Merging Two Microsoft Accounts: Complete Instructions – 2025

Merging Two Microsoft Accounts: Complete Instructions

Many users manage multiple Microsoft accounts without realizing how inconvenient this can become. You may have one account for personal services like Outlook and OneDrive, another for Xbox or Skype, and maybe a third created long ago for a specific purpose. When you need to access files, subscriptions, or purchased content, switching between multiple accounts can be confusing and time-consuming.

While Microsoft does not offer a direct “merge accounts” option, there are several effective ways to consolidate data, move services, and organize your digital identity so that using Microsoft products becomes simpler.

This comprehensive guide explains what you can and cannot merge, how to move data between Microsoft accounts, and how to use account aliasing to manage all emails under one primary login.

Can You Actually Merge Microsoft Accounts?

Microsoft does not support merging two separate Microsoft accounts into one. This limitation exists so that your personal information, purchases, and licenses remain secure and tied to their original account.

However, you can achieve a merged experience by:

• Transferring important data from one account to another

• Sharing subscriptions between accounts

• Setting up email forwarding

• Using aliases to manage multiple email addresses from one inbox

• Moving Xbox gamer data

• Syncing OneDrive files across accounts

Although it’s not a true merge, these methods allow you to centralize your digital activities under one primary account.

Step 1: Choose Your Primary Microsoft Account

Before you begin moving data, decide which account you want to keep as your main account.

Factors to Consider

• Which account has your Microsoft 365 subscription?

• Which is used for OneDrive storage?

• Which account stores your Xbox purchases and game progress?

• Which email address you want to use long-term?

Selecting your main account first helps avoid confusion and ensures you migrate data efficiently.

Step 2: Move Your Emails and Contacts

You can transfer your emails and contacts from one Microsoft account to another using Outlook features.

Option 1: Enable Email Forwarding

1. Open Outlook.com with your old account.

2. Go to Settings > View all Outlook settings.

3. Select Mail > Forwarding.

4. Enable forwarding and enter your primary account’s email address.

This ensures you never miss new messages sent to your old account.

Option 2: Import Emails Manually

1. Sign in to your new account at Outlook.com.

2. Go to Settings > Sync email.

3. Add your old account.

4. Outlook will sync the emails into your new inbox.

Move Contacts

1. Export contacts in the old account:

   • Go to People > Manage > Export Contacts.

2. Import contacts into your new account:

   • In your new account, choose Manage > Import Contacts.

This consolidates your communication data into one place.

Step 3: Transfer OneDrive Files

OneDrive does not have a merge option, but you can easily transfer your files.

Method 1: Download and Upload

1. Sign in to your old account at OneDrive.com.

2. Select the files you want to move.

3. Click Download.

4. Sign in to your new OneDrive account.

5. Upload the downloaded files.

Method 2: Share and Sync

1. In your old OneDrive, select the folders you want to move.

2. Click Share and send the link to your new account.

3. In your new account, open the link and click Add to my OneDrive.

This method avoids downloading and preserves folder structure.

Step 4: Manage Microsoft 365 Subscription Sharing

If you have a Microsoft 365 Family subscription, you can share it with your other accounts.

How to Share

1. Sign in to your primary Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com.

2. Go to Services & Subscriptions.

3. Select Sharing.

4. Invite your secondary account.

Sharing the subscription allows the secondary account to use Office apps but does not merge the account itself.

Note

Business (Microsoft 365 Business) and student subscriptions cannot be transferred between accounts.

Step 5: Move Xbox Data, Gamertags, and Purchases

Xbox data is one of the more complicated parts of a Microsoft account because purchases and achievements are permanently tied to your account.

What You Can Move

• Your gamer profile to a different console

• Family sharing options

• Xbox Game Pass sharing

What Cannot Be Moved

• Purchased games

• Achievements

• Gamertags between accounts (unless renaming)

Best Solution: Use Xbox Family Sharing

If you want both accounts to share games:

1. Sign in to your Xbox console using the account that owns the games.

2. Go to Profile & System > Settings.

3. Select General > Personalization.

4. Choose My home Xbox and enable it.

Now your secondary account can play games owned by the primary account.

Step 6: Sync Windows Settings Between Accounts

You may also want to sync apps, themes, and settings.

Steps

1. Sign in to Windows using your new primary Microsoft account.

2. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings.

3. Turn on syncing.

Your new account will now store themes, passwords, and preferences.

Step 7: Use Account Aliases to Combine Email Addresses

Microsoft allows you to add aliases to your account, which acts like a merge for email addresses.

Steps to Add an Alias

1. Visit account.microsoft.com and log in.

2. Go to Your Info.

3. Select Manage how you sign in to Microsoft.

4. Click Add email.

You can add:

• Another Outlook.com address

• A non-Microsoft email (e.g., Gmail)

Benefits

• All emails arrive in one inbox

• You can sign in using any alias

• You don’t need to juggle multiple accounts

Once your alias is added and set as primary, your account feels more unified.

Step 8: Close Old or Unused Accounts

After you’ve moved your data, you may choose to close your old Microsoft account.

Steps to Close an Account

1. Sign in at account.microsoft.com.

2. Go to Security > More security options.

3. Select Close your account.

4. Follow the instructions.

Microsoft will hold the account for 60 days before permanently deleting it.

Conclusion

While Microsoft does not provide a one-click solution to merge multiple Microsoft accounts, you can still consolidate your data and streamline your digital experience using the methods in this guide. By migrating emails, transferring files, syncing Windows settings, using aliases, and organizing subscription sharing, you can effectively manage everything under a single primary account.