Your Microsoft account is the key to so many of your digital activities, from Windows and Office to Xbox and Outlook. The email address associated with it is your primary username, the one you use to sign in everywhere. But what happens when that old email address is no longer your main one? Maybe you’ve switched jobs, graduated from school, or simply want a more professional handle.
Keeping your account’s primary email up-to-date is a simple yet powerful step in managing your digital life. It ensures you receive important security notifications, can easily reset your password, and maintain access to all your Microsoft services without a hitch. The process is straightforward, and we’re here to guide you through it.
Getting Ready to Make the Change
Before you start, there are two small but important things to check. First, you’ll need access to the new email address you want to use. Microsoft will send a security code to that address to verify you own it. Second, make sure you know the password to your current Microsoft account, as you’ll need to sign in to make the change. Having these two things ready will make the process smooth and quick.
Step-by-Step Guide to Updating Your Email
Begin by signing into your Microsoft account on account.microsoft.com. Once you’re in, navigate to the Your Info section at the top of the page. Look for the option that says “Manage how you sign in to Microsoft.” This is where you can add and remove the email addresses associated with your account.
Click on Add email. You’ll be prompted to enter the new email address you wish to use. Remember, this can be an Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, or other provider email. After you enter it, Microsoft will send a verification code to that new address. Find the code in your inbox, enter it on the verification page, and your new email will be added as an alias.
Now, to make it your primary sign-in, find the new email in your alias list and select Make primary. You’ll be asked to confirm this change. Once you do, this new email becomes the main way you sign in to all Microsoft services.
What to Do With Your Old Email Address
After you’ve successfully set your new email as the primary, you have a choice. You can choose to keep the old email address as a secondary alias. This can be useful as a backup way to sign in or to receive emails. Alternatively, if you no longer want it associated with your account, you can remove it. Just be absolutely certain you won’t need it for account recovery before you delete it.
By taking a few minutes to update your primary email, you’re ensuring your Microsoft account remains secure, accessible, and truly yours. It’s a simple maintenance task that keeps your digital world running smoothly.
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