Where to find your profile picture in Outlook

Your profile picture in Outlook appears in the top right corner of the screen, next to your name. It is the small circular image that shows when you open Outlook on your computer or phone. Clicking on it opens a menu where you can change it, along with other account settings.

The exact location depends on which version of Outlook you use. In Outlook on the web (the version you access through a browser), the picture sits in the very top right. In Outlook desktop (the program installed on your computer), it is also in the top right, but the menu that opens looks slightly different. On Outlook mobile, it appears at the bottom of the screen in the navigation menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Your profile picture is stored in your Microsoft account, not just in Outlook, so changing it affects all Microsoft services you use.
  • You can upload a photo from your computer, take a new one with your camera, or remove the picture entirely.
  • The change takes effect when ready in Outlook but may take a few minutes to show up for other people who email you.
  • If you use Outlook at work, your organization may restrict picture changes, and you should check with your IT department first.

Changing your picture in Outlook on the web

Open Outlook in your web browser and sign in with your Microsoft account. Look for the circular image or initial in the top right corner of the page. Click on it to open a dropdown menu.

Select View account or My account from the menu that appears. This takes you to your Microsoft account settings page. On the left side, you should see an option for Your info or Profile. Click that, and you will see your current picture displayed prominently. Below or next to it, there will be a button that says Add photo, Change photo, or Edit. Click that button to proceed.

A window will open asking you to choose a photo. You can select Upload photo to pick an image from your computer, or Take photo if your device has a camera. Once you choose or take a photo, you may be asked to crop it to fit the circular frame. Drag the corners or edges to frame your face or the part of the image you want to show. When you are satisfied, click Save or Done.

Changing your picture in Outlook desktop

Open Outlook on your computer. In the top right corner, you will see your profile picture or your initials in a circle. Click on it to open a small menu.

Look for an option that says Change photo, Edit profile, or a pencil icon next to your picture. Click that option. A window will open with the same choices as the web version: upload a photo from your computer or take a new one with your camera. Select the image you want, crop it if needed, and click Save.

If you do not see a change photo option in the menu, try right-clicking on your picture instead. Some versions of Outlook show the option this way. If that does not work, you can also change your picture through your Microsoft account settings by opening a web browser, going to account.microsoft.com, and following the steps listed in the web section above.

Changing your picture on Outlook mobile

Open the Outlook app on your phone. At the bottom of the screen, tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines or dots). Look for your name and profile picture at the top of the menu that opens.

Tap on your picture or name to open your account settings. You should see an option to Edit profile or Change photo. Tap that option. Your phone will ask whether you want to take a new photo with your camera or choose one from your photo library. Select whichever you prefer, then crop and save the image.

What happens after you change your picture

The change takes effect when ready in your own Outlook account. You will see the new picture the next time you open Outlook or refresh the page. However, other people may not see the new picture right away. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours for the change to show up in other people's inboxes or contact lists, depending on how often their Outlook syncs with Microsoft's servers.

If you change your picture and then send an email, the recipient will see your old picture attached to that message for a short time. This is normal and does not mean the change did not work. The new picture will appear on future emails and in their contacts once the sync completes.

Removing your picture or troubleshooting problems

If you want to remove your picture entirely and go back to showing just your initials, open your profile settings the same way you would to change the picture. Instead of selecting a new photo, look for a Remove photo, Delete photo, or trash icon option. Click that to remove the image.

If you change your picture but it does not appear after several hours, try signing out of Outlook completely and signing back in. This forces Outlook to refresh your account information. If you are using Outlook desktop, you can also try restarting the program. If the problem persists, clear your browser cache if you use Outlook on the web, or uninstall and reinstall the Outlook app if you use mobile.

If you work for an organization that uses Outlook through a company account, your IT department may have disabled picture changes. If you cannot find the option to change your picture, or if you see a message saying the feature is not available, contact your IT support team. They can tell you whether the restriction is intentional and whether they can enable it for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my Outlook picture change my picture on other Microsoft services?

Yes. Your profile picture is tied to your Microsoft account, so changing it in Outlook also changes it in OneDrive, Teams, Skype, and any other Microsoft service you use. If you want different pictures for different services, you would need to use separate Microsoft accounts.

Can I use a picture that is not of my face?

Yes. You can use any image you want — a logo, a landscape, an illustration, or anything else. There are no restrictions on what kind of picture you upload. However, if you use Outlook for work, your organization may have guidelines about what is appropriate for a professional profile picture.

What image formats does Outlook accept?

Outlook accepts common image formats including JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP. Most photos from your phone or camera are already in one of these formats. If you have an image in a different format, you can convert it using free online tools or image editing software before uploading.

Why does my picture look blurry or stretched after I upload it?

This usually happens if the original image is very small or if you did not crop it properly when uploading. Try using a larger, higher-quality image, or take a new photo with your phone camera instead. When you crop the image, make sure your face or the main subject fills most of the circular frame.

Can I change my picture if I forgot my password?

No. You need to sign in to your Microsoft account to change your picture. If you forgot your password, you will need to reset it first by going to account.microsoft.com and selecting Can't access your account. Microsoft will walk you through verifying your identity and creating a new password.