Change your email address directly in Outlook settings
You can change the email address associated with your Outlook account without losing your messages, contacts, or calendar. The process depends on whether you want to change the address Outlook displays when you send mail, or switch to a completely different email account.
If you're changing the sending address — the one people see in the "From" line — you can do this in a few clicks from Outlook's settings. If you're switching to a different email account entirely, you'll need to add that account to Outlook first, then set it as your default.
Key Takeaways
- You can change the display name and sending address in Outlook settings without affecting your existing emails or contacts.
- Adding a second email account to Outlook lets you send from multiple addresses without switching accounts.
- If you want to use a completely different email provider, you'll need to export your Outlook data before removing the old account.
- Changing your password in Outlook is separate from changing your email address and requires your Microsoft account credentials.
Change the email address shown when you send messages
This is the quickest change if you just want people to see a different address in the "From" field. Open Outlook and go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings again (you'll see it listed twice in the menu).
Find your email account in the list and click it once to select it. Then click Change. You'll see a window with your current email address. Edit the address field to show what you want, then click Next and Finish. Outlook will verify the change with your email provider, which usually takes a few seconds.
Your sent messages will now show the new address, but all your existing emails, folders, and contacts stay exactly where they are. People replying to your messages will send to the new address you've set.
Add a second email account and switch between them
If you have multiple email addresses and want to send from different ones without logging out, add each account to Outlook. Go to File > Add Account. Enter the email address you want to add and your password, then let Outlook configure it automatically.
Once both accounts are added, you'll see them listed in the left sidebar. Click the account you want to use, and when you compose a new message, the "From" field will default to that account's address. You can also click the dropdown in the "From" field while composing to switch between accounts mid-message.
This approach keeps your accounts separate — each one has its own inbox, sent folder, and contacts. You can read mail from both without switching back and forth.
Change your account password (not your email address)
If you need to update your password instead of your email address, the process is different. You cannot change your Outlook password from within Outlook itself. Instead, go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with your current credentials.
Click Security on the left side, then find Password and click Change password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. After you save the change, Outlook may ask you to re-enter your password the next time you open it — this is normal and confirms the update worked.
Switch to a completely different email account
If you're moving to a new email provider entirely and want to keep your Outlook data, export your messages first. Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export. Choose Export to a file, select Outlook Data File (.pst), and pick the folders you want to save. Choose a location on your computer and finish the export.
Once you've saved your data, you can remove the old account from Outlook. Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings, select the account, and click Remove. Then add your new email account using the Add Account process described above.
After your new account is set up and working, you can import the .pst file you saved. Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export, choose Import from another program or file, select Outlook Data File (.pst), and follow the prompts to restore your messages and contacts into the new account.
Troubleshoot when Outlook won't accept the new address
If you see an error message when trying to change your address, the most common cause is that your email provider hasn't finished updating their system yet. Wait 15 to 30 minutes and try again. Some providers, like Gmail, require you to confirm the change in a verification email sent to your account.
If you're adding a second account and Outlook keeps rejecting the password, make sure you're using the correct password for that specific account. If you've forgotten it, reset it through your email provider's website first, then add the account to Outlook again. For Microsoft accounts (Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live), you may need to use an app password instead of your regular password if you have two-factor authentication turned on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my email address delete my old messages?
No. Changing your sending address or switching accounts in Outlook does not affect your existing emails, folders, contacts, or calendar. Everything stays in place. Only the address shown in the "From" field changes.
Can I send from multiple email addresses in one Outlook account?
Yes. Add each email account to Outlook separately, and you'll see them all in your sidebar. When you compose a message, click the dropdown in the "From" field to choose which address to send from. Each account keeps its own inbox and sent folder.
What's the difference between changing my address and changing my password?
Changing your address updates what people see when you send them mail. Changing your password updates your account security and must be done through your email provider's website, not in Outlook. Both can be done without affecting your stored messages.
Do I need to tell my contacts about my new email address?
If you're just changing the display address in Outlook, your contacts don't need to know — replies will still reach you. If you're switching to a completely different email account, you should notify people you communicate with regularly so they have your new address.
What happens to my calendar and contacts when I change accounts?
If you're changing the sending address within the same account, your calendar and contacts don't move — they stay attached to that account. If you're switching to a different email account entirely, your calendar and contacts stay with the old account unless you manually export and import them.