A odd problem

Question

So i wanted to change my password and it was saying for me to enter this email to verify that this is my account so i put it in it said wrong but i put in the right email and when i try to switch my email it says this account is already linked with this account so I'm so confused

Answer 1

The message indicates that the email or phone being entered is already associated with a different Microsoft account, not the one currently being used to sign in or verify.

To resolve this:

1. Use the sign-in helper
   • Go to the Sign-in Helper and enter the email or phone being used to verify.
   • The tool checks the details and, if there is a problem with the account, shows what needs to be done to fix sign-in issues.
2. Check which account the email is tied to
   • If the system says “Microsoft account already exists” or similar, that email/phone is already tied to another Microsoft account.
   • In that case, either:
     • Sign in with the Microsoft account that already uses that email/phone, or
     • Use a different email/phone (one not already used on another Microsoft account) for verification.
3. Manage aliases on the correct account
   • Once signed in to the correct Microsoft account, go to the alias management page (Manage how you sign in to Microsoft / Edit account info).
   • From there, add or remove email addresses or phone numbers as needed so the preferred email/phone is associated with the intended account.

If the email being entered is actually a communication email for another service (for example, a NuGet.org account) and not the Microsoft sign-in alias itself, the system may report that it is “linked with another Microsoft account.” In that case, sign in with the Microsoft account that is already linked, then change or free up the email/alias from that account before reusing it on another account.

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References:

• I can't sign in to my Microsoft account
• Why do I get the message "Microsoft account already exists" when signing into Microsoft services with my account for Skype?
• Change the email address or phone number for your Microsoft account
• NuGet.org frequently-asked questions