Which e-mail address do you use as the Microsoft account?

If you are using multiple e-mail addresses to log on to different services at Microsoft, you will need to select an e-mail address as your "master" Microsoft account.

Why choose only one?

A single Microsoft account (e-mail address and password) is simple and easy to remember and makes it easy for you to log on to all Microsoft related devices and services. These devices and services include computers and tablets running Windows 8 or Windows RT, Windows Phones, the Xbox 360 console, and services such as XboxLive, SkyDrive, Outlook.com, and Bing. Win8 Home win8e.com reminds you that you can use the same Microsoft account to check subscriptions for services such as Xbox LIVE, buy Windows App Store and Windows Phone Mall apps, and manage your billing information.

How to choose?

It depends on the e-mail program and other services you are currently using, and what information is associated with the account you want to keep or change. Some accounts are harder to change than other accounts, and once you log in, you are likely to lose information or buy content if you change your mind.

For example, if you use a Microsoft account to log on to Outlook.com and SkyDrive, but you log on to Xbox LIVE with another Microsoft account, it is best to use email and password for outlook.com and SkyDrive For your master Microsoft account. After that, change the email address, game score, and user ID associated with your Xbox LIVE player code so that you can access all of your honors and other information on all devices that you log on with the primary Microsoft account. To learn how to update your e-mail address for Xbox LIVE, visit the Xbox Support Online.