Windows 10: want to change the primary email on my Microsoft account

I have two Microsoft Accounts. One has a subscription. I want to change the email on the account that has the subscription to the email that belongs to the other account. When I try to do that, it tells me that other email is in use. So I deleted the other account because I don't need it, but I still get that email already in use message. What can I do?

:)

 

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.

 

Change the primary account email on my Surface Book 2

Hi,

I have changed my email associated with Microsoft account (by creating a new profile) and can't find a way to replace the now obselete email showing in my primary profile, or removing this primary profile completely to be replaced by the new profile/email. The only solution suggested on Mircosoft Community is to sign in with a local account instead (under Account Settings on my laptop). I'm relunctant to do this due to the backup of the recovery key associated with the microsoft account and potential issues accessing my computer files with the secondary email only. So complicated to change a profile email address. So many hours wasted searching...

Please can anyone provide a simple step by step solution?

*** Moved from Windows / Windows 10 / Settings ***

 

Change the primary account email on my Surface Book 2

Hello hamish,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

I am aware that you wanted to change the primary account email on your Surface Book 2.

• Are you referring to your Microsoft account profile or the administrator user profile on your Surface?
  

I understand that you’re reluctant to sign in with a local account due to the backup of the recovery key associated with the Microsoft account and potential issues accessing your computer files with the secondary email only.



Here are the steps to change the primary email address associated with your Microsoft account on your Surface Book 2:

1. Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with your current Microsoft account email and password.

2. Click on "Your info" at the top of the page.

3. Click on "Manage how you sign in to Microsoft" and then "Add email".

4. Enter the new email address you want to use as your primary email and follow the prompts to verify it.

5. Once the new email is verified, click on "Make primary" next to the email address you want to use as your primary email.



Your new email address should now be the primary email associated with your Microsoft account. If you want to remove the old email address completely, you can click on "Remove" next to it. However, please note that this may affect your ability to access certain Microsoft services or products that were associated with the old email address.

I hope to hear back from you.

Kind regards,

Lavenia