You can change your Microsoft account username through your account settings, but the process depends on whether you want to change your sign-in email or your display name
Microsoft accounts use two different names: your sign-in email (what you type to log in) and your display name (what appears to other people). You can change your display name anytime in seconds. Changing your sign-in email is more involved and has limits — you can do it, but Microsoft restricts how often and requires you to add a new email address first.
The steps differ depending on which one you want to change. Most people find they only need to change the display name, which is instant. If you need to change your sign-in email, plan for a few extra steps and understand that you cannot change it back immediately.
Key Takeaways
- Your display name (what others see) can be changed instantly from your Microsoft account settings without affecting how you sign in.
- Your sign-in email (what you type to log in) requires you to add a new email address to your account first, then set it as primary.
- After you change your sign-in email, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again, so choose carefully.
- You can access your account settings from account.microsoft.com on any device with a web browser.
How to change your display name
Your display name is the name that shows up when you send emails, share files, or appear in other people's contacts. Changing it takes about 30 seconds and does not affect your sign-in process at all.
Go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with your current email and password. Click Your info in the left menu. Under your profile picture, you will see your current name. Click Edit name and type your new first and last name. Click Save. The change takes effect immediately.
How to change your sign-in email address
Your sign-in email is the address you type into the password field when you log in. Changing it is permanent until you change it again, and Microsoft enforces a 30-day waiting period between changes. Before you start, make sure you have access to a different email address that you want to use instead.
Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in. Click Your info, then scroll down to find Email addresses. Click Add email and enter the new email address you want to use. Microsoft will send a verification code to that address — check your inbox and enter the code to confirm you own it. Once verified, the new email appears in your email list.
Now click on the new email address and select Make it primary. This sets it as your sign-in email. From this point forward, you log in with the new email address, not the old one. The old email remains attached to your account as a recovery option unless you remove it.
What happens to your old email after you change it
Your previous sign-in email does not disappear. It stays connected to your account as a recovery email, which means Microsoft can use it to help you regain access if you get locked out. You can remove it entirely if you want, but keeping it is safer — it gives you a backup way to prove you own the account.
If you remove the old email, you lose that recovery option. Before you delete it, make sure you have another recovery method set up, such as a phone number or authenticator app. You can check your recovery options in the Security section of your account settings.
The 30-day rule and why it matters
After you change your sign-in email, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This is a security measure to prevent someone who gains temporary access to your account from locking you out by changing the email repeatedly. If you realize you made a mistake, you have to wait the full 30 days before you can switch back.
This is why it is worth double-checking your new email address before you click Make it primary. Verify that you can receive emails at the new address and that you will have access to it long-term. If you use a work email and plan to leave that job, do not use it as your sign-in email.
Changing your username on Windows or Xbox
If you want to change the name that appears on your Windows computer or Xbox console, that is separate from your Microsoft account name. On Windows, right-click the Start menu, select Settings, then go to Accounts and Your info. Click Rename your device to change the computer name, or click your account picture and select Rename account to change your local account name.
On Xbox, go to Settings, then Account, then Profile. Select Customize profile and change your gamertag. This does not change your Microsoft account email — it only changes what other players see when you play online.
Troubleshooting: You cannot change your email
If you try to add a new email and see an error, the most common reason is that the email address is already attached to another Microsoft account. Each email can only be the primary sign-in for one account. Check whether you have created another Microsoft account with that email by going to account.microsoft.com and trying to sign in with it.
If the email belongs to you but is tied to a different account, you have two options: use a different email address for this account, or delete the other account first (if you no longer need it). If you cannot remember which account uses that email, try the password recovery process on the sign-in page — it will tell you which account is associated with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my Microsoft account email affect my Outlook or Hotmail inbox?
No. Your inbox stays the same regardless of which email you use to sign in. If you change your sign-in email from one address to another, you still access the same mailbox. The email address you use to log in and the email address of your inbox are separate things.
Can I use the same email for two different Microsoft accounts?
No. Each email address can be the primary sign-in for only one Microsoft account. You can add the same email as a recovery address to multiple accounts, but only one account can use it as the main sign-in email.
What if I forget my new sign-in email after I change it?
Go to account.microsoft.com and look at the sign-in screen. Your current sign-in email should appear in the email field or in your recent sign-ins list. If you are locked out, use your recovery email or phone number to regain access, then check your account settings to see which email is currently primary.
Do I have to change my password when I change my email?
No. Your password stays the same. You will still type the same password when you sign in — you just type a different email address in front of it. However, it is a good time to change your password if you think someone else might know it.
Can I change my email back to the old one before 30 days are up?
No. The 30-day waiting period applies to any change, including changing back. If you change your sign-in email and regret it, you have to wait 30 days before you can switch to a different email — even if that different email is your original one.