"Microsoft account" is the new name for what used to be called a "Windows Live ID." Your Microsoft account is the combination of an email address and a password that you use to sign in to services like Hotmail, Messenger, SkyDrive, Windows Phone, Xbox LIVE, or Outlook.com. Over time, all Microsoft services will be switching from the old name to the new one. You might continue to see mentions of "Windows Live ID" instead of "Microsoft account" for a while.
Questions tagged [microsoft-account]
209 questions
172
votes
9 answers
How to rename user folder in Windows 8?
When I log in on a Windows 8 machine for the first time with my Microsoft Account (by providing an e-mail address), a new user folder is created:
C:\Users\dzinx_000
In previous versions of Windows, I could choose the name of this folder (it was…
Dzinx
- 4,230
87
votes
3 answers
How to share any folder without password in Windows 8/10 in a home network if a Microsoft account is involved?
My question is: How to set up file sharing correctly, in a home network, with Windows 8/10, so sharing any folder with "Everyone" (File Explorer->Right click on folder->Properties->Sharing->AdvancedSharing->Share this folder) actually shares the…
Peter
- 4,630
47
votes
8 answers
How to enable 3rd party cookies ONLY for Microsoft Teams
The company I work for wants us to begin using Microsoft Teams however after logging in the page goes into a redirect loop for about a minute, and then finally ends up on this error screen.
I know that I could just open my browser settings (Chrome…
Chris Barr
- 727
46
votes
5 answers
"You need to fix your Microsoft account" notification
The "You need to fix your Microsoft account" notification pops up every 10 minutes with the new Anniversary Update. This notification appears because I am not signed into my Microsoft account. I do not wish to sign into my Microsoft account. Ever.…
LinaleeEshna
- 461
44
votes
4 answers
How can I set up Windows 11 22H2 with a local account?
After installing Windows 11 22H2, the wizard forces me to connect to the Internet and use a Microsoft Online Account. Is it possible to bypass it and use a local account?
Haozhe Xie
- 1,289
27
votes
5 answers
How can I sync SkyDrive/OneDrive on Windows 8.1 when signing in to PC with local account?
I have previously asked how I can install, or upgrade to, Windows 8.1, without using a Microsoft account, because "I like to keep things separate, and just logon with a tradional local account. Any apps that require me to sign-in with my Live…
abstrask
- 4,909
21
votes
1 answer
Why does Windows 10 truncate the user name?
If you install Windows 10 using a Microsoft account, instead of a local account, it will truncate the username to five letters, and use that as the user directory and a few other things. (you can fix the user directory with this:…
20
votes
3 answers
Skip "Sign in to your Microsoft account" (Windows 8.1 Setup)
I have an RT tablet and updated it to Windows 8.1. The update basically performs the new PC setup.
I can't get past the "Sign into your Microsoft Account". Clicking "Next" does not allow me to proceed (and prompts me for an email address).
Clicking…
jww
- 12,722
16
votes
2 answers
How to choose a username when using a Microsoft Account in Windows 8?
As noted in my other question, Windows assigns a strange username (_000) when logging in with a Microsoft Account to a computer for the first time. It is quite difficult to change this username (and associated folder in C:\Users) later.
Is it…
Dzinx
- 4,230
16
votes
2 answers
How do I manage the link between a Windows 10 license and a Microsoft account?
In at least two help pages, Microsoft explains that a Windows 10 license can be linked to a Microsoft account, allowing it to be easily moved between computers:
Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change
Using the Activation…
Etienne Dechamps
- 2,045
13
votes
1 answer
Disconnect Microsoft account from my local account
I was happily using local account on my Windows 8/8.1 machine. Was. Today I wanted to install some app from Windows Store. I wanted to assess some UX scenario in it. To do so I had to sign in using my Microsoft account. So I did.
Not only I signed…
Robert Koritnik
- 2,096
13
votes
1 answer
Can't sign in to Office and OneNote can't connect to SkyDrive in Windows 8.1
The OneNote issue
Since I installed Windows 8.1 I can't open my OneNote notebooks stored on SkyDrive with OneNote 2013.
When I try to open a notebook in OneNote, I get the following error:
We can't get your notebooks right now. Please try again…
Greg
- 131
13
votes
2 answers
How to delete skype chat history stored on hotmail/live/outlook.com?
Please note, I'm not talking about the skype chat history on the skype software, which I can easly delete by going to Tools/Options/Privacy, etc...
I'm talking about that all of my chat conversations I do on skype using the normal skype software are…
Craig Stevensson
- 307
11
votes
4 answers
How do I see all Windows licenses linked to my Microsoft account?
I had Windows 10 Home, the license for which was linked to my Microsoft account, then I bought a key to upgrade to Pro, which is now also linked to my Microsoft account.
I'd like to see the licenses linked to my account and I'd like to know how to…
Glass Wizzard
- 213
10
votes
1 answer
How can I have different backgrounds on different computers?
So I have two Windows 8 VMs. I want to set one's theme to blue/black colors and the others to red colors.
The reason I want these different is that I will be using the VMs simultaneously. One is 32 bit, and the other is 64 bit. I want to have an…
Earlz
- 4,564