name changes are allowed and make the change for you if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my name affect my email address?
No. Your email address (like yourname@outlook.com) stays exactly the same. Only the display name that appears in your profile and messages changes. People can still send you emails at your original address.
Will my old name still appear in emails I already sent?
Yes. Emails you sent before the name change will show your old name in the "From" field, because that is what your name was when you sent them. Only new emails you send after the change will show your new name.
Can I change my name back to what it was before?
Yes. You can change your name as many times as you want by going back to account.microsoft.com and editing the name field again. There is no limit on how many times you can make this change.
What if I see an error message when I try to save my new name?
Microsoft may reject names that contain only numbers, special characters, or offensive language. Try using a standard first and last name format. If you still see an error, your account may be managed by an organization, or there may be a temporary issue with the service. Wait a few minutes and try again.
How long does it take for the name change to show up in Outlook?
Usually a few minutes to a few hours. If it has been more than a day and your new name still does not appear in Outlook, try signing out of the Outlook app or website and signing back in. This forces the app to refresh your account information.