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Changing my Primary Microsoft account on Windows 10 laptop

Anonymous
2020-06-08T13:45:06+00:00

I have recently created a new Microsoft Account under a new email address and wish to change it to the primary Microsoft Account used for my Windows 10 PC. A previous user asked this question, and you told her to do that she would have to first delete her current primary account, but if you do that, it tells you that it will delete all the files currently on your computer.  How do I change my primary account without losing all my files?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Family and online safety

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-06-08T14:37:11+00:00

    That's really not user friendly. I have 4 computers that will now have to be rolled completely back to factory settings because you force users to link their accounts to their PC's in order to use windows 10 and refuse to allow them to change the email address linked on their accounts just so you can charge them again for apps and subscriptions. Don't tell me the software can't have that capability because other software and apps I have allowed me to change the email address associated with my account. Only Microsoft won't allow it, even though it's to another Microsoft email. This is really poor customer care.

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  2. DaveM121 867.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2020-06-08T13:51:51+00:00

    Hi FinaMacGrioghair

    You cannot actually change a user profile to another Microsoft Account . ..

    You will need to backup all your files to another drive, possibly a USB drive, then create a new user profile and copy your files into that account

    Please Note, before you remove the other user profile, any services, apps subscriptions linked to that account will no longer work or be accessible on that PC . . .

    Open the Settings App

    Go to Accounts - Family and other People

    Click 'Add someone else to this PC'

    Follow the prompts to create a new account

    Close the settings app

    Log out of that user account

    Log into your new account

    Click the Start Button, type netplwiz and hit Enter

    In the resulting dialog, select the old account and click 'Remove'

    That's It, your new Admin Account will replace the old account

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  3. DaveM121 867.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2020-06-08T14:25:36+00:00

    Hi Fina

    I understand now . . .

    Yes, then you will need to backup all your files, and follow the steps above to create the new user profile and move those files into that account . . .

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-06-08T14:05:32+00:00

    The reason I want to change my account is because my old account was hacked, and you're telling me that I basically have to roll my computer back to factory in order to get the hacked account off of my computer?

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  5. DaveM121 867.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2020-06-08T14:14:36+00:00

    HI Fina

    Was your Microsoft Account hacked, or your PC?

    If your Microsoft Account was hacked, have you changed the password on that Microsoft Account?

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