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What is a Microsoft account?

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"Microsoft account" is the new name for what used to be called a "Windows Live ID." Your Microsoft account is the combination of an email address and a password that you use to sign in to services like Hotmail, SkyDrive, Windows Phone, or Xbox LIVE. If you use an email address and password to sign in to these or other services, you already have a Microsoft account—but you can also sign up for a new one at any time.

Over time, all Microsoft services will be switching from the old name to the new one. You might continue to see mentions of "Windows Live ID" instead of "Microsoft account" for a while—for example, on xbox.com or windowsphone.com—but the names mean the same thing, and the services will be updated soon.

https://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-live/sign-in-what-is-microsoft-account

Comments

  • Anonymous
    January 01, 2003
    That's good to know, I much prefer "Microsoft account"

  • Anonymous
    July 31, 2012
    Will we be able to block using GPO or another method Microsoft accounts in Windows 8?