Marc LaFleur

Thoughts on finding a better way

Change Your Windows Live ID Primary Email

Prior to Windows Live ID you were able to change the primary email address on your Passport account (assuming your primary email address was a non-Hotmail address). This feature was missing from the new Windows Live ID system and once you migrated from Passport to Windows Live ID there was no going back.

Some people (like me) who changed jobs were stuck with either creating a new Windows Live ID (and chucking everything associated with the old one) or continuing to use the old account with an old email address. The later option was a bit scary if, like me, your old email was being forwarded to someone else; allowing them to retrieve your password and access your account.

On a whim I checked today and it looks like the Live team has rolled out the ability to change your email address. Simply go to https://accountservices.passport.net/?lc=1033 and select a new one (either a Hotmail or another external email address).

Thanks to whomever pushed this one though.

Posted: Dec 18 2006, 10:56 AM by MarcLaFleur | with 93 comment(s)
Filed under:

Comments

Brad said:

Are you sure?  Under "Credentials", I see no option to change my primary email address, only my alternate.  Maybe my account is crippled in some fashion since it used to be a Hotmail account.

# December 20, 2006 3:04 PM

TrackBack said:

 

# February 22, 2007 7:59 AM

Me said:

I concur there does not seem to be a way to change or sign-up under your own email address.  The only option I see is hotmail and once signed up there doesn't seem to be a way to change it.  You can add an alternate email but that doesn't do much.

# February 28, 2007 9:53 AM

James Laugesen said:

Click "change" on the top of the page, next to your Live ID.

# February 28, 2007 5:07 PM

Michael Emery said:

Unfortunately, this only works if your current email is NOT an MSN or Hotmail address.

Very disappointing. Once Microsoft have you on their service you can never leave... unless you ditch all your current Windows Live services. Too bad if you paid for those services or you depend on them. (Xbox Live, MSN Messenger, MSDN, etc etc.)

Lesson learned, never use a Microsoft email service as your Windows Live ID.

Lesson learned too late for some. Sorry.

Advice: Write an angry email to Microsoft. Ask them why they punish their own customers for being loyal.

# March 12, 2007 11:33 PM

priteshgaud@rediffmail.com said:

plz do accept my new primary id

         i hope you will do it thank

# April 19, 2007 3:28 AM

tinurath said:

change it

# June 8, 2007 11:45 PM

Polycorn said:

Ok, got it: you need to use microsofts explorer to be able to change your primary id, doesn't work with Safari on a real computer.

By nature, Microsoft acts as if there's no other software in the whole wide world.

Probably has to do with security....

Oh no wait, microsoft and security? That can't be right! ;-)

Cheers!

# June 15, 2007 3:51 AM

cristina elizabeth rojas arribasplata said:

antetodo mis cordiales saludos py mis felicitaciones por tener esa idea tan importante para comunicarnos ,

queria pedirle porfavor como puedo hacer para saber mi contraseña ya q por motivos d3 salud no pude abrir el correo por un tiempo si hay algo con q me puedan ayudar porfavor mandar la informacion al correo eliza_43_14 ,el correo del q no me acuerdo la contraseña es arribasplata_13@gracias

                 atentamente cristina rojas arribasplata

# July 23, 2007 11:10 AM

Alex said:

Those who can't see the 'Change' button, make sure you are using IE, as the button won't show up in other browsers (tried it with Opera 9.x).

# August 8, 2007 12:49 PM

Annette Kane said:

I am registered as annettekane@optonline.com.

Please change it to annettekane@optonline.net.

Thank you.

# August 15, 2007 10:00 AM

sid said:

arrrghhhhhh!!!! i'm so furious. i've setup a new hotmail account to get rid of people i didn't want to know and stop receiving too much junk, only to find out my xbox live account is associated with my old email address and that theres no way of changing it. its stupid how microsoft should associate everything you do to your lame "windows live" account and not give you options to change it

# August 19, 2007 10:43 AM

kimberley said:

I would like to change my msn password and windowslive messenger has been no help at all they keep telling me to reset my password so i try and it says its invalid. So please could windows live become more helpful with advice! p.s im furious too

# August 25, 2007 3:08 PM

Christo said:

worked fine for me, succesfully changed my Live

ID

# September 8, 2007 3:37 AM

Suman said:

how do i change my id. I tried it for many hours but still couldn't get it.

# September 12, 2007 11:41 PM

george cunningham said:

rather than use credit cards it would be more useful for me when buying programs if i could mail a bank cheque for payment

# September 14, 2007 8:09 AM

Windows Live ID Admin said:

it seems impossible but just look closer ....

well i still cant change it my self..

# September 15, 2007 6:37 PM

Windows Live ID Admin said:

To rename your Windows Live ID:

  1. On the Windows Live sign-in page, select Password from the Sign in with: menu.

  2. On the Convert or rename your Windows Live account page, click Rename, and then follow the on-screen instructions to rename your Windows Live ID.

# September 15, 2007 6:39 PM

alimiligi said:

Dears,

I still suffering from your window LIVE. It is the worst one and I didn’t like it by anyway. I am wondering how to change my old window without asking my permission first. I am one of your old clients. Hotmail is my favor one. Your LIVE WINDOW is so bad. I can’t save any message coming to me. I would like to return me back to my old one. I was happy in using it since long time ago. Your duty obliges you to make consultation or plebiscite before change your window to know the taste of your clients. Clients always are right and you must respect their desires. You must respect and accept our tastes not to oblige us to accept yours. My age is about 80 years old and I am not ready to acclimatize with your Window-Live.

Once again please return me back to my old window because frankly I HATE YOUR WINDOW LIVE.

Don’t oblige me to stop dealing with you and go to YAHOO & GMAIL.

Regards.

ALI

# September 16, 2007 6:11 PM

Tommy said:

I SEE ALL THE COMMENTS... BUT....

CAN YOU CHANGE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS ATTACHED TO YOUR XBOX GAMERTAG IF IT"S ALREADY ASSIGNED TO MY CURRENT HOTMAIL ADDRESS.

# October 5, 2007 11:08 AM

Tony M said:

Yep it worked for me. Simple & straight forward, don't see why people are finding it so hard to do. I'ma a 47 year old computer dinosaur & I could do it no worries at all

# October 5, 2007 1:29 PM

k-l-mck said:

I've tried using IE, but the supposed button to change you Windows Live ID still isn't chowing up...

Mocrosoft needs to come up with a way to change you Hotmail address without losing all your contancts and e-mails and such. Or a way to create a new e-mail address and import all you old stuff, etc.

I've trid finding the Convert/Rename you ID page, but I cannot find it ANYWHERE! And the sign-in page will not give me the option to sign in with my password.

Where am I going wrong? I just want to change my e-mail address! Stupid Microsoft... I don't want to lose all my stuff, not spend the time e-mailing to my mew address 500 e-mails!

# October 16, 2007 12:31 PM

k-l-mck said:

Change your Windows Live ID

On the Account Summary page, click Change next to your Windows Live ID.

Enter your password.

Select Use a new Windows Live e-mail address.

–Or–

Select Use your own e-mail address.

Enter the Windows Live ID or e-mail address you'd like to use, and then click Check Availability. If the name you choose is available, you see a message that confirms availability.

If you've previously never agreed to the Windows Live Service Agreement or the Privacy Statement, you'll be prompted to do so. Read both agreements and select I accept. Otherwise, Click Save.

Notes

Depending on your account type, you might see either the Use a new Windows Live e-mail address or Use your own e-mail address option listed. Some accounts may be ineligible for either option.

Creating a new Windows Live e-mail address gives you access to all Windows Live services, including Windows Live Hotmail.

Changing your Windows Live ID may cause you to appear offline to your Windows Live Messenger contacts and your contacts to appear offline in your contacts list for up to 48 hours.

Although you can use your existing e-mail address as your Windows Live ID, you won’t have access to Mail services. To access Mail services you'll need to select Use a new Windows Live e-mail address when creating your Windows Live ID.

In the Change your Windows Live ID section you might see the Forward my e-mail to my new e-mail address option. Select this option to forward e-mail from your old MSN Hotmail or Windows Live Hotmail account to your new Mail account for a limited time.

------------------------------------------------------

...but it sill won't WORK!!!

# October 16, 2007 12:34 PM

frustrated said:

i think that it has to be the most retarded thing that you can't change your hotmail address. i've had mine for 3 years and want to change it but i don't want to lose everything in my account.

sincerely,

frustrated

# October 16, 2007 12:40 PM

kimberley87 said:

i would like to change my windows live id.but theres no link to be able to do this.i've tried everything in there and still can not find anything.HELP.

# October 20, 2007 10:15 PM

woodberyg said:

I,m havin a hard time getting my E-mail address, first it was Hotmail.com then you changed to windows livehotmail, which isn,t working for me. you changed too quickly too soon. I am not happy with your service.

# October 24, 2007 4:16 PM

urman said:

hey guys need help, i totally forgot my email address and password. is there anyting i can do?

# November 5, 2007 12:57 AM

giza said:

hi ther i safyur coment for hotmail andi theng i know how to help  you if you realy wanted my help so add this  adres giza.25@hotmail.com     and i willshow you how et  work weth hotmail  to change

# November 9, 2007 9:59 AM

Samiha Siddiqi said:

pllsss help me...i seem to have forgotten my password...dont remember my secret question either

# November 23, 2007 2:22 AM

original hotmail user said:

I've had a hotmail email address for ten years. Now that I have gone through highschool, college, and started my career, I want to change my ID to a live.com address. I don't think my old gamer address is appropriate anymore.

I have 350 contacts in messenger that I don't want to lose. If anyone has figured out how to merge two accounts or change a HOTMAIL password, please post.

# November 27, 2007 12:51 PM

Amelia said:

Please please remove always_young_at_heart@hotmail.com. I really need it to close, but I just can't do it..I know, don't sign in and it will close eventually, but I can't do that..easier just to get rid of it..please!!

# December 8, 2007 12:19 AM

paula said:

ive managed to change my id, it said to wait an hour before signing in again, i waited and 3 hours later all my contacts are still ofline, and i no they are on, can anyone help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

# January 12, 2008 6:32 PM

janet morton said:

I want to change my MSN e mail address.

Janet

# January 16, 2008 12:42 PM

endlessrainxxx@hotmail.com said:

as u wish but i didnt saw the word of "Change next to your Windows Live ID" this world also.but i still remember old time i can change the email adress very simple. I'm trying with using mozila firefox and IE explore but still do not work.this r really such. Please post an comments if any 1 else know how to fix this problem thanks.

# January 23, 2008 11:16 PM

dave said:

good thing you can change this thing

thanks   dave

# January 28, 2008 5:49 PM

dave said:

thank you so much!

from dave

# January 28, 2008 5:54 PM

Chrisy said:

i give up!!! i am just gonna copy and paste all my contacts frm my old address to a new one. will take me years but i dont have much choice if i want 2 change my email! It really is STUPID

# February 10, 2008 10:33 AM

Ed said:

Go to this url and select "use an e-mail address I already have"  to create a non-Windows live or non-hotmail Windows live ID.

accountservices.passport.net/ppnetworkhome.srf

# February 21, 2008 1:33 PM

Nicole said:

My e-mail address is ok to use; i am trying to change the ID name that comes up in the "From" colummn for communities.  When I go to the live sign-in page I can find no way to be able to do this.  I see all the change areas for e-mail and password--but that's not what i need to happen.  Is there no way just to change the name that appears in the area as mentioned above??  Please help.  thank you

# March 2, 2008 2:44 PM

aamd said:

hey, my friend created the email id and i am stuck with it,  i have had it email id for 5 years now, but i would really like to change it as my friend just made one up and i continued to use it.  at that time iknew nothing about  computers.

i am not happy with the email i got.

i read all above but cannot change it.

pleease help

# March 14, 2008 7:56 AM

mehrouf said:

i need to change my id in this same account.

# March 15, 2008 3:15 AM

Colin said:

When i tried to change mine to a @verizon.net emial it said "reserved domain".......

help please....

# March 17, 2008 12:56 PM

Michael Lowden said:

you can sign up for a "live ID" with a non M$ email address by using the MSN Passport signup page.

accountservices.passport.net/ppnetworkhome.srf

:)

# March 30, 2008 5:23 PM

Tommy said:

I changed my LiveID 5 days ago and I still haven't been able to log in. The password form MS support pages are sent to an unknown address and Microsoft never responds on the support requests. So far, I have 4 requests in 5 days....

# April 9, 2008 11:24 AM

sam said:

my hotmail id is too long to remember.i want to replace it by shorter id

# April 13, 2008 8:23 AM

polly bryan@centurtel.net said:

i have an email pbryan@hotmail.com and one that is cny39580@centurytel.net. centurytel say thatcny39580doesn't exsist. but all my mail is going there. no mail is going to pbryan i spent 5 hours on the net with centurytel.and thay gave me s new passwopd  it wont work either they say its windows problem. i don't care i just want to get my password and the cny39580 gone. help

# April 21, 2008 9:51 PM

Hannah said:

OMG it is so annoyin y cant i change my windows live id name i am sooooooo annoyed

# June 19, 2008 12:41 PM

Steve Ekeh said:

Attn:  Beneficiary,

                  CONTRACT /INHERITANCE PAYMENT CONFIRMATION ORDER

I am compelled to write you in respect of your fund remittance, which transfer has remained unsuccessful. I am very sure that you must have lost hope of ever getting your fund transfer released especially after all the frustrations, endless disappointment and broken promises in the hands of some officials.

This request must be noted in view of the factthat the current Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof Charles Soludo is yet to be briefed on some outstanding issues and information by his predecessor and other top officials of the Bank who are not political appointees and who have worked in the bank for more than 2decades. Briefly, I am quite sure that you must be wondering the reason behind the non-release of your long awaited fund after our Government officially granted approval for its remittance. I may also believe that you would have received countless, unconfirmed and spurious payment Advices and remittance instructions from some officials indicating that they have granted approval for the transfer of your fund.

You may have also been directed to visit different cities and countries with the instruction that your fund would be released at such payment post or that your fund could be delivered to you at your residence. All these are cooked up Stories from impostors who wish to extort money from you while they do not have any knowledge of the true position of your fund transfer. Meanwhile, I would like you to note the following.

(1) Our government has granted irrevocable payment approval for your fund remittance.

(2) Official release of this fund according to the record from the office of the Accountant General of the Federation and Ministry of Finance have been duly effected and documented.

(3) Your fund is presently being held at the HSBC bank International Ltd. (details available with me).

However for the avoidance of doubt,the reason for the non-release of the fund by the Correspondence Bank is due to the fact that the Bank has not received any direct instruction about the beneficiary of the outstanding amount as the fund is still being held in the name of the original contractor, ELBLAN IND.S.A. LUXEMBOURG, (details available with me), in view of the non-provision of a proof of ownership of the fund.

The original contractors in collaboration with a top official of the Trade & Exchange department of the central bank has been rolling the fund with the Foreign Bank and the interest is shared amongst theofficials.

If you are very certain that you will not disclose this information to anyone, get back to me and I will give you further directives on what you should do immediately.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Steve Ekeh   EMAIL. ekeh.stev@yahoo.co.uk

NB: You are to stop further dealings with any of your Nigeria Representatives with immediate effect, to avoid further extortion of your hard earn currency.

This is my mobile number 234 -80242-73663

# July 1, 2008 1:17 PM

Bonnie said:

this sucks. I cant rename my windows live ID and i am officially annoyed. Microsoft is dumb

# July 7, 2008 11:59 PM

how do i change my email in net passport said:

Pingback from  how do i change my email in net passport

# August 5, 2008 12:38 AM

EndlessRainXXX@hotmail.com said:

Im going to use back mine EndlessRainXXX@hotmail acc...because I'm going to giv up =)

# November 2, 2008 9:29 PM

Giuliana said:

Please , I don't like the newId account .

    i want my old id back

                giuliana

# November 5, 2008 5:34 AM

flash85468546@hotmail.com said:

Windows live is the worst crap I ever seen in my life.  I can't stand it.  Why don't you guys at Microsoft give us the option of sticking out with our old products instead?  The new ones are a disgrace.  I tried bu-f-ku times to reset my password to no avail.  Please Microsoft get rid of Windows live and give us our lives back with the old programs.  Learn from Apple!

# November 16, 2008 12:58 AM

youz so lamo said:

u all r so lameo make up your mindos

# November 25, 2008 10:05 PM

Jennifer said:

I don't want the Windows Live ID account and it keeps popping up on my computer and then it won't let me do anything.  How do I get rid of it from popping up?  I don't want it at all.

# November 26, 2008 12:20 PM

anika said:

my current e mail id is alittle too long and i don't like it alos some unwanted people know about my id with whom i don't wanna keep comtact. So please help me out.

# November 30, 2008 3:06 AM

aaliyah said:

this is nothing helpfull i came on this because off my cusin  because she saw my password and my boyfriend want chang my e-mail address cause i made it up when i was likeing another boy name justin and he and i broke up and winton and i goin now so he want we change it cause it ain't about him

# December 14, 2008 8:23 PM

alice said:

i changed my address with the link you provided, and it worked.

but now when i log in, my contacts all appear offline (i know for sure that some of them are online).

please help. thanks.

# January 2, 2009 11:23 AM

windows live messenger help - Tech Support Forums - TechIMO.com said:

Pingback from  windows live messenger help - Tech Support Forums - TechIMO.com

# January 2, 2009 1:00 PM

MarcLaFleur said:

Make sure you're running the latest version of Windows Live Messenger. I've seen this happen when running an older copy.

# January 3, 2009 9:17 AM

hayde said:

i want to change my hotmail id.

# January 6, 2009 7:08 PM

NM said:

Just wanted to say pretty much same things which were said already.

I had my e-mail live ID for 10 years. Says on my account page: "Registered since:  April 20, 1999"

For these ten years i've gained alot of contacts, but i never use the email with which i registered back then. So been trying to change it for hours now. No luck so far.

On the Account settings page it shows the following:

My Name

***@hotmail.com

Registered since:  April 20, 1999

Country/region: ***

Birth date:  ***

Registered information

No CHANGE button anywhere. Later comes the Password reset information. For the password change the CHANGE button can be seen clearly.

I also tried this:

"To rename your Windows Live ID:

- On the Windows Live ID sign-in page, select Password from the Sign in with: menu.

- On the Convert or rename your Windows Live ID page, click Rename, and then follow the on-screen instructions to rename your Windows Live ID."

But cant find where to do this either =/

# January 13, 2009 2:00 PM

wei jiao said:

i am having the same problem. i cant rename my window live id

i have tried a lot of times but to no avail.

i have tried getting help from window live help but the tips given was not clear and not well elaborated.

i cant find any 'change' button to do this!!! i m very frustated.

can any good samaritan please tell me how to do it because i really need to rename my childish email address..thank you very much..

# February 10, 2009 11:48 PM

DAG said:

I wish I had know when I started using their services to NOT use a hotmail address. Way to discourage people from using your services!

How can they expect people to NEVER change their address?!

# February 13, 2009 6:45 PM

zeeshan said:

i want to change my windows live id please

# February 16, 2009 7:11 AM

Mladen said:

I changed my Live ID primary e-mail adress and everything works just fine... Except this one:

Live Messenger contacts don't work :(

# February 26, 2009 4:13 AM

nipunika said:

i like to read story books

# March 13, 2009 5:21 AM

Jeanette said:

I keep getting this message when I sign in MSN to change my windows live ID...

I click the link....I then click the link that says CLICK HERE TO CHANGE YOUR WINDOWS LIVE ID...

I click it and it takes me to a page that says...YOUR WINDOWS LIVE ID CAN'T BE CHANGED...how can that be? is it just a random glitch? I would really like to know.

# April 7, 2009 8:18 PM

sanjay said:

Well those instructions to change your email id do not work - plain and simple. I do not see the change button in internet explorer. None of these instructions make sense.

# April 10, 2009 7:23 PM

Bill Samuel said:

The problem is that they don't seem to accept external email addresses, at least not from common email providers like verizon.  When I tried to change it to my verizon email address, it indicated that they do not allow using verizon.net addresses.

Microsoft is a strange beast, always aiming carefully and shooting itself in the foot.  They act like they want people to use Microsoft Live, then create all sorts of barriers.  This is a longtime Microsoft issue - Microsoft software is often incompatible with Microsoft's own systems, for example.

# April 13, 2009 2:38 PM

Harold T Sack said:

FYI, you all suck at the Internet. Srsly.

# April 14, 2009 10:01 PM

bor said:

how to change my id ,nobody here give real steps to d........................-----------------------------------

# April 15, 2009 7:32 PM

Trina said:

I am so dissappointed.  I'm certain MSN could've found one brain with enough intelligence to figure out how to improve email services and features with ease.  Why isn't there a way to reset your email address?  Hope it doesn't have anything to do with RECESSION. This is rediculous.

# April 23, 2009 12:38 PM

james bradberry or jim bradberry said:

ween i send an email i get a pop-up that it does not reconize my isp address ho do i change it

# May 6, 2009 3:04 PM

mecool said:

What i want to know is Y msn is now so annoying. i ccan't chane msn email or even create a new account comes up with you have reached the limit for creating windows live ids trye sagain in 24 hours. i do with the same resaults this is moste annoying for me as i cant keep in touch with my contacts. beat that for good customer service. and you will have a winner. i o may have to move to a different messenger service. as i am sick of msn.

Microsoft/msn/win live Please change your services so you dont looose coustemers like this.

# May 7, 2009 9:34 PM

SSS said:

reset password not coming to my alternate email id

# June 6, 2009 1:33 AM

yun said:

i want change it to yun@gmail.com

# June 10, 2009 5:15 AM

maya said:

i can't change my email adress name help this msn is soooooo annaoying

# July 5, 2009 11:44 AM

adrieene harrisoni said:

my old email has been invalid for years mscocoa7@aol.com my new one is cocoa5050@hotmail.com but when i try to edit the old email its not going through says confirmation code needed

# July 7, 2009 11:28 PM

anum said:

I will change my id and my password

# July 15, 2009 9:53 AM

hamid reza rajabi said:

I am registered as h_r_rajabi@live.com.

please change it to hr_rajabi@live.com.

thanks a lot.

# July 21, 2009 3:06 AM

yuuuur said:

i really  can't change my hotmail ID I;ve read all above and I guess I am just going to give and sign up for a  new one and copy all my contacts agaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin ggrrrrrrrrhhhh offffffffffffffffffft  i'm really gitting mad    :(:(

# July 26, 2009 4:38 AM

Oops said:

I want to change my hotmail ID. It doesn't work at all when I followed the instruction from help central.

let me know how to resolve this problem

# August 12, 2009 8:08 AM

Lora Alexander said:

I have had my computer a whole year I haven't been able to use it. Window alive, Hot Mail, Yahoo nothing works, printer, communication seems when you call for help non and void. I need Help.  

# August 13, 2009 11:05 PM

babygirl_1993@hotmail.com said:

i dont no how to  change my window life id

# September 19, 2009 11:21 PM

Dennis said:

Sorry for the broken english

# October 1, 2009 12:35 AM

olumide said:

i want to ask? can you put your phone number on here?

# October 10, 2009 12:58 AM

Bruno said:

Thaaanks a lot :) I've been wondering if this could be done for months :P

# October 20, 2009 10:47 AM

tahir jamil said:

pls reset mo password and mail me on nexgs@hotmail.com

# October 21, 2009 12:26 PM

snalikungwi@hotmail.co.uk said:

goosh! i sign in as samuel1968@hotmail.co.uk but please can you change this email address to snalikungwi@hotmail.co.uk. I WILL BE VERY MUCH HAPPY IF YOU DO THAT TO ME.

# October 24, 2009 12:24 PM

William said:

windowslivehelp.com/.../40461.aspx

You cannot change the primary email if the email is a Microsoft email.

# November 27, 2009 12:07 PM

situ ting said:

hi

Like others, i also feel frustrated when my inquiry in renaming my hotmail is not answered.

can please rename my hotmail address healing1and2@hotmail.com to ylwing@hotmail.com? thanks!

# December 10, 2009 8:34 AM

ghazal said:

How to change Windows Live ID

# January 21, 2010 1:01 PM
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