Solved Switching account

This Dell desktop, I installed from Dell "Intel Rapid Storage" driver. After reboot, my Microsoft account had changed to a previously used Microsoft account.

The old account, used email no longer existing, etc

I can log into BOTH accounts at the Microsofts web page.

Is this the solution?

r-click windows "Start" > sign out of current windows > sign in (same place) using preferred user account

Hi, and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry but I'm really not fully understanding your question. Choose which of the following scenarios applies to you. If neither of these scenarios apply to you. please report back.

Procedure 1 - On the log on screen you have two user accounts with 2 different user names & you want to remove one of them

1. Log in using the old account and password. If you have personal files you want to save within this account, copy (not move) them and then paste the files to a flash drive.

2. Go to settings-accounts-family & other users. Under 'other users' you should see your second (new) user account.
Verify that the account is an administrator account. If it IS an administrator account, skip to step 4. If it is NOT an administrator account,
do step 3 first.

3. Click on the account name and select 'change account type'. Change it to administrator.

4. Log out of the old account and log in to the new account.

5. If you saved files to a flash drive, copy and paste them into you new account.

6. Go to settings-accounts-family and other users. There, you should see your old acct, Select it then click remove.

Restart. Now on your login screen you should have only the new account.


Procedure 2 - On the login screen you have 2 user accounts with same name

1. In search box type netplwiz. In the search result select "netplwiz run command"

2. Uncheck the User must enter a user name and password to use this computer, select your user name in the list
and click Apply

3. Type your password (twice) and click OK twice to close all windows.

4. Restart. It will automatically log in to windows. Log out and verify that the duplicate user name is gone from the signin screen. If it is still there
go to settings- user accounts-signin options-turn off the Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device and reopen my apps after update or restart. Restart computer.

5. If everything is in order at this point, and you want to be automatically be logged into windows every time you can stop.
If you want to have to enter a password, do steps 1-2-3-4 again, except check the box
User must enter a user name and password to use this computer, select your user name in the list
and click Apply

3. Type your password (twice) and click OK twice to close all windows. You will now be asked for a password at login.

Thank You for the quick reply, Glasskutter!

Log in screen I do not have two, only the old one

netplwiz lists only the old account, NOT 2

Note: I have two accounts Microsoft online, & can access either online. The computer lists/sees only the old

old acct = ricorocks
new acct = ricorocks41

On line - tried to add email 'alias' to old acct. Enter new email

That email used by another person. message.

I will say I have never heard of your particular situation. If you can log in to your old account on the computer you might can straighten it out.

1. setting-accounts-family and other users-add other user-click add account. Select 'I don't have this person's signin information".
Click "add a user without a Microsoft account". Name it your name (not email address) and leave password blank if it will let you. Otherwise, use your email password. This makes a local account.

2. Once the account is established, Under 'other users' you should see your second (new) user account.
Click on the account name and select 'change account type'. Change it to administrator.
Now, under 'other users' you should see your second (new) user account. Verify it is an administrator.

3. While logged into old account backup any files as described above.

4. Restart. Now on the signin screen you should have 2 accounts. Login to the new one. You should have a clean desktop.

5. Copy and paste any saved files back into new account.

Once you get new account sorted, go to settings-accounts-family and other users-under 'other users', select the old account, and remove.

You can then change your new local account to the correct Microsoft account by going to settings-accounts-under your account name select 'change to Microsoft account" and follow prompts.

Keep in mind you will have to change any desired settings in the new account as well as adding shortcuts you may have had on your old desktop.

Switching gears just a little! The above switch of accounts used by Windows, caused windows to use an old deleted email address, to reply.

Click here to send this to a friend. Brings up Hotmail old non-exsistent account. Can't send
tried to add gmail, but hotmail would not accept.


since the account changed (install of driver). Now clicking add account to hotmail blank page, cannot add gmail