You can change the name on your Microsoft account in Settings, and it takes about five minutes

Your Microsoft account name — the display name that appears when you sign in and use Microsoft services — can be changed directly through your account settings. You do not need to create a new account or contact Microsoft support unless your account has been compromised. The change applies across all Microsoft services you use, including Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox, and Windows.

The process is the same whether you are changing your name for personal reasons, correcting a misspelling, or updating after a legal name change. Microsoft does not require you to verify the change with documentation, though if you are changing the name associated with billing or payment methods, you may want to update those separately to avoid confusion with your bank or credit card company.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign in to your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com, select "Your info," and click "Manage your Microsoft account name" to change the display name that appears across all Microsoft services.
  • The name change takes effect when ready, but it may take a few minutes to appear in all Microsoft apps and services you are currently using.
  • If you cannot find the name change option, your account may have restrictions — usually because it is linked to a work or school organization that controls account settings.
  • Changing your display name does not change your email address or password, and you will still sign in using the same credentials.
  • If you have a work or school account, contact your IT department or school administrator to request a name change, because personal account settings may be locked.

Step-by-step: changing your display name

Go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with your email address and password. Once you are signed in, look for "Your info" in the left navigation menu and click it.

On the Your info page, you will see your current display name near the top. Click the button labeled "Manage your Microsoft account name" — this is usually a blue link or button. A window will open showing your first and last name fields. Edit these fields to your new name, then click "Next" to confirm.

Microsoft will ask you to re-enter your password to verify the change. Type your password and click "Next." The system will confirm that your name has been updated. You can now close the window and return to your account dashboard.

When the change does not appear right away

After you change your name, it appears when ready in your account settings, but it may take a few minutes to show up in Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox, or other Microsoft apps you have open. If you are already signed in to an app when you make the change, sign out and sign back in to see the new name.

If you have been using the same Microsoft account across multiple devices — a phone, tablet, and computer — the name change will sync to all of them, but the timing varies. Restarting the app or device usually speeds this up. If the old name still appears after an hour, try signing out of the app completely, waiting a minute, and signing back in.

If you cannot find the name change option

Some Microsoft accounts do not have a visible "Manage your Microsoft account name" button. This usually means your account is managed by an organization — your employer, school, or university — and they have locked down account settings to prevent changes.

If this is the case, you will need to contact your IT department, school administrator, or HR office to request a name change. They control the settings on your account and can update your name on their end. Do not try to create a workaround; the organization's rules exist to keep accounts find and properly linked to their systems.

Changing your name does not change your email address

Your display name and your email address are separate. If your email is jane.smith@outlook.com and you change your display name to Jane Johnson, your email address stays jane.smith@outlook.com. You will still sign in using that email address and your password.

If you want to change your email address itself — for example, to switch from an Outlook address to a Gmail address for signing in — that is a different process and requires adding a new email to your account and setting it as your primary sign-in method. Your original email will remain linked to the account unless you remove it.

Updating your name on billing and payment methods

If your Microsoft account is linked to a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account — you may want to update the name on file with your bank or payment provider to match your new Microsoft account name. This is not required by Microsoft, but it can prevent confusion if your bank sees a mismatch between the cardholder name and the name on the transaction.

To update payment information in your Microsoft account, go to account.microsoft.com, select "Payment & billing," and then "Payment methods." You can edit the name associated with each payment method there. Changes to your payment information do not affect your display name and do not require you to re-enter your password.

What happens to your old name in shared files and emails

If you have shared files in OneDrive or sent emails through Outlook before changing your name, those files and emails will still show your old name as the creator or sender. Microsoft does not retroactively update the name on past activity. Going forward, new files and emails will show your new name.

If you need to update the name on a shared file or folder, you can re-share it or edit the sharing settings after the name change takes effect. For emails already sent, the recipient will continue to see the old name in their inbox, but new emails from you will show the updated name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Microsoft account name more than once?

Yes, you can change your display name as many times as you want. There is no limit on how often you can update it. However, if you change it very frequently in a short period, Microsoft may flag your account for security review to make sure it has not been compromised.

Will changing my name affect my Xbox account or Game Pass?

Your display name change will appear on your Xbox profile and in Game Pass, but your Xbox gamertag (the name other players see) is separate and does not change automatically. You can update your gamertag separately in Xbox settings if you want it to match your new Microsoft account name.

What if I forgot my password and cannot sign in to change my name?

You will need to reset your password first. Go to account.microsoft.com, click "Sign in," and then click "Can't access your account?" Follow the steps to verify your identity and reset your password. Once you can sign in again, you can change your name using the steps above.

Does changing my name on Microsoft affect my Windows login?

If you sign in to Windows using your Microsoft account, your Windows profile name may take a few minutes to update after you change your Microsoft account name. The change is automatic and does not require you to do anything in Windows settings.

Can I change my name if my account is suspended or locked?

No. If your account is suspended or locked for security reasons, you will not be able to change your name until the issue is resolved. Contact Microsoft support to unlock your account first, then you can proceed with the name change.