How to change Microsoft account in Windows 10

Contents hide

1 Why should you change Microsoft account in Windows 10?

2 Add your email id and number to the same Microsoft account

3 Switch from local to online Microsoft account and vice versa

3.1 Differences between local account and Microsoft account

4 Switch to new Microsoft account or add new Microsoft account

5 To conclude

5.1 Related posts:

All Microsoft products and services are linked to your Microsoft account. Windows also offers the ability to log in using the same account. That said, many users have multiple Microsoft accounts, these in most cases serve to separate their personal life from their professional one. But how do you change Microsoft account on Windows 10 computer? How to create / add a new Microsoft account?

Why should you change Microsoft account in Windows 10?

While you don’t need a Microsoft account to use a Windows 10 computer, it’s still recommended. There might be other reasons to update or change your Microsoft account details on your computer.

You bought a second-hand computer and the last owner failed / forgot to format it.
You lead a double life and have multiple jobs that require you to log into different accounts.
You are an advanced user, an enthusiast or a developer who loves to tinker.
It’s recommended use two OneDrive accounts to maximize the free storage space it offers.

Let’s find out how you can change Microsoft account on Windows 10 computer and what you need to keep in mind.

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Add your email id and number to the same Microsoft account

Many users want to change their Microsoft account login email and phone number. You don’t need to create a new account just for that. You can add up to 10 IDs and email numbers to the same account as an “alias” without creating a new account for each. You can also replace the old account details with a new one or make the new ID “primary”.

Open the Microsoft account management area and in Account Alias where you can add a new ID or email number.
Choose the first option if you want to create a new Outlook account right there and the second option if you are using a third party email provider like Gmail.

You should know that it is not possible to move aliases from one Microsoft account to another. You can’t even retrieve aliases. If you delete an alias in one Microsoft account, it will be deleted forever from Microsoft servers and you or anyone else will not be able to use it on another Microsoft account.

Switch from local to online Microsoft account and vice versa

Other users would like to get rid of their Microsoft account and go local or vice versa. For the uninitiated, there are two types of accounts you can create on Windows-based computers. You can create a local account or a Microsoft account.

Differences between local account and Microsoft account

A local account is a type of account that requires only a username and password. Also, you can remove the password later. None of your Microsoft data leaves your computer or syncs with another Windows device. It stays offline and on a single device. However, several Microsoft apps like Store, Skype, etc. They won’t work or download without a Microsoft account.

On the other hand, a Microsoft account will sync all your activities across devices and keep all data in the cloud on Microsoft servers. The advantage is obvious. Do you want to change between them?

Press Windows key + I to open Settings and click Accounts.
Click on the “Log in with a local account” option to begin the process.

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After that, follow the on-screen instructions. You may need to enter your current Microsoft account password / PIN for verification.

To switch from a local account to a Microsoft account, you will need to do the same steps. This time, you need to select the “Sign in with a Microsoft account” option which should be visible because you are using a local account.

Switch to new Microsoft account or add new Microsoft account

You have a new Microsoft account with a different email ID (Outlook.com or Live.com, owned by Microsoft) and you want to use this new account on your Windows 10 computer.

Open Settings again (Windows key + I) and go to Accounts> Family & other users.
Click the “Add someone else to this PC” button.

Now follow the onscreen instructions and enter your new Microsoft account ID and password to add that account to your computer. The installation instructions will include settings such as 2FA and Windows Hello. Just like when you added your first Microsoft account.

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What you are doing is creating a new user account on your computer with this new Microsoft account. You can switch between users as you normally do from the Start menu or restart your computer.

To conclude

Microsoft offers many ways to manage your Windows 10 computer. Unlike Windows 7 and earlier versions, you have more options on how to use a local or Microsoft account, giving you new possibilities.

I suggest you take some time to think about what you want to do and how you want it done. This will save you the trouble of going back and forth between settings and accounts. Always protect your account with features like Hello or 2FA. These will save you from many headaches.