Where to change your MSP username

You change your Microsoft account username (also called your Microsoft account email) through the Microsoft account website, not through Xbox, Outlook, or any game launcher. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with your current credentials, and look for "Your info" or "Account settings" in the left menu. The email address shown there is what you use to sign in everywhere — that's what you're changing.

Microsoft lets you add a new email address to your account and then make it your primary one, or you can change to a completely different email if you prefer. Both paths take about the same time and don't affect your games, saves, or subscriptions — they stay attached to your account no matter what email you use to sign in.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Microsoft account email at account.microsoft.com under "Your info" or "Account settings", not through Xbox or game apps.
  • You can add a new email address and promote it to primary, or replace your current email entirely — both keep your games and subscriptions intact.
  • If you add a new email first, you'll receive a confirmation link that you must click before the change takes effect.
  • After you change your username, you sign in with the new email on all devices, but your Game Pass, achievements, and game library don't move or reset.

Adding a new email address to your account

The safest way to change your username is to add a new email first, confirm it works, and then make it primary. Sign in at account.microsoft.com, go to "Your info", and look for "Manage your Microsoft account" or "Email and phone". Click "Add email" or the plus icon next to your current email. Type the new email address you want to use.

Microsoft will send a confirmation code to that new email address. Open that email, find the code (usually a six-digit number or a link), and enter it back on the Microsoft website. Once confirmed, that new email is now part of your account. You can still sign in with your old email at this point — the change isn't final until you make the new one primary.

Making the new email your primary username

After you've confirmed the new email, go back to "Your info" and find the email list. You should see both your old and new email addresses. Look for an option to "Make primary" or "Set as primary" next to the new one, and click it. Microsoft may ask you to confirm this choice or sign in again for security.

Once the new email is primary, that becomes your official Microsoft account username. You can now sign in to Xbox, Outlook, Windows, or any Microsoft service using the new email. Your old email address stays attached to the account in case you need it, but you won't use it to sign in anymore.

Removing your old email after the switch

Once the new email is primary and you've signed in successfully a few times with it, you can remove the old email if you want. Go back to "Your info", find the old email in your list, and select "Remove" or the trash icon. Microsoft will ask you to confirm — this step is permanent, so make sure you're ready.

You don't have to remove the old email. Keeping it on your account can be useful if you ever lose access to the new one, because you can use it to recover your account. Many people add a backup email and leave it there for that reason.

What happens to your games and subscriptions

Changing your username does not affect Game Pass, Xbox Game Pass for PC, your game library, achievements, or any saves. All of those stay tied to your account itself, not to the email address. When you sign in with your new email on Xbox, your console, or a game, everything you owned before is still there.

If you play on multiple devices, you'll need to sign in with the new email on each one. On Xbox consoles, you can keep your old email signed in on a different profile if someone else in your household uses it — the account change only affects the profile you're updating.

Troubleshooting a stuck or failed change

If you don't receive the confirmation email for your new address, check your spam folder first. If it's not there, go back to account.microsoft.com, try adding the email again, and request a new code. Sometimes the email takes a few minutes to arrive.

If you can't find the "Make primary" option, make sure you've clicked the confirmation link in the email Microsoft sent. The new email won't show as an option to make primary until it's fully confirmed. If you're still stuck, sign out completely, wait a few minutes, and sign back in — sometimes the account needs a moment to sync the change across Microsoft's servers.

Changing to a completely different email instead

If you don't want to keep your old email on the account at all, you can replace it directly. In "Your info", look for an option to "Change email" or "Edit" next to your current email. Some accounts show this as a single button rather than an "add then promote" flow. Click it, type your new email, and Microsoft will send a confirmation code to that new address.

Enter the code to confirm, and your old email is removed and replaced in one step. This is faster if you're certain about the new email and don't need a backup. The result is the same — you sign in with the new email everywhere, and your games and subscriptions don't change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Xbox achievements or game saves disappear if I change my username?

No. Your achievements, saves, and game library are attached to your Microsoft account, not to the email address. When you sign in with your new email, everything is still there. You might see a brief sync delay on some devices, but nothing is lost or reset.

Can I change my username back to my old email if I change my mind?

Yes, as long as you kept the old email on your account. Go back to "Your info", find the old email in your list, and make it primary again. If you removed the old email completely, you can add it back and then make it primary, but you'll need to confirm it again first.

Do I have to change my password when I change my username?

No. Your password and your email address are separate. Changing your email doesn't affect your password, and you don't need to change it unless you think your account has been compromised. You'll still use the same password to sign in, just with the new email.

What if someone else in my household uses my old email to sign in?

After you change your primary email, the old email can't be used to sign in to your account anymore. If someone else needs to use it, they'll have to sign in with their own Microsoft account. You can keep both accounts on a shared device — just make sure each person signs in with their own email.

How long does it take for the username change to work everywhere?

The change is usually when ready on the Microsoft website. On Xbox consoles and game apps, it may take a few minutes to sync. If you're still seeing your old email after 15 minutes, sign out completely and sign back in with the new email — that usually forces the update.