Your Outlook email address is likely one of your most important digital identifiers. It is connected to many of your online accounts, subscriptions, contacts, and more. So when it comes time to update your Outlook email address, it can feel like a daunting task.
However, changing your Outlook email address does not have to be complicated. With the right steps, you can update your address while keeping your existing emails, contacts, calendar events, and more intact.
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When You Should Update Your Email Address
There are several common reasons why you may need or want to update your Outlook email address:
You got married or divorced and changed your last name: Updating your email address is an important step to reflect your new legal name.
Your old email is unprofessional: If your Outlook email address is something silly or unprofessional from your younger days, it may be time to upgrade.
You want an email tied to your domain: Rather than a @outlook.com address, you may prefer a professional email tied to your own domain, like [yourname]@yourcompany.com.
You were hacked or spammed: If your old email address has security issues or is overrun with spam, getting a fresh start with a new email can help resolve those problems.
You are changing jobs: In some cases when changing jobs or careers, it makes sense to update your professional email address accordingly.
No matter what prompts you to update your address, the process in Outlook is straightforward.
How to Change Your Outlook Email Address
The easiest way to change your Outlook email address is to add your new address as an “alias” within your Microsoft account. Here is how it works:
Step 1: Add New Email Address as an Alias
First, sign in to your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com. Under Your Info:
- Click Edit profile.
- Under Account alias, click Add email alias.
- Enter your new preferred email address.
- Click Add alias.
Your new email address is now added as an alias linked to your account.
Step 2: Set Alias as Primary Address
Once your alias is added, set it as your primary sign-in address:
- Under Your Info, click Edit profile.
- Under Sign-in preferences, find your new alias and click Make primary.
Your new email alias is now your primary sign-in email address for your Microsoft account.
Step 3: Update Contacts
Finally, let your contacts know about your new address:
- In Outlook, go to Contacts and edit contacts to update your email address.
- Send an email to your contacts informing them about your new address.
And that’s it! Your new alias email is now fully set up and ready to use within Outlook.
Key Things to Know About Changing Your Email
Here are some key things to keep in mind when changing your Outlook email address:
- All data transfers over: When you add your new address as an alias, all existing Outlook data like emails, contacts, and calendar transfers over seamlessly.
- You can have multiple aliases: You can add up to 10 alias email addresses within your Microsoft account. Useful for separating work and personal email.
- Old address still works: Your old email address will still function for receiving emails, even after changing addresses.
- Contacts may need updating: Inform frequent contacts of your new address. For contacts only in your Outlook, edit them to reflect your updated email address.
Making a Smooth Transition
Changing something as vital as your email address takes some extra care. Here are tips for making the transition smooth:
- Phase out the old address slowly over several months rather than abruptly shutting it down.
- Set up an auto-reply notification on your old address informing senders about your new email.
- Export old data like emails and contacts before deleting your old account, in case you ever need to reference them.
- Update your email address and re-subscribe to newsletters, services, LinkedIn, social media, and other accounts.
Following this comprehensive guide, you can feel confident about seamlessly updating your Outlook email address. Treat it as a multi-step process rather than a one-and-done switch, and the transition will go smoothly. Within a few months, your new address will be fully phased in and ready to serve as your new digital identity.