How to change the Microsoft account on your Windows Phone

Article ID: 2430020 - View products that this article applies to.
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Summary

Your Microsoft account (formerly known as Windows Live ID) is used to access features such as Store (Marketplace), Xbox LIVE, Xbox Music Pass, and Zune Music Pass on your Windows Phone.

To change the Microsoft account that you use to access these features, you have to reset your phone to its original factory settings. However, you can remove any other email account, including additional Microsoft accounts, without resetting your phone.

Important A reset deletes all personal data and restores your phone to the state it was in when you purchased it.
  • The personal content that gets erased after a reset includes: Purchased and downloaded apps, ringtones, saved games, contact groups, any pictures, music, or videos, and text messages, which can’t be restored after they’re deleted.
  • Items that can be restored to the phone include: Media content that you previously synced with your PC, purchased apps, and saved games.
For more information on how to backup and restore your information, and perform a hard reset of your phone, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base articles:
  • 2606900
    (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2606900/ )
    Your Windows Phone 7 doesn’t work or respond as expected
  • 2749480
    (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2749480/ )
    Your Windows Phone 8 doesn't work or respond as expected

To change your Microsoft account, follow these steps:

1. Locate your primary Microsoft account:
  1. On Start, flick left to the App list, tap Settings
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    , and then tap Email+accounts.
  2. Look for the first email account in the list that is named "Microsoft account" or "Windows Live".
    Tip If you renamed your primary account to something other than "Microsoft account," look for the first account that is listed with the Windows logo
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    next to it.

2. Change the Microsoft account for your phone:

  1. On Start, flick left to the App list, tap Settings
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    , and then tap About.
  2. Tap Reset your phone, and then follow the instructions to complete the reset of your phone.
  3. After your phone is reset, you can sign in with a Microsoft account of your choice. This will be the primary account that you use to access Store (Marketplace), Xbox LIVE, Xbox Music Pass, or Zune Music Pass on your Windows Phone.

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Properties

Article ID: 2430020 - Last Review: April 15, 2013 - Revision: 4.3
Applies to
  • Windows Phone Consumer
  • Windows Phone Services
  • Windows Phone 8 for Consumers
  • Windows Phone 7 Consumer
Keywords: 
kbwp7oobe kbwp7 kbwp8 KB2430020
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