Windows 10: Switching my pc to a new Microsoft account after losing access to my old account

Hi, here is my question.


I recently had my Microsoft account compromised. Unfortunately I had not kept my phone number up to date in security so my only recovery option was the on-line form. This has not worked and looking at others with the same issue it never will.


So I have decided to bite the bullet.


I have set up a new Microsoft account and e-mail.


Problem is that my laptop was set up from new with my old account and e-mail and also I have a 365 and a one drive account on that old e-mail for file backup.


I understand that I have simply lost access now to that backed up data forever - that's okay.


I plan to purchase Office 365 on my new account and I need to switch my laptop over so that my new account is the one I sign in with and sync my files to the new one drive account also.


I have seen other posts about switching to a local account and then signing in with the new Microsoft account and I have a few questions:


- will this work in my situation?

- I see that the local account sign in has a step where you enter the password for the old Microsoft Account - this may ne a problem for me as I know the password but the account is compromised/blocked so the password may not work

- will I lose my local files by doing this since I'm signing in as a new account - should I back them up somewhere first.

- hopefully my apps will be okay because the new account will have a 365 account


Any tips to reduce the pain here will be appreciated! thanks

:)

 

How to replace old Microsoft Account with a new Microsoft Account

Hi Hitendra,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community. I understand your concern and I am glad to assist you.

I would suggest you to switch your Microsoft account to a Local account first and then switch back with a new Microsoft account. Please refer to the following steps:

Step 1:

• Type Manage your accounts
  in the search bar and click on it
• Click on "sign in with a local account instead"
• Press next and complete the process.
• If you do not have a local account, leave the credentials blank and proceed.

Step 2: Now, on the newly converted Local account, follow these steps to add a new MSA.

1. In the Start search, type "Manage your accounts" and press Enter.

2. Choose 'Accounts'.

3. Click on "sign in with a local account instead"

4. Enter the Microsoft account ID and Password and click Next.

Hope this post helps. Get back to us for further queries. We are happy to help!

 

Change Microsoft Account Details in Administrator Account


Hi Daryl, welcome to the Ten Forums.

It's quite easy in fact, simply switch the account in question first to a local account, then switch back to a Microsoft account, this time using your wife's MS account credentials.

Tutorials:

• Step 1: Local Account - Switch to in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
• Step 2: Microsoft Account - Switch to in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

Notice that before doing this you need to remove the new additional MS account on the PC, the one you created with her credentials. Windows allows only one user account for each email address, if the new account exists you cannot switch the original administrator account to an MS account using the same email address. Tutorial: User Account - Delete in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

 

Creating a MS account without losing Local account

Go to https://account.microsoft.com, click Create account and fill the form:





With a Microsoft account you can then use OneDrive and Office Online apps for free. You can also use built-in native Windows apps which require a Microsoft account like Mail, Skype Preview, People, Calendar and download apps from Windows Store.

See steps 3 to 5 in this tutorial to continue using local account as Windows sign-in account even when / if you download apps from store and / or use Windows apps requiring a Microsoft account, to avoid Windows user account converting to Microsoft account: Store - Use when Signing in to Windows 10 with Local Account - Windows 10 Forums

Other tutorials you might be interested in when you have created a Microsoft account:

• Microsoft Account Two-step Verification - Turn On or Off - Windows 10 Forums
• Microsoft Account - Link to Digital License on Windows 10 PC - Windows 10 Forums