Where to change your username on MSP

You change your Microsoft account username through the account settings page on Microsoft's website, not through the game or app itself. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with your current credentials, and select "Your info" from the left menu. From there, you can edit your display name — the name that appears to other players and in your profile.

The display name is what other people see when you play games, use Xbox, or interact in Microsoft communities. This is different from your email address (your sign-in name), which you cannot change directly but can update through account recovery options if needed.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name changes on account.microsoft.com under "Your info," not in the game settings.
  • The display name is what other players see; your email address is what you use to sign in and cannot be changed the same way.
  • Changes to your display name take effect when ready across all Microsoft services and games.
  • If you want to change your email address itself, you will need to use the account recovery process or create a new Microsoft account.

Step-by-step: changing your display name

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Click "Sign in" and enter the email address and password you use for your Microsoft account. Once you are logged in, look for "Your info" in the left sidebar menu and click it.

On the Your info page, you will see your current display name near the top. Click "Edit name" or the pencil icon next to it. Type your new display name in the text field — Microsoft allows letters, numbers, spaces, and some punctuation. Click "Save" when you are done. The change takes effect when ready and will show up the next time you sign into any Microsoft service or game.

What counts as a valid username on MSP

Microsoft display names can be 1 to 50 characters long and can include letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, periods, and underscores. You cannot use symbols like @, #, $, or %, and you cannot use only numbers. The name cannot be blank, and it cannot match a name that violates Microsoft's code of conduct — names with slurs, hate speech, or explicit content will be rejected.

If you try to save a name and get an error message, it usually means the name contains a forbidden character, is too long, or has been flagged as inappropriate. Try a different combination and submit again.

How long changes take to show up everywhere

Your new display name appears when ready on your Microsoft account profile and in most Microsoft services. However, it can take a few hours to show up in some games or third-party apps that connect to your Microsoft account, because those services cache your profile information and refresh it on their own schedule.

If you are playing a multiplayer game and your name does not update right away, try signing out completely and signing back in. That forces the game to fetch your current profile from Microsoft's servers.

Changing your email address (sign-in name) instead

If you want to change the email address you use to sign in — not just your display name — the process is more involved. You cannot directly change your sign-in email, but you can add a new email address to your account and make it your primary sign-in method. Go to account.microsoft.com, select "Your info," and look for "Manage your Microsoft account" or "Email & phone." Click "Add email" and follow the steps to verify the new address.

Once the new email is verified and set as your primary, you can sign in using that address instead. Your old email address can remain on the account as a recovery option, or you can remove it entirely. If you want to use a completely different Microsoft account, you would need to create a new one with the new email address.

Troubleshooting: name change not working

If you cannot save your new display name, first check that it does not contain special characters like @, #, $, or %. Also make sure it is not longer than 50 characters. If the name is rejected as inappropriate, Microsoft's system flagged it — try removing or changing any words that might be considered offensive or explicit.

If you are still stuck, make sure you are signed into the correct Microsoft account. Some people have multiple accounts and accidentally try to change the name on the wrong one. You can also try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then signing in again. If the problem persists, visit support.microsoft.com and search for "change display name" to find Microsoft's support options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username as often as I want?

Yes, you can change your display name as many times as you want with no waiting period between changes. However, Microsoft may flag accounts that change names very frequently as suspicious activity, so avoid changing it multiple times per day.

Will changing my username affect my game progress or achievements?

No. Your display name is separate from your account identity. All your game saves, achievements, and progress stay with your Microsoft account regardless of what name you display.

What if someone else is already using the name I want?

Display names on Microsoft accounts do not have to be unique — multiple people can have the same display name. If the name you want is rejected, it is because of the character rules or content policy, not because someone else has it.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my display name?

No. Microsoft only allows letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, periods, and underscores. Emojis, accented characters, and symbols like @, #, or $ will not be accepted.

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

No. Your password and your display name are separate. Changing your display name does not affect your password or security settings.