How to change email for my Windows 11 HP laptop

Add the new Outlook.com address as an alias of the existing Microsoft account rather than signing into Windows with a separate Microsoft account; this preserves the current Windows profile, desktop, files, settings, contacts, OneDrive, and subscriptions.^1^

First determine whether the new address is separate

Try signing in to the new Outlook address independently:

• If it has its own password/account, it is already a separate Microsoft account. Microsoft accounts cannot be merged, and that existing address cannot be added as an alias of the old account.^2^
• If you have not yet created it as a separate account, add it as an alias using the procedure below.

The empty desktop appeared because signing in with the separate account created or opened a different Windows user profile. Your original files have not automatically moved to that profile.

Preferred option: add a new Outlook alias

While signed into the old Hotmail account:

1. Open the Microsoft account “How you sign in” page.
2. Select Add email.
3. Choose to create a new Outlook.com address and follow the prompts.
4. Use that new address to sign in to the same Microsoft account. Both addresses remain usernames for the same account.^1^

If Windows does not update to the new alias:

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info.
2. Select Sign in with a local account instead.
3. Create the temporary local sign-in, select Sign out and finish, and sign back in.
4. Restart the laptop.
5. Return to Settings > Accounts > Your info.
6. Select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.
7. Enter the new alias and the password for the existing Microsoft account.
8. Restart again.

This relinks the existing Windows profile rather than creating an empty one, so its files and applications remain in place.^3^ The local/Microsoft account switching controls are documented for Windows 11 by Microsoft Support.^4^

Do not remove the old Hotmail alias until the new alias works for Windows, Outlook, OneDrive, and any Microsoft subscriptions.

If the new Outlook address is already a separate account

Since you already reached its empty desktop, keep the accounts separate and copy the data:

1. Sign back into the old Windows profile from Start > account picture/icon > old account.^5^
2. Back up important files before copying anything.
3. Sign into the new Windows profile.
4. Open File Explorer > This PC > Local Disk (C:) > Users.
5. Open the old profile folder and copy the contents of Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Downloads, Music, and Videos into the corresponding folders under the new profile.
6. Restart and sign into the new profile.

Microsoft’s profile-copy procedure uses C:\Users\<Old_Username> and C:\Users\<New_Username>. Do not enable hidden or protected operating-system files, and copy personal folders rather than deleting the old profile.^6^

If the old Desktop or Documents are stored in OneDrive instead:

1. Sign into the old OneDrive account and confirm the files are present.
2. Download or copy the required folders.
3. Sign into the new OneDrive account and upload them.
4. Confirm the files are accessible before unlinking or removing anything.^7^

Email, contacts, purchases, subscriptions, and account history do not move merely by copying the Windows folders. Some applications may need to be reconfigured or reinstalled, and email data may require a separate export/import.^6^ Keep the old account and old Windows profile until all files and services have been checked.

References

1. How to add an email address to your Microsoft account
2. How can I transfer my current free Outlook mail to a new account without losing my perks or legacy status? - Microsoft Q&A
3. Will changing the primary email address on my Microsoft account affect how I sign in to my computer - Microsoft Q&A
4. Change From a Local Account to a Microsoft Account in Windows | Microsoft Support
5. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/security/user-account-access-in-windows#switch-user)
6. Fix a corrupted user profile | Microsoft Support
7. To Move data to a new profile ___@outlook-- to xxx@outllook-- - Microsoft Q&A