How to make a Microsoft account so you can access Microsoft products, apps, and services

<p><img src="https://static5.businessinsider.com/image/6024034467d1e300113c5413-2400/GettyImages-475967901.jpg" border="0" alt="business professional working at office on desktop computer" data-mce-source="Morsa Images/Getty Images"></p><p></p><bi-shortcode id="summary-shortcode" data-type="summary-shortcode" class="mceNonEditable" contenteditable="false">Summary List Placement</bi-shortcode><p>If you're interested in using <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/outlook" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Outlook</a> as your email client or want to set up your Xbox Series X more quickly, you'll need to create a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/microsoft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Microsoft</a> account.</p><p>Fortunately, the process is fast, free, and easy to do from Microsoft's website.</p><p>Here's how to make a Microsoft account in eight simple steps.</p><h2><strong>How to make a Microsoft account</strong></h2><p><strong>1.</strong> Open a web browser and go to <a href="http://www.microsoft.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.Microsoft.com</a>.</p><p><strong>2.</strong> Click on the "Account" icon, a small circle with a humanoid design inside it, located in the upper right corner of the screen.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://static3.businessinsider.com/image/6023fdc2cca90200129b771b-1733/HowtomakeaMicrosoftaccount-1.png" border="0" alt="How_to_make_a_Microsoft_account_ _1" data-mce-source="Chrissy Montelli/Insider" data-mce-caption="The &amp;quotAccount&amp;quot icon looks like a circle with a person inside it."></p><p><strong>3.</strong> Click "Create one!" to begin creating your Microsoft account.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://static3.businessinsider.com/image/6023fe5267d1e300113c53ea-1661/HowtomakeaMicrosoftaccount-2.png" border="0" alt="How_to_make_a_Microsoft_account_ _2" data-mce-source="Chrissy Montelli/Insider" data-mce-caption="To begin creating your Microsoft account, click &amp;quotCreate one!&amp;quot on the sign-in page."></p><p><strong>4.</strong> Type in a pre-existing email address or click "Get a new email address" for a personal Microsoft email address. Once you've typed in the email address you want to use, click "Next."&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://static3.businessinsider.com/image/6023fee667d1e300113c53ec-1743/HowtomakeaMicrosoftaccount-3.png" border="0" alt="How_to_make_a_Microsoft_account_ _3" data-mce-source="Chrissy Montelli/Insider" data-mce-caption="You can use a pre-existing email address for your Microsoft account or create a new one."></p><p><strong>5.</strong> Type in a secure password to use with your Microsoft account. Click "Next" once you've done so.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://static2.businessinsider.com/image/6023ff83cca90200129b772c-1746/HowtomakeaMicrosoftaccount-5.png" border="0" alt="How_to_make_a_Microsoft_account_ _5" data-mce-source="Chrissy Montelli/Insider" data-mce-caption="If you're using a pre-existing email address for your Microsoft account, the password doesn't necessarily need to match the one you use for your email address."></p><p><strong>6.</strong> Type your first and last name into the corresponding fields and click "Next."&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://static1.businessinsider.com/image/6023fff1cca90200129b7734-1594/HowtomakeaMicrosoftaccount-6.png" border="0" alt="How_to_make_a_Microsoft_account_ _6" data-mce-source="Chrissy Montelli/Insider" data-mce-caption="Microsoft requires you to enter your name in order to create an account."></p><p><strong>7.</strong> Using the dropdown menus, select your location and enter your birth date. Once you've finished, click "Next."&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://static6.businessinsider.com/image/6024004b67d1e300113c53fa-1690/HowtomakeaMicrosoftaccount-7.png" border="0" alt="How_to_make_a_Microsoft_account_ _7" data-mce-source="Chrissy Montelli/Insider" data-mce-caption="You'll need to enter your birth date in order to finish setting up your Microsoft account."></p><p><strong>8.</strong> On the next screen, you will be asked to solve a simple puzzle for security purposes. Click "Next" to proceed to the puzzle and follow the on-screen instructions.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://static1.businessinsider.com/image/602400becca90200129b7740-1715/HowtomakeaMicrosoftaccount-8.png" border="0" alt="How_to_make_a_Microsoft_account_ _8" data-mce-source="Chrissy Montelli/Insider" data-mce-caption="Apparently robots aren't very good at puzzles."></p><p>If you successfully complete the security puzzle, you now have a Microsoft account.</p><h2><strong>Related coverage from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tech-reference" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-analytics-post-depth="100">Tech Reference</a>:</strong></h2><ul><li><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-microsoft-authenticator" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-analytics-post-depth="100">What is Microsoft Authenticator' Here's what you need to know about the two-factor authentication app that can secure your online accounts<br></a></h3></li><li><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-microsoft-teams" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-analytics-post-depth="100">What is Microsoft Teams' Here's what you need to know about the workplace communication tool</a></h3></li><li><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-microsoft-edge" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-analytics-post-depth="100">What is Microsoft Edge' Everything you need to know about Microsoft's latest web browser</a></h3></li><li><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-save-articles-with-microsoft-onenote" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to save articles with the Microsoft OneNote Web Clipper extension for quick access to organized research</a></h3></li><li><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-microsoft-exchange">What is Microsoft Exchange' Here's what you need to know about the business-oriented email server</a></h3></li></ul><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-cheap-laptop'tht" >The best budget laptops</a></strong></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-make-a-microsoft-account#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/melissa-maker-clean-your-home-quickly-cleaning-expert-2017-4">A cleaning expert reveals her 3-step method for cleaning your entire home quickly</a></p>
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