How to Change the Primary Alias for your Microsoft Account


Your Microsoft account lets you manage Microsoft services and subscriptions, like Xbox Live, Outlook.com, OneDrive, Skype, and Windows 10, from a single account.

You can add up to 10 email addresses or phone numbers to your Microsoft account. Email addresses and phone numbers that are associated with your Microsoft account are called aliases and they use the same contacts, online storage, subscriptions, and account settings. Each alias lets you sign in to all your Windows 10 devices and services that use the Microsoft account.

Your aliases share a single password, and you can send and receive email with each. Your primary alias will be the username you use to sign in to your account, the username that appears on your Windows 10 devices, and how you show up to recipients in email.

You can make changes to the email addresses or phone numbers (aliases) that are associated with your Microsoft account. Here are some reasons you might want to make changes:

  • You want to add or remove an email address or phone number.
  • You want to use a different email address or phone number to sign in.
  • You want a different username to appear on your Windows 10 devices.
  • You want an email address you can give to other companies or other people that can't be used to sign in to your account or access your info.
  • You received the “Which account do you want to use” message at sign-in.

See also: Change the email address or phone number for your Microsoft account | Microsoft account support

This tutorial will show you how to make an added email address alias the primary alias for your Microsoft account.

You can change your primary alias up to twice a week.

If your primary alias ends in @Outlook.com, @msn.com or @Live.com, and you change it, you won't be able to make it primary again.




Here's How:

1 Sign in to the Microsoft account website.

2 Under Account aliases, click/tap on the Make primary link to the right of an added email alias you want to be your primary alias. (see screenshot below)

The alias at the top of the list with (primary alias) at the end and without a Make primary link is your current primary alias.

Change Primary Alias for Microsoft Account-microsoft_account_alias_make_primary-1.png

3 Uncheck the Send me promotional offers from Microsoft box if you like, and click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)

Change Primary Alias for Microsoft Account-microsoft_account_alias_make_primary.png


That's it,
Shawn


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