Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
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One of the drawbacks of a huge email provider such as Hotmail is that by the time you get there, it seems like all the good names are taken. After choosing a name, often a poor substitute for what we'd really like, wouldn't it be nice to be able to just rename the account when we get a better idea?
Sadly, it's not to be...
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I know of no way to rename a Hotmail account. Or a Yahoo account. Or an account with any of the free email services. In fact, it's fairly common that even paid services cannot be renamed.
The only real alternative I know of is to create a new account, with the new name you want (assuming that's available, of course), and begin using that instead of the old.
Update: - I've added a new article that explores this topic in more depth: How do I change my Hotmail name or address?
Article C2346 - May 8, 2005
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
Hi I'm Adni i would like to change my email address from (email address removed) but every time i try to change it.. it says "Your Windows Live ID can't be changed at this time"
Please contact me back
Posted by: Adni at February 21, 2011 7:34 AMAdni
This article clearly explains what to do. You can't change it but you can open a new account and stop
Posted by: Mark J at February 21, 2011 9:28 AMusing the old one.
http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_change_my_hotmail_name_or_address.html
Hi Leo
It is possible to rename a Hotmail address. See the following link. This must be a new feature since the article was written.
http://explore.live.com/windows-live-hotmail-rename-account-using
29-May-2011
Posted by: Christine at May 29, 2011 4:18 AM
Hi
I am trying to sign up an account name {email removed} as I have recently got married.
My current address is (email removed}, I recently tried to add the first one as an alias though realised I will not be able to log on as this and want to seperate them. I then deleted it.
Now it is saying it is being used for a hotmail account (not that it is unavailable) I am thinking that this is because I tried an succeeded to use this as an alias.
When do you think this address will become available again? I have waited over a week.
I hope you can help?
Thanks Monique
20-Feb-2012
Posted by: Monique at February 20, 2012 2:26 AM
@Monique,
Posted by: connie at February 20, 2012 7:55 AMIt will probably be a long time. If Hotmail thinks you created an account, it's not going to relinquish it until it thinks you have deleted it. If you want that address you might do better to try to recover it. Here's a great article from Leo on that:
What are my lost hotmail recovery options