Life changes, and so do our email addresses. Perhaps you’ve finally retired that old, slightly embarrassing email from your youth, or you’re switching jobs and need to update your primary contact. Whatever the reason, keeping your Microsoft account tied to a current email is crucial for receiving important security notifications and staying connected to services like Outlook, Xbox, and OneDrive. Knowing how to change the email on a microsoft account is a simple but essential piece of digital housekeeping.
The simple steps for how to change the email on a microsoft account
Changing your primary email address is a straightforward process. First, sign in to your Microsoft account on the official account website. From your account summary page, look for the “Your Info” tab. Here, you’ll find an option to “Manage how you sign in to Microsoft.” Clicking this will reveal all the email addresses and phone numbers associated with your account. To add your new email, select “Add email,” and follow the verification steps. Microsoft will send a security code to this new address to confirm it’s really you. Once verified, you can promote this new email to your “Primary Alias,” ensuring all future communications go there.
What happens to your old email address?
A common concern is whether you lose access to the old email. The good news is you don’t have to. After adding and verifying your new primary email, your old address simply becomes a secondary “alias.” This means you can still use it to sign in to your Microsoft account if you want to, but all official account correspondence will be sent to the new primary address. This gives you flexibility and ensures a smooth transition without losing any access to your account or data.
Important considerations before you start
Before making the switch, there are a couple of key things to remember. First, your new email address cannot already be associated with another Microsoft account. If it is, you’ll need to remove it from that other account first. Second, and most importantly, make sure you have access to the new email inbox before you begin the process. You will need to receive and enter a security code to verify ownership. It’s also a good idea to ensure your account recovery information, like a phone number, is up to date just in case you run into any snags.
Updating your Microsoft account email is a quick and secure process that helps keep your digital life organized. By following these gentle steps, you can ensure your account remains secure and connected to an email address you actually use, letting you focus on what matters most.