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You can create a Microsoft account for free with an email address you already have, or make a new Outlook.com address. Create it during Windows setup or in a browser, then connect it to Windows. Windows 10 and 11 offer similar account options, but Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; if your PC supports Windows 11, consider upgrading.
What a Microsoft account is—and what it isn’t
A personal Microsoft account is an online sign-in for services such as Windows, Outlook.com, OneDrive, Microsoft Store, Xbox, Skype, and Microsoft 365. You can use one account across those services. Microsoft explains what an account connects to.
You do not need a new email address: an eligible Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, ISP, or other email address can be the username. Or you can create a free Outlook.com address. An address already tied to a Microsoft account should be used to sign in rather than registered again; an address previously used for an account may not be reusable, even if that account was closed. See Microsoft’s account creation guidance.
Creating the account is free. It is not a Windows product key or a Microsoft 365 subscription. A free account can access Microsoft services and web versions of Office apps, but does not by itself include the full desktop Office applications. A Microsoft account is also distinct from a work or school account, a local Windows account, and an administrator account.
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Before you start
- Have an email address you can access, or plan to create an Outlook.com address.
- Have an internet connection and a way to complete any verification Microsoft requests, such as an email or phone code. Fields and verification steps can vary by location and sign-up flow.
- If you are creating an account for a child, expect a parent or guardian to take part in finishing setup. Age and region can affect the process.
Create an account during Windows setup
- Turn on the PC and follow the initial prompts for region and keyboard layout.
- Connect to the internet. Microsoft says an internet connection is required to complete setup on Windows Home and Pro devices. The screens vary by Windows version, edition, region, manufacturer, and whether an organization manages the PC.
- When setup asks who will use the device or requests a Microsoft account, choose Create one or the equivalent option.
- Enter an existing email address, or choose the option to create a new Outlook.com address.
- Create a password, enter the requested details, and complete the verification step.
- Follow the remaining Windows prompts. You may be offered Windows Hello, backup, and privacy choices; review each rather than assuming every file or setting will be synchronized.
If you cannot get online, try Wi-Fi, Ethernet, restarting the router, or another available network such as a phone hotspot. Microsoft’s setup connectivity guidance covers getting connected. Do not rely on an offline-setup workaround: availability can vary, and Microsoft’s current guidance requires internet to finish Home and Pro setup.
Create the account in a browser first
- Open Microsoft’s official account-creation page and select the account creation option.
- Enter an existing email address, or select the option to get a new Outlook.com address.
- Create a password and provide the requested name, country or region, birth date, and verification information.
- Complete any email, phone, or other verification prompt. If prompted to prove you are human, complete the on-screen check.
- Sign in at Microsoft account and add or review recovery and security information.
Once the account works, use it during Windows setup or connect it to an existing Windows profile as described below. Avoid unofficial account-creation or verification services.
Connect a Microsoft account to a Windows profile you already use
This changes the sign-in identity for your current Windows profile; it does not create a separate person’s profile. The path is the same in Windows 10 and Windows 11, though the appearance can differ:
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- Open Settings.
- Select Accounts, then Your info.
- Select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.
- Enter an existing Microsoft account, or choose Create one and follow the prompts.
- Confirm your current Windows credentials if asked. Follow the prompts and sign out when Windows requests it, then sign back in.
Use Microsoft’s instructions for changing from a local account if the labels differ. Connecting an account does not automatically make it an administrator or guarantee that all files and settings will sync.
Add a separate user to the PC
If another adult or child needs their own desktop, files, and settings, add a separate Windows user instead of converting your profile:
- Windows 11: Settings > Accounts > Other users > Add account.
- Windows 10: Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add someone else to this PC.
Enter that person’s Microsoft account email, or choose the on-screen option to create an account. Windows also offers a local-account route in some flows. Options can differ on managed devices. For details, see Microsoft’s user account instructions.
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A child may need a parent or guardian to complete account setup. You can connect a child account to Microsoft Family Safety for parental controls and activity management; features and rules vary by age and region. Parental controls do not replace supervision.
Microsoft account or local account?
| Microsoft account | Local account |
|---|---|
| Uses an online identity associated with an email address and Microsoft services. | Exists primarily on that PC and can be used without an online Microsoft identity. |
| Can connect to OneDrive, Microsoft Store, Xbox, and supported synchronization features. | Does not automatically connect Windows sign-in to those cloud services. |
| Account recovery uses Microsoft’s recovery process; cloud features depend on the services and options you use. | Recovery depends more on local recovery methods and the options configured on the device. |
| Useful if you want one sign-in across Microsoft services or supported settings to carry between devices. | Useful for a device-specific sign-in, limited connectivity, or less cloud integration. |
A Microsoft account does not mean that every file is uploaded or every setting is copied to every PC. Cloud backup and synchronization depend on the features you enable, such as OneDrive or Windows backup. You can also keep a local account where the edition and setup path allow it; availability is not universal during new-PC setup.
Account identity and device permissions are separate: either a Microsoft or local account can be a standard user or an administrator. Microsoft recommends limiting administrator accounts and using a standard account for ordinary daily use. A work or school account is a separate organizational identity and may be subject to employer or school policies.
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Secure the account and set up Windows Hello
Use a strong, unique password and add recovery information you can access. Turn on multifactor authentication where available. Keep recovery details current; a recovery email or phone can help with account access, but it does not bypass Microsoft’s identity checks.
After signing in, open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options to review available methods. Windows Hello may offer a device PIN, fingerprint, or face recognition, depending on the PC’s hardware and configuration. A PIN is a sign-in method for that device, not the same thing as your Microsoft account password. Fingerprint sign-in requires a compatible reader; face sign-in generally requires a compatible camera. See Microsoft’s Windows sign-in options.
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Troubleshooting account setup
“Create account” is missing
You may already be signed in, the device may be offline, or the PC may be configured by a business or school. Try creating the account in a browser first, then use Settings > Accounts > Your info to connect it. To add another person, use Other users in Windows 11 or Family & other users in Windows 10. Contact the organization’s administrator if the device is managed.
Microsoft rejects the email address
Check for a typo. The address may already belong to a Microsoft account or may have been used previously and cannot be reused. Try signing in or recovering the existing account instead of repeatedly registering the address. If the address belongs to a company or school, use the organizational sign-in flow rather than assuming it is a personal Microsoft account.
You cannot receive a verification code
Check the address or phone number you entered and try an alternative method offered on screen, such as email instead of phone, or another device. Microsoft recommends trying an alternative sign-up method if account creation fails. Do not use disposable numbers or unofficial verification services; they can make future recovery difficult.
You forgot the password
Use Microsoft’s official sign-in and recovery guidance. Microsoft cannot simply bypass identity verification. A local Windows account is separate from a Microsoft account, so changing account types does not guarantee recovery of a forgotten local password or lost files.
The PC belongs to work or school
Do not substitute a personal Microsoft account for organizational credentials unless the organization tells you to. A work or school account may require organization-provided credentials, multifactor authentication, or device enrollment. Follow your administrator’s instructions or Microsoft’s guide to adding a work or school account.
Windows 10 support status
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. PCs continue to work, but normal free security updates, feature updates, and technical support ended. Microsoft has an Extended Security Updates program for eligible devices, with conditions that should be checked on its current end-of-support page. If your hardware qualifies, consider upgrading to Windows 11; not every Windows 10 PC meets its requirements.
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