Where to find your profile picture setting

Your profile picture in Outlook appears next to your name in the top right corner of the screen, in your email signature, and in your contact card when other people look you up. To change it, click that picture or your name in the top right corner — a small menu will drop down with options including "View account" or "Change profile picture", depending on which version of Outlook you use.

The exact wording and location shift slightly between Outlook on the web (the version you use in a browser), Outlook desktop (the program you read), and Outlook mobile apps. But the principle is the same: find your profile area in the top right, open it, and look for a picture or profile option.

Key Takeaways

  • Click your profile picture or name in the top right corner of Outlook to open the menu where you can change your picture.
  • You can upload a photo from your computer, take a new one with your camera, or remove your picture entirely.
  • The change takes effect when ready in Outlook but may take a few minutes to show up in other people's contact lists.
  • Your profile picture in Outlook is separate from your Microsoft account picture — changing one does not automatically change the other.

Changing your picture in Outlook on the web

Open Outlook in your web browser and look for your profile picture or initials in the top right corner. Click on it. A menu will appear with several options — select "View account" or "Change profile picture" (the exact wording depends on your version). This will take you to your Microsoft account settings.

Once you are in account settings, look for the profile section and click on your current picture or the area where a picture would go. You will see options to upload a photo from your computer, take a photo with your camera if your browser allows it, or remove your current picture. Choose the photo you want, and Outlook will save it automatically.

Changing your picture in Outlook desktop

In the Outlook program on your computer, click your profile picture or name in the top right corner. Select "Change profile picture" from the menu that appears. A window will open where you can browse your computer for an image file.

Select the photo you want to use and click "Open" or "Save". Outlook will crop and resize the image to fit the profile picture format. You can adjust the crop if needed before confirming. The change takes effect right away in your Outlook program, though it may take a few minutes to sync across other devices and services.

Changing your picture on Outlook mobile

On the Outlook app for iPhone or Android, tap the profile icon or menu button (usually three horizontal lines) at the bottom or top of the screen. Look for settings or account options. Tap on your profile picture or name, then select "Change profile picture" or "Edit profile".

You will be given the choice to take a new photo with your phone's camera or select one from your photo library. Choose your image, crop it if the app allows, and confirm. The change will sync to your other Outlook accounts within a few minutes.

What image formats and sizes work best

Outlook accepts common image formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP files all work. The file size should be under 4 MB, though most photos from a phone or camera will be well under that limit. Outlook will automatically resize and crop your image to a square, so choose a photo where your face or the important part of the image is centered.

A headshot or close-up photo works better than a full-body shot or landscape image, since the profile picture appears quite small in most places. Make sure the image is clear and well-lit — blurry or very dark photos can be hard to recognize at small sizes.

Why your picture might not be showing up everywhere

After you change your profile picture in Outlook, it appears when ready in your Outlook account. However, it can take several minutes to an hour for the change to show up in other people's contact lists, in shared calendars, or in other Microsoft services like Teams or SharePoint. This delay happens because those services sync with your profile on a schedule, not when ready.

If you have both an Outlook profile picture and a Microsoft account picture, they are separate. Changing your picture in Outlook does not change your Microsoft account picture, and vice versa. If you want the same picture everywhere, you may need to update both places. Check your Microsoft account settings at account.microsoft.com if you want to change your picture across all Microsoft services at once.

Removing your profile picture

If you want to remove your picture entirely instead of replacing it, click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Change profile picture" or "View account". In the picture settings, look for a "Remove" or "Delete" option. Click it, and Outlook will remove your picture. Your profile will then show your initials instead.

Removing your picture takes effect when ready in Outlook but may take a few minutes to sync to other services. You can add a new picture at any time by following the same steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a picture that is not of me as my profile picture?

Yes. Outlook does not restrict what image you use — it can be a logo, a cartoon, a landscape, or anything else. However, if you use Outlook for work, your organization may have policies about profile pictures. Check with your IT department or manager if you are unsure.

Will changing my Outlook picture change my picture in Microsoft Teams?

Not automatically. Outlook and Teams pull from the same Microsoft account in some cases, but they can also have separate pictures. If you want the same picture in both, you may need to update your Microsoft account picture at account.microsoft.com, which will sync across services. Otherwise, you may need to change the picture in Teams separately.

What if I upload a picture and it gets cropped in a way I do not like?

Most versions of Outlook let you adjust the crop before you save. Look for a crop tool or adjustment slider after you select your image. Drag the image or the crop box to center the part you want to show. If you cannot adjust the crop, try uploading the image again or using a photo editor on your computer to crop it before uploading.

How long does it take for my new picture to show up for other people?

Your picture appears when ready in your own Outlook account. Other people will see it within a few minutes to an hour, depending on how often their contact list syncs with your profile. If someone has you saved as a contact with an old picture, their device may keep showing the old one until they refresh or delete and re-add your contact.

Can I change my profile picture if I forgot my password?

You will need to sign into your Outlook account to change your picture, so you cannot do it without your password. If you forgot your password, go to account.microsoft.com and select "Can't access your account". Follow the steps to verify your identity and reset your password, then you can sign back into Outlook and change your picture.