Share via

I am trying to remote desktop to another computer. My microsoft account was set up on an email that I do not have access to anymore. How can I successfully change the email?

Jimmy Schofield 0 Reputation points
2026-01-14T16:10:58.06+00:00

I purchased a new computer and created a microsoft account with an email that I no longer have access to. I was able to change the email associated with that account. I am trying to remote desktop with another computer and it is still showing the old email. I tried to connect using my password from that previous email, but the email no longer exists and was denied access. How can I successfully remote desktop with another computer using the new updated email on my microsoft account?

Moved from Microsoft 365 and Office | Access | For home | Windows

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Accounts, profiles, and login
0 comments

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Lucus-V 7,405 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-01-14T21:23:42.1033333+00:00

    Hi Jimmy Schofield,
    Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum. I'm happy to help.

    When you change the primary email on your Microsoft account, the update doesn’t always immediately sync to Windows devices or Remote Desktop. If the Remote Desktop client or the remote PC still shows your old email, it’s usually due to cached credentials or the remote machine still being configured to allow the old Microsoft account.

    Here are the steps that typically resolve this issue:

    1. Make sure the remote PC has recognized the new Microsoft account email
      Sign out and sign back in on your computers using your new Microsoft account email. This forces Windows to refresh the local identity associated with your account.
    2. Add the new email explicitly to Remote Desktop Users
      Windows Remote Desktop requires the correct account to be listed, this step ensures the updated account is permitted for RDP.
      1. Go to Settings > System > Remote Desktop
      2. Select Users that can remotely access this PC
      3. Click Add, and enter the new Microsoft account email
    3. Clear cached credentials on the computer you're connecting from
      1. Open Credential Manager → Windows Credentials
      2. Remove entries related to:
        • Your old Microsoft account email
        • Any TERMSRV entries
    4. Use the updated login format when connecting
      When RDP asks for credentials, enter the full updated username in this format: MicrosoftAccount\******@domain.com
    5. Restart your machines

    I hope that above information is helpful to you.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

    Was this answer helpful?

  2. AI answer

    2026-01-14T16:11:38.8666667+00:00

    To successfully remote desktop to another computer using your new Microsoft account email, you need to ensure that the remote PC recognizes your updated Microsoft account credentials. Here are the steps you can follow:

    1. Verify Account Changes: Make sure that the email associated with your Microsoft account has been updated correctly. You can do this by signing into your Microsoft account on the Microsoft website and checking your account settings.
    2. Check Remote Desktop Settings: On the remote PC, ensure that it is set up to allow connections from your new Microsoft account. You may need to add your new email to the list of users allowed to connect via Remote Desktop.
    3. Use Correct Credentials: When prompted for credentials during the Remote Desktop connection, make sure to enter your new email address and the corresponding password. If the old email is still being used, it may be cached; ensure that you are entering the new credentials.
    4. Clear Cached Credentials: If you are still facing issues, you might want to clear any cached credentials on your local machine. You can do this by going to the Credential Manager in Windows and removing any stored credentials related to the old email.
    5. Reboot Both Machines: Sometimes, a simple reboot of both the remote PC and your local machine can resolve connection issues.

    If you continue to experience difficulties, you may want to consult the Microsoft support resources or community forums for more specific guidance related to your setup.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.