Change your email in account settings, not through password reset

To change the email address on your Microsoft account, sign in to account.microsoft.com, go to the "Your info" section, and update the email under "Account aliases." Microsoft lets you add a new email address and set it as your primary one, or remove an old email entirely. The whole process takes about five minutes and does not require you to create a new account.

The key thing to know: changing your email in settings is different from resetting a forgotten password. If you cannot sign in, you will need to use the password reset flow instead, which is covered in the FAQ section below.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign in at account.microsoft.com, select "Your info," and look for "Account aliases" to add or change your email address.
  • You can have multiple email addresses linked to one Microsoft account, but only one can be your primary sign-in email.
  • If you add a new email, Microsoft will send a confirmation link to that address before it becomes active.
  • Changing your email does not affect your OneDrive, Outlook inbox, or other Microsoft services — they stay connected to your account.
  • If you cannot sign in to your account, use the password reset page instead of trying to change your email first.

Step-by-step: adding or changing your primary email

Start by going to account.microsoft.com in a web browser and signing in with your current email and password. Once you are signed in, look for "Your info" in the left menu or at the top of the page, depending on which version of the account dashboard you see.

Under "Your info," find the section labeled "Account aliases." This shows all the email addresses currently linked to your account. To add a new email, click "Add email" or the plus icon. Type the new email address you want to use, then click "Add alias." Microsoft will send a confirmation email to that new address — you must click the link in that email within a set time (usually 24 hours) to confirm it.

Once the new email is confirmed, it appears in your aliases list. If you want to make it your primary sign-in email, click on it and select "Make primary." Your old email will move to the aliases list but will stay connected to your account. You can remove it later if you no longer need it, or keep it so people can still reach you at that address.

What happens to your data and services when you change email

Changing your email address does not move or delete anything. Your OneDrive files, Outlook inbox, Microsoft 365 subscriptions, Xbox account, and any other services tied to your Microsoft account all stay exactly where they are. The change only affects which email you use to sign in and which one appears as your account contact.

If you use your Microsoft account to sign in to Windows, your PC will not be affected. You can continue signing in the same way. If you have set up two-factor authentication (a security code sent to your phone or email), that setting stays active and will work with your new email address.

Removing an old email address from your account

You can remove an email from your account aliases list, but you must have at least one email address remaining. If you want to delete your old email and keep only the new one, make sure the new email is set as primary first, then click on the old email in the aliases list and select "Remove."

Before you remove an old email, check whether you use it anywhere else: for password resets, two-factor authentication codes, or recovery options. If you do, update those settings first. Once an email is removed from your account, you cannot use it to sign in or recover your account if you forget your password.

If you cannot sign in to change your email

If you have forgotten your password or cannot access your account, you cannot use the method above. Instead, go to account.live.com/password/reset and select "I forgot my password." Microsoft will ask you to enter the email address you currently use to sign in, then send you a code or link to verify your identity.

Once you have reset your password and signed back in, you can then follow the steps in the "Step-by-step" section above to change your email. If you no longer have access to your current email address and cannot receive the reset code, you will need to use Microsoft's account recovery process, which asks security questions or uses a backup email or phone number you set up earlier.

Using a phone number or Microsoft Authenticator instead of email

Microsoft lets you sign in using a phone number or the Microsoft Authenticator app instead of an email address. If you want to move away from email sign-in entirely, you can add a phone number to your account aliases and set it as primary. You can also use the Authenticator app to approve sign-in requests without typing a password.

These options do not replace your email address — they are additional ways to sign in. Your email will still be part of your account and will still receive notifications and recovery codes unless you remove it. If you remove your email, make sure you have a phone number or Authenticator app set up first, or you may lock yourself out of your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my email if I have a Microsoft 365 subscription?

Yes. Changing your account email does not affect your Microsoft 365 subscription or your Office apps. Your subscription stays active and tied to your account no matter which email you use to sign in. If you share your subscription with family members, they will not be affected either.

What if someone else is using my old email address?

Once you remove an email from your account, no one can use it to sign in to your Microsoft account. However, if someone else has created a new Microsoft account with that email address, the two accounts are separate. If you want to reclaim that email and use it with a different Microsoft account, you will need to remove it from the other account first or contact Microsoft support.

How long does it take for my new email to work?

Once you click the confirmation link in the email Microsoft sends you, the new email is active immediately. You can sign in right away using the new email address. If you set it as primary, it becomes your main sign-in email right away as well.

Will my contacts or friends be notified if I change my email?

No. Changing your email does not send notifications to your contacts. However, if you remove your old email from your account, people who have that old email address saved will not be able to reach you at it. If you want people to know your new email, you will need to tell them yourself.

Can I have two primary emails at the same time?

No. You can have multiple email addresses linked to your account, but only one can be set as primary. The primary email is the one you use to sign in and the one Microsoft shows as your main contact address. The other emails are aliases and can still receive notifications, but you cannot sign in with them unless you change which one is primary.