Change your Microsoft username through account settings

You can change the username on your Microsoft account (sometimes called MSP or Microsoft Passport) by going to your account settings and updating your display name or email address. The exact steps depend on whether you want to change your display name (what appears to other people) or your sign-in email (what you use to log in). Both changes happen in the same place, but they do different things.

Microsoft lets you change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period. Changing your sign-in email is more restricted — you can only do it once per year, and only if you add a new email address to your account first. If you have not changed your sign-in email in the past year, you can do it now. If you changed it recently, you will have to wait until the anniversary date.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name (what others see) can be changed anytime by going to account.microsoft.com, selecting "Your info," and editing the name field.
  • Your sign-in email (what you use to log in) can only be changed once per year, and you must add a new email address to your account before you can switch to it.
  • After you change your sign-in email, you will log in with the new address on all devices, but your old email will still work for password recovery for 30 days.
  • Games and apps linked to your Microsoft account will continue to work after you change your username, but you may need to sign out and back in on some devices.

Steps to change your display name

Go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with your current Microsoft account email and password. Once you are signed in, look for the section labeled "Your info" or "Account info" on the left side of the page.

Click on "Your info" and find the field that shows your current name. Click the "Edit name" button or pencil icon next to it. Type in the new name you want to use — this is what will show up to other people when you play games, use apps, or interact on Microsoft services. Click "Save" when you are done. The change takes effect right away, though it may take a few minutes to show up everywhere.

Steps to change your sign-in email

If you want to change the email address you use to log in (not just your display name), start at account.microsoft.com and sign in. Go to "Your info" and look for a section called "Email addresses" or "Account email." You will see your current sign-in email listed.

Click "Add email" or the plus icon to add a new email address to your account. Microsoft will send a confirmation code to that new email. Go to the inbox of the new email address, find the message from Microsoft, and enter the code on the account page. Once the new email is confirmed, go back to your email settings and select the new address as your primary sign-in email. You can only do this once per year, so make sure the new email is one you will keep using.

After you switch your sign-in email, you will log in with the new address on all your devices. Your old email will still work for password recovery for 30 days, then it will be removed from your account entirely. If you change your mind within those 30 days, you can switch back to your old email as your sign-in address.

What happens to your games and apps after you change your username

Games and apps that are linked to your Microsoft account will continue to work after you change your username. Your game saves, achievements, and in-game progress are tied to your account ID, not your username, so they stay with you no matter what name you use.

On some devices, you may need to sign out of your Microsoft account and sign back in after changing your username. This is especially true on Xbox, Windows 10 or 11 computers, and phones. The sign-out and sign-in usually takes less than a minute and forces the device to refresh your account information. If you do not sign out and back in, the old username may still show up on that device until you restart it.

Changing your username on specific games or apps

Some games and apps let you set a separate username that is different from your Microsoft account name. For example, Minecraft Java Edition has its own username system separate from your Microsoft account. If you want to change a username within a specific game, you usually have to go into that game's settings or account page, not your Microsoft account settings.

Check the game or app's help section or settings menu to see if it has its own username field. Many games let you change this username once for free, then charge a small fee for additional changes. Your Microsoft account name and your in-game username are separate things, so changing one does not automatically change the other.

Troubleshooting: username changes that did not work

If you changed your display name but it is still showing the old name in a game or app, try signing out completely and signing back in. Some apps cache your account information and do not refresh it until you sign out. Close the app entirely (not just minimize it), wait a few seconds, then open it again and sign in.

If you changed your sign-in email and you cannot log in with the new address, make sure you are using the exact email you set as primary. Check for extra spaces or typos. If you are still locked out, go to account.microsoft.com/security and use the "I forgot my password" option — Microsoft will send a recovery code to your backup email or phone number.

If you see an error saying you cannot change your sign-in email because you changed it recently, you have hit the once-per-year limit. You will have to wait until one year from the date of your last change. You can still change your display name as many times as you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes. You can change your display name as many times as you want with no waiting period. If you changed your sign-in email and want to switch back to your old one, you can do that within 30 days of the change. After 30 days, your old email is removed from your account and you cannot use it as your sign-in email again unless you add it back as a new email address.

Will changing my username log me out of my devices?

Changing your display name will not log you out. Changing your sign-in email may require you to sign out and back in on some devices like Xbox or Windows computers. You will need to enter your new email and password to sign back in. Your game saves and progress will not be affected.

Does changing my Microsoft username change my Gamertag on Xbox?

No. Your Gamertag is a separate username that you set on Xbox. Changing your Microsoft account name does not change your Gamertag. You can change your Gamertag through Xbox settings, and it costs money after your first free change. Your Microsoft account name and Gamertag are two different things.

What if I forgot my password and need to change my sign-in email?

Go to account.microsoft.com/security and select "I forgot my password." Microsoft will send a recovery code to your backup email or phone number. Once you regain access to your account, you can then add a new email and change your sign-in email following the steps above.