Fix Microsoft Account Name and Picture Not Updating in Office and Edge
Question details
The user needs their newly changed Microsoft account name and profile picture to display correctly across Microsoft Edge and Office apps.
- Product
- Microsoft Office, Microsoft Edge
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user has updated their Microsoft account display name or profile picture online, but the changes are not reflecting in their local desktop applications.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Edge and Office applications continue displaying the older account information and profile picture because the local cached data has not been refreshed.
Ensure that you are connected to a stable internet network so your applications can properly communicate with Microsoft's servers to fetch the latest profile data.
Re-authenticate Your Microsoft Office Account
Signing out and signing back into your Office applications forces the software to clear its local cache and fetch the most recent account data directly from Microsoft.
Microsoft Office applications often maintain a long-term login session to keep you productive. However, this means they do not frequently check for minor profile changes like a new picture or display name.
Launch any Microsoft 365 application on your computer, such as Microsoft Word or Excel.
Click on the 'File' menu in the top left corner, then select 'Account' from the left-hand sidebar menu.
Under your user information profile on the left side of the screen, click the 'Sign out' button.
Click 'Sign in', enter your Microsoft account credentials, and wait for the application to load your newly updated account name and picture.
Clear Cached Data in Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge caches website data, including your Microsoft profile images, to load pages faster. Clearing this cache forces the browser to download the updated account details.
Restart Your Computer and Allow Time for Synchronization
System-wide account changes sometimes require a device restart to restart background syncing services. Additionally, Microsoft servers may take time to propagate the changes globally.
Avoid Account Sync Issues with WPS Office
If you are tired of dealing with account synchronization glitches, cached profile errors, and heavy background services in Microsoft Office, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, hassle-free environment to handle all your documents without strict online account dependencies.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the setup file and follow the on-screen prompts to install WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Start Editing Instantly: Open any existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document directly in WPS Office and begin working without needing to configure complex account sync settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it normally take for a Microsoft profile picture to update everywhere?
While changes often appear immediately on the Microsoft account web portal, it can take anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours for the new profile picture to synchronize across all connected apps, devices, and services like Teams, Outlook, and Office.
Why is my old profile picture still appearing on my Windows login screen?
Windows stores a local cache of your account pictures. To fix this, you may need to navigate to 'C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures' and manually delete the old cached images.
Will changing my Microsoft account display name change my email address?
No, updating your Microsoft account display name or profile picture only changes how you appear to others and in applications. It does not alter your underlying email address or your login credentials.
Does reinstalling Office fix profile picture sync issues?
While reinstalling Office will clear the local cache and force a new sync, it is usually unnecessary. Simply signing out of your account via 'File > Account' and signing back in accomplishes the same cache refresh much faster.
