All about Microsoft account


One email address—everything you need A Microsoft account is an email address and password. The good news is you probably already have one. If you use Microsoft services like Outlook.com, Xbox, or SkyDrive, the email address and password you already use is your Microsoft account. You don't have to do anything else to get one. Just use that Microsoft account to sign in to your Windows 8 or Windows RT PC, and you'll get free online storage, apps in the Windows Store, music streaming with Xbox music. You can use your Microsoft account to see your photos, documents and files from wherever you sign in, on your phone, laptop, and tablet.

One email address—everything you need

A Microsoft account is an email address and password. The good news is you probably already have one. If you use Microsoft services like Outlook.com, Xbox, or SkyDrive, the email address and password you already use is your Microsoft account. You don't have to do anything else to get one. Just use that Microsoft account to sign in to your Windows 8 or Windows RT PC, and you'll get free online storage, apps in the Windows Store, music streaming with Xbox music. You can use your Microsoft account to see your photos, documents and files from wherever you sign in, on your phone, laptop, and tablet.


Use your existing account or get a new one If you already have a Microsoft account, but you didn't choose to sign in with it when you first set up your PC, you can do it now:

Use your existing account or get a new one

If you already have a Microsoft account, but you didn't choose to sign in with it when you first set up your PC, you can do it now:


Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.) Tap or click Users, tap or click Sign in with a Microsoft account, and then follow the instructions.

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)
Tap or click Users, tap or click Sign in with a Microsoft account, and then follow the instructions.


More than one Microsoft account? If you have more than one Microsoft account (for example, one for your Outlook.com email and one for Xbox) it's a good idea to choose the account you use the most. If you're not sure which one to use, this site will help you choose (English only). Get a new Microsoft account If you don't have one yet, now's the time to get one. And the good news is, signing up for a Microsoft account is fast and free. Add security info Your information is important, and so is your privacy. Make sure your account is as secure as possible by adding security info. You can add info like your phone number, an alternate email address, and a security question and answer. That way, if you ever forget your password or your account gets hacked, we can use your security info to verify your identity and help you get back into your account. For more info, see Why do I need to add security info?

More than one Microsoft account?

If you have more than one Microsoft account (for example, one for your Outlook.com email and one for Xbox) it's a good idea to choose the account you use the most. If you're not sure which one to use, this site will help you choose (English only).

Get a new Microsoft account

If you don't have one yet, now's the time to get one. And the good news is, signing up for a Microsoft account is fast and free.

Add security info

Your information is important, and so is your privacy. Make sure your account is as secure as possible by adding security info. You can add info like your phone number, an alternate email address, and a security question and answer. That way, if you ever forget your password or your account gets hacked, we can use your security info to verify your identity and help you get back into your account. For more info, see Why do I need to add security info?

Sign in with your Microsoft account

Your Microsoft account is your key to free online storage, mobile entertainment, apps in the Windows Store, and connecting your devices and accounts seamlessly. The first step is to sign in to your PC with your Microsoft account. Then you can go do these things:


Get apps from the Windows Store You need a Microsoft account and Windows 8 or Windows RT to get apps from the Windows Store. You can install your apps on up to five PCs that are running Windows 8 or Windows RT.

Get apps from the Windows Store

You need a Microsoft account and Windows 8 or Windows RT to get apps from the Windows Store. You can install your apps on up to five PCs that are running Windows 8 or Windows RT.

Bring together your contacts

Link your Facebook, Twitter, Outlook, and LinkedIn accounts to the People app, and you'll see your friends' contact info and status updates in one place.

See your photos in one place

Link accounts to your Photos app to see your photos from SkyDrive and Facebook, other sites, and your pictures library all right in your Photos app.

Sync your settings

Get your themes, browser favorites and history, content in your apps, photos, and even settings like languages and other preferences on up to five Windows 8 and Windows RT PCs when you sign in with a Microsoft account and sync your settings.

SkyDrive app showing documents and files in the cloud

Get free storage in the cloud with SkyDrive

With a Microsoft account, you get 7 GB of free file storage in the cloud with SkyDrive, a place to see, store, and share your documents and photos. Your Microsoft account links your PC to SkyDrive, so you can store and get to your files in the cloud. There's also a free SkyDrive app for Windows 8 and Windows RT.