Windows 10: Can't use my real primary address as an alias on my Microsoft account, and other account...

In the past, I used my primary email address as the primary address to sign in: *** Email address is removed for privacy *** not the actual address, but you get the idea.Several years ago, for some reason, Microsoft wanted me to add another email address as an alias, so I used my gmail address which I rarely use. It became my primary alias without my permission.I tried to change this today. I'm worried about deleting the *** Email address is removed for privacy *** alias on the account page, and when I attempted to enter that same address as a new alias I thought it might choke at the duplicate. Instead, I got this message:"You can't add

:)

 

Unable to change primary alias - Microsoft Account

Hi John,

As per the description, you are experiencing issue with you are unable to change the primary alias for your Microsoft account on the system.

I certainly understand your concern and appreciate all your efforts in trying to fix this issue.

I would like to provide you with the information that
an account alias is an email address or phone number that you use to sign in to your Microsoft account. You can have multiple aliases, and use any of them with Microsoft services such as Outlook.com, Skype, OneDrive,
Office, Xbox, Windows and more.

Your primary alias appears on devices such as your Xbox, Surface, and Windows Phone, and is the email OneDrive sends from when you share. You can choose a different alias to be the primary one at any time.

An alias is also the best way to change your email, but keep all your mail.
Add an alias, then make the new alias primary. Then you can
keep or remove the original alias.

I would suggest you to try the following steps and check if that helps.

• Sign in to the
  Microsoft account website.
• Under Account aliases, click/tap on the Make primary link to the right of an
  
  added email alias you want to be your primary alias.

Note: The email alias at the top of the list without a Make primary link is your current primary alias.

• Uncheck the Send me promotional offers from Microsoft box if you like, and click/tap on Yes to confirm.

You may also try the following steps given below and check if that helps.

• Navigate to Start>Settings>Account>Your Account.
• In the right pane, click on Sign in with a local account instead.
• Provide your current Microsoft Account Password.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.
• You can leave the Enter Password option empty, however, it is highly recommended to keep a password on your system to keep it safe.
  

For reference:

I would suggest you to refer to the article given below and check if that helps.

Microsoft account help

Account help

I hope this information is helpful.

Please do let us know if you need any further assistance, we will be glad to assist you.

Thank you.

 

Unable to change primary alias - Microsoft Account

I have an old email address ...@bigpond.com as my primary alias. I no longer use this address and will shortly be cancelling that account. That email address, being my primary alias, appears on all of the Office 365 applications on my devices (2 laptops
and 1 android phone)

I have entered a new alias, my gmail.com email address and that has been accepted at my Microsoft Account and appears as a secondary alias . However whenever I attempt to change my primary alias to the new gmail address I receive an error message that "Unable
to make this alias primary at this time. Try again later". This has been occurring for a couple of weeks.

When I attempt to remove my current bigpond account as my primary alias I receive an error message that I'm unable to do this until I make another alias the Primary alias

And so it goes in a never ending circle. I am unable to make my secondary gmail alias the primary alias and when I try to remove the bigpond primary alias I am unable to do so until I create a new primary alias!

Frustrating and I can't find any help online

I am not part of an organisation. I am the Administrator for my account and am logged in as such

Where can I turn for help?

John

 

Change Account Primary Alias

I have added an e-mail address to my Microsoft account am now using it on my phone. Note to readers: It seems that a phone number cannot be the primary alias. The primary alias must be and e-mail address.