How to Change Microsoft Account in Windows 10

All Microsoft products and services are tied to your Microsoft account. It even provides the option to log in using Windows.

same account. However, many users have multiple Microsoft accounts to separate their personal lives from the professional. Others like to use a local account instead. However, how do you change the Microsoft account on your Windows 10 computer when needed? How do you create/add a new account?

While a Microsoft account is not required to use a Windows 10 computer, it is still recommended. There may 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 dual life and have multiple jobs that require you to log into different accounts.
• You are an advanced user, a nosy or a tinkerer developer.
• You want to use two OneDrive accounts to maximize the free storage it offers.

Let’s find out how you can change Microsoft account on Windows 10 computer and what you should pay attention to.

Adding Email ID and Number to the Same Microsoft Account

Many users wanted to change their Microsoft account login email and phone number. No need to create a new account just for that. You can add up to 10 email IDs and numbers as ‘aliases’ to the same account 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’.

Stage 1: Open your Microsoft Account administration area and under Account aliases where you can add a new email id or number.

Step 2: Choose the first option if you want to create a new Outlook account right there, or the second option if you’re using a third-party email provider like Gmail.

You should know that there is no way to move aliases from one Microsoft account to another. You can’t recover aliases either. If you delete an alias in a Microsoft account, it will be deleted from Microsoft servers forever and you or anyone else will not be able to use it in another Microsoft account.

Change Microsoft Account to Local and Versa Versa

Other users wanted to get rid of their Microsoft account and go local or vice versa.

For inexperienced users, there are two types of accounts you can create on Windows powered computers. You can create a local account or a Microsoft account. A local account is an account that only requires a username and password. You can also remove your password later. None of your Microsoft data leaves your computer or syncs to any other Windows device. It stays offline and on a single device. Still, the Store, Skype etc. Many Microsoft apps, such as Microsoft, will not work or be downloaded without a Microsoft account.

A Microsoft account, on the other hand, will sync all your activities across devices and keep all data in the cloud on Microsoft servers. The benefit is obvious. Want to switch between them?

Stage 1: Press Windows key+I to open Settings and click Accounts.

Step 2: Click ‘Sign in with a local account instead’ to start the process.

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

You will follow the same steps to switch from a local account to a Microsoft account. This time, you will instead select the ‘Sign in with a Microsoft account instead’ option, which should appear 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 from Microsoft) and you want to use this new account on your Windows 10 computer.

Stage 1: Open Settings again (Windows key+I) and go to Accounts > Family & other users.

Step 2: Click the ‘Add someone else to this PC’ button.

You will now follow the on-screen instructions and enter the new Microsoft account ID and password to add this account to your computer. Installation instructions will include settings such as 2FA and Windows Hello. Just like when you added your first Microsoft account.

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

Double Accounting System

Microsoft allows many ways to manage your Windows 10 computer. Unlike Windows 7 and earlier, you have more options like using a local or Microsoft account, and it opens up new possibilities. I suggest you take the time to think about what you want to do and how you want it done. This will save you the hassle of going back and forth between settings and accounts. Always protect your account with features like Hello or 2FA. Either one day it will save you a lot of headaches.

Let us know if you have any questions in the comments section below.

Next: Do you know the difference between standard and admin user in Windows 10? Click on the link below to learn the difference between the two types of user accounts in Windows.