Microsoft Account Formerly Windows Live ID
Due to the volume of questions, these bullet points are provided to alleviate the confusion about what is a “Microsoft account“:
- “Microsoft account” is the new name for what used to be called a “Windows Live ID.”
- A Microsoft account is NOT a business “Organizational account” for Azure, CRM Online, Intune, or Office 365.
- Your Microsoft account is the combination of an email address and a password that you use to sign in to services like Outlook.com, OneDrive, Windows Phone, or Xbox LIVE.
- If you use an email address and password to sign in to these or other services, you already have a Microsoft account—but you can also sign up for a new one at any time.
- When you setup a Microsoft account, you may use your existing e-mail address or setup a new Hotmail.com or Outlook.com address.
- It’s common to have a Microsoft account for work using your business e-mail address, as well as a personal Microsoft account for consumer purposes using your personal e-mail address or a new Outlook.com address.
- You can also use a Microsoft account to sign in to any PC running Windows 8.
- In addition, Microsoft accounts are used for services like Microsoft licensing and secure portals or encrypted e-mail.
- Over time, all Microsoft consumer 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—for example, on xbox.com or windowsphone.com—but the names mean the same thing, and the services will be updated soon.
- It is strongly recommended that you follow the steps to help protect your account with two-step verification and account recovery.
