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Account Aliases

Anonymous
2020-05-03T01:37:54+00:00

I seem to be struggling with my Microsoft account which I never use. In trying to understand another issue I'm having I was trying to figure out how to sign in to my Microsoft account. When I finally did I learned that is uses an email address that I never use any more. I still sort of have it but I only have sporadic access to it so want to use the email address that I use all the time.

In going through my settings to change it I come to this screen:

Manage how you sign in to Microsoft

An account alias is an email address or phone number that you use to sign in to your Microsoft account. You can have multiple aliases, and use any of them with Microsoft services such as Outlook.com, Skype, OneDrive, Office, Xbox, Windows and more.

Your account's primary alias is displayed on your Microsoft devices (such as a Windows PC, Xbox, or Windows Phone), and you can choose a different alias to be the primary one at any time. Learn more about account aliases.

Account alias

  • ******@ymail.com (primary alias)

Remove

That email address is one I no longer ever use so I selected the Add email option. It takes me to this screen:

Add an alias

Your account can have multiple aliases, each of which lets you sign in to all the devices and services that use Microsoft account. Your aliases share a single password, and you can send and receive mail with each. Learn more about account aliases.

@outlook.com

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-05-03T03:59:53+00:00

    Sorry, but I can't figure out exactly what it is you're asking - don't see a question there. Perhaps a little introduction to what a Microsoft Account (MSA) is will help.

    A MSA lets you use Microsoft's online features - like this user forum, for example. To sign in to your MSA, and thus gain access to all these features, you need a username and a password. Your MSA username is an email address and your password is something you create. (Don't forget your password!) You can use any email address as your username, although most people use a Microsoft email account address as their username.

    You also spoke about an alias, which is a little tricky to understand. An alias is actually another email address that you can use to sign in to your MSA. You can think of it as a nickname.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-05-03T01:44:25+00:00

    Hi ScallOway. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator. If you will work with me I will be here to help until the issue is resolved.

    If you don't remember your password then you can try to change the password here:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402683...

    But unless you have a phone number already set up to send a code then you may not be able to do this, instead need to do Account Recovery which is a process that takes up to 30 days so they know for sure it's you:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17875/...

    You can try adding a fresh email and phone number as Alias and then set one of those primary, but I've never heard of it doing this without wanting your present password to verify it's you doing this. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12407/...

    It's really a PITA to forget your MS Account password, probably better to start over fresh with a whole new account you can set up here, then choose a password you can remember so you don't have to go through this again:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402632...

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to choose if I resolved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

    ________________________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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