What changing your OneDrive username actually means

OneDrive does not have a separate username field the way some apps do. Your OneDrive account is tied to your Microsoft account — the email address and password you use to sign in. If you want a different name associated with your OneDrive files and folders, you have two real options: change your Microsoft account display name (which affects OneDrive, Outlook, Teams, and other Microsoft apps), or change the email address linked to your Microsoft account itself.

Most people want to change their display name — the name that shows up when you share a file or when someone sees your profile. That takes about two minutes. Changing the email address tied to your account is more involved and affects everything you use that email for, so it is worth understanding the difference before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • Your OneDrive display name is separate from your login email and can be changed in your Microsoft account settings in under two minutes.
  • Changing your Microsoft account email address is a longer process that affects all Microsoft services tied to that account, not just OneDrive.
  • The display name change shows up when ready in OneDrive, shared files, and other Microsoft apps, but does not change how you sign in.
  • If you want to use a completely different email to sign in to OneDrive, you will need to add it as an alias first, then make it your primary email.

How to change your OneDrive display name in two minutes

Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with your current Microsoft account email and password. Click Your info in the left menu. You will see your current name displayed at the top of the page.

Click Edit name (or the pencil icon next to your name). Type your new first and last name in the fields provided. Click Next, then Save. The change takes effect when ready. The next time you open OneDrive, your new name will appear in the top right corner and on any files you share.

How to change the email address you use to sign in to OneDrive

If you want to sign into OneDrive with a different email address entirely, you need to add that email as an alias to your Microsoft account first. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and click Your info. Scroll down to find Manage your Microsoft account or Email and accounts (the exact wording varies by region).

Click Add email or Add alias. Enter the new email address you want to use. Microsoft will send a confirmation link to that email — click it to verify. Once verified, return to your account settings and make this new email your primary alias. You can then sign into OneDrive using either email address, though Microsoft recommends using the primary one going forward.

If you want to remove the old email entirely, you can delete it as an alias once the new one is set as primary. However, keep the old one active for at least a few days in case you need to recover access or update other services that still use it.

What happens to your OneDrive files when you change your username

Your files stay exactly where they are. Changing your display name or email does not move, delete, or reorganize any files in your OneDrive. Shared files remain shared with the same people. The only visible change is that your name appears differently in sharing notifications and on your profile.

If you shared files with specific people before the change, they will see your new name the next time they open OneDrive or refresh their browser. The sharing link itself does not change — people who have the link can still access the file.

Changing your username on a phone or tablet

You can change your display name from the OneDrive mobile app, but the process is slightly different. Open the OneDrive app on your phone or tablet and tap the profile icon (usually a circle with your initials or photo) in the top left or bottom right corner. Tap Your info or Account. Look for Edit profile or Edit name.

Type your new name and tap Save. The change syncs to your account within a few minutes. If you do not see an edit option in the app, open a web browser, go to account.microsoft.com, and make the change there — it will show up in the app automatically.

Troubleshooting: your name did not change in OneDrive

If you changed your display name but it still shows the old one in OneDrive, sign out completely and sign back in. Close the OneDrive app entirely (not just minimize it), wait 10 seconds, and reopen it. On Windows, you may need to restart your computer for the change to appear in File Explorer.

If you changed your email address and can no longer sign in, make sure you are using the new primary email. If you added an email as an alias but did not make it primary, the old email is still your sign-in address. Go back to account.microsoft.com on a device where you are still signed in, find your email aliases, and confirm which one is marked as primary.

When to change your username versus your email address

Change your display name if you want people to see a different name when you share files or collaborate — for example, if you used a nickname before and now want your full legal name, or vice versa. This is quick and does not affect how you sign in.

Change your email address if you no longer use the current one, if it is compromised, or if you want to consolidate multiple Microsoft accounts. This is more disruptive because it affects Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, and any other service tied to that email. Plan for it to take a few days and update any services or contacts that use the old address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my OneDrive username without changing my Microsoft account?

Your OneDrive username is your Microsoft account display name. You can change the display name without changing your email or password — that is the quickest option. If you mean you want a completely different email to sign in with, you will need to add and verify a new email address in your Microsoft account settings first.

Will changing my username affect shared files or permissions?

No. Files you shared before the change remain shared with the same people. The sharing link does not change. People will see your new name in notifications and when they view your profile, but they keep access to the files.

What if I forgot the email address tied to my OneDrive account?

Go to account.microsoft.com and click Sign in. If you do not remember your email, click Can't access your account and follow the recovery steps. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using a phone number or backup email you provided when you created the account.

Can I have two different OneDrive accounts with different usernames?

Yes. You can add a second Microsoft account to your device and sign into OneDrive with both. Each account has its own OneDrive storage and display name. On Windows, use Settings > Accounts > Other people to add another account. On a phone, open the OneDrive app, tap your profile icon, and select Add account.

Does changing my username change my OneDrive storage or subscription?

No. Your storage limit and any paid subscription (Microsoft 365, OneDrive 100 GB plan, etc.) stay the same. Changing your name or email does not affect your plan or how much space you have.