Where to find the email settings in Outlook

The location of your email settings depends on which version of Outlook you use. If you use Outlook on the web (the browser version at outlook.com or outlook.office.com), click the gear icon in the top right corner, then select "View all Outlook settings." If you use Outlook as a desktop process on Windows or Mac, go to the "File" menu, then "Account Settings," then "Account Settings" again from the dropdown.

Once you are in settings, look for a section labeled "Email" or "Email addresses." This is where you can see all the email addresses connected to your account and make changes to which one appears as your primary sending address.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your primary email address in Outlook settings, but the process differs between the web version and the desktop process.
  • Adding a new email address to your account is separate from changing which address shows when you send mail.
  • If you want to stop using an old email address entirely, you may need to remove it after setting a new primary address.
  • Changes to your primary email address take effect when ready in most cases, though syncing across devices may take a few minutes.

Changing your primary email address in Outlook on the web

In Outlook on the web, after you open "View all Outlook settings," select "Mail" from the left sidebar, then scroll down to find "Default reply-to address" or "Primary email address." The exact wording varies depending on your account type. Click the dropdown menu next to it and select the email address you want to use as your primary address going forward.

If the address you want to use does not appear in the dropdown, you may need to add it first. Look for an "Add email address" or "Add alias" option in the same settings area. Enter the new address, confirm it (Outlook will send a verification link to that address), and then return to set it as primary.

After you make the change, click "Save" at the bottom of the settings page. Your new primary address will be the one that appears in the "From" field when you compose new messages.

Changing your primary email address in Outlook desktop

In the Outlook desktop process, open "File," then "Account Settings," then "Account Settings" again. Find the account you want to change in the list and click it once to select it. Look for a button labeled "Set as Default" or "Make Primary"—this button appears when you select an account that is not currently your default.

If you need to add a new email address to your account before making it primary, click "New" in the Account Settings window. Enter the email address and follow the prompts to verify it. Once verified, return to the account list, select the new address, and click "Set as Default."

Close the Account Settings window when you are finished. The change takes effect when ready, though Outlook may need a moment to sync the change across your devices if you use the app on multiple computers or phones.

Adding a new email address before changing your primary

If the email address you want to use as primary does not yet exist in your Outlook account, you must add it before you can set it as primary. In Outlook on the web, go to settings, select "Mail," and look for "Add email address" or "Add alias." In the desktop app, go to "File" > "Account Settings" > "Account Settings" and click "New."

Outlook will ask you to verify the new address by sending a confirmation link to that email inbox. Check the inbox of the new address, click the verification link, and return to Outlook. The address is now part of your account and ready to be set as primary.

Removing an old email address you no longer use

Once you have set a new primary email address, you may want to remove an old one entirely. In Outlook on the web, go to settings, find the address you want to remove, and look for a delete or remove button next to it. In the desktop app, go to "File" > "Account Settings" > "Account Settings," select the old address, and click "Remove."

You can only remove an email address if it is not your primary address. If you try to remove the address currently set as primary, Outlook will ask you to choose a different primary address first. After removal, that address will no longer receive mail or appear in your account.

What happens to mail sent to your old address

Changing your primary email address does not automatically redirect mail sent to your old address. If you want people to continue reaching you at the old address, you have two options: keep it as a secondary address in your account (so mail still arrives), or set up forwarding through your email provider.

If you keep the old address as a secondary address, mail sent to it will still arrive in your inbox, but it will not appear in the "From" field when you send new messages. If you remove the old address entirely and want to forward mail from it, you will need to do that through your email provider's settings, not through Outlook itself.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the address you want to set as primary does not appear in the dropdown menu, it may not be verified yet. Check the inbox of that email address for a verification message from Outlook and click the confirmation link. Wait a few minutes, then refresh your settings page.

If you see an error message saying you cannot change your primary address, check whether the address you are trying to remove is still in use elsewhere. Some accounts require you to have at least one active email address at all times. If you are trying to remove your last remaining address, add a new one first, then remove the old one.

If changes do not appear to take effect after several minutes, try signing out of Outlook completely and signing back in. This forces the app to refresh your account settings. On the desktop app, you may also need to restart the process entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have multiple email addresses in one Outlook account?

Yes. You can add multiple email addresses to a single Outlook account and choose which one appears as your primary sending address. Mail sent to any of your addresses will arrive in the same inbox. Only one address can be primary at a time, but you can switch between them whenever you want.

Will changing my primary email address affect my contacts or calendar?

No. Your contacts, calendar, and all other Outlook data remain unchanged when you switch your primary email address. Only the address that appears in the "From" field of new messages will change. People who already have your old address in their contacts will still be able to reach you if you keep that address active in your account.

How long does it take for the change to show up?

The change is usually when ready in Outlook on the web. In the desktop app, it may take a few minutes to sync across your devices. If you use Outlook on your phone, tablet, and computer, allow up to 15 minutes for all devices to show the new primary address.

What if I forgot the password to my old email address?

If you cannot access the old email address to verify it or remove it, you may still be able to remove it from your Outlook account without verification. In settings, look for the option to remove the address directly. If that does not work, contact Microsoft support through your account settings for help removing an inaccessible address.

Can I change my email address back if I change my mind?

Yes, as long as the old address is still part of your account. Go back to your email settings, and set the previous address as primary again. If you removed the old address entirely, you can add it back by following the steps to add a new email address, then set it as primary.