Impacts of Changing Primary alias on MS Account

[dmt_3904]

I’ve been spending A LOT of time lately researching impacts of changing MS account primary alias, but not finding answers.

I use Win10 Pro, Version 2004. MS365 Personal subscription. Outlook on laptop (Dell Latitude E5470). I use native mail app on Iphone & ipad. I am getting lots of junk. I am getting some attempts at MS account logons. I have strong, unique passwords, I use a PW app. I use MS Authenticator and 2FA is turned on.

I created 2 new aliases – one for online accounts & one for email. Have not changed primary alias yet. I was told when you do that, the OST file updates in Outlook to the new primary and then I’ll have a different email id with the OST, so I should add a profile for new email alias to Outlook. I am not ready to abandon my current email id, though I would like to eventually delete it. I know deletion is immediate and permanent. I want to block MS acct login attempts, use new email alias and disposable id’s for online accounts.  My main concern is MS Authenticator. I think Authenticator should update when the primary changes (it allows logon via secondary alias) – but I don’t know for sure and I don’t want to lose access.  I do have alternate contacts listed in my account.

This is my plan:
1. Created a new alias for email to replace current email id
2. Created a new alias for online accounts
3. Create a new alias for MSA logon only – make this the primary? Disable other 3 aliases (2 new + current) from being able to logon.  I am not sure about this since the primary will show up on my accounts.  May just do #1 and #2 and make new email alias the primary.
4. Update Authenticator with new primary alias or does it auto-update?
5. Start using new email alias in Outlook.  I think the primary alias will show up on my MSA and MS365, and email. Do I have to add the new email alias account in outlook?  What if I don’t? What are the impacts to Outlook when changing primary alias?
6. MS365 account on laptop should update to new primary or will I have to logout and back in with new primary? What are impacts to Windows, MS365 when I change primary alias?
7.  IOS mail app – see if it asks me to update or manually logout and back in.
8. Update online accounts with new alias
9. Anything I’ve mistaken or missed????

Does anyone out there have any experience with this? Or can you direct me to a technical expert who might be able to help? I checked MS MVP list – but that didn’t pan out bc most folks support business or don’t have this knowledge. thanks.

 

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[joep517]

Check out Outlook Forums by Slipstick.com. If you can’t find anything post a question there. The site is run by Diane Poremsky a long-time Outlook MVP. She can most like direct you if she does not know the impact on Outlook.

--Joe

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[dmt_3904]

Thank you Joe.  Actually I did get in touch with Diane – she is very knowledgeable & helpful. I am mostly concerned about authenticator bc it’s account access   –  Diane said it should update but she didn’t know for sure.  I think the only way for me to know is to make the change and see what happens.   I’m going to have to bite the bullet, just do it and see what happens.

Once I get past logon with authenticator I can see how it impacts MS 365 and outlook. I know I can get back in touch with Diane if I need help (plus, of course, all the expertise right here!). I will also check slipstick forum.

It’s kinda neat that you mentioned Diane, I had been looking for help on the MVP list and had decided to give her a call, out of all the MVPS listed!  I saw a couple of other familiar names from askwoody on there too, so many talented people! : D

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