Microsoft Account Errors

How to Unlink a Gmail Microsoft Account from an Old Hotmail Account

WPS Editor Oct 9, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to separate or manage an external service login that is tying a newer Gmail-based Microsoft account to an older Hotmail account.

How to Unlink a Gmail Microsoft Account from an Old Hotmail Account

Product: Microsoft Account
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Trying to update external service logins (such as a United Nations portal) to use a new Gmail address instead of an old Hotmail address.
Observed behavior: An external service continues to associate its user profile and login with an old Hotmail address instead of the newer Gmail Microsoft account.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to any secondary recovery emails or phone numbers associated with your old Hotmail account before attempting a password reset.

Solution 1Recommended

Recover the Hotmail Account and Update the External System manually

Since Microsoft accounts cannot be merged, you must log into the old account to update your email address directly within the external service's settings.

Microsoft accounts that use a Gmail address and those using a Hotmail address are fundamentally separate accounts. They are not merged by the system. If an external service is still linking to your old Hotmail account, you need to manually change the email association within that specific external platform.

Sign in to Outlook

Navigate to the Outlook website (https://outlook.live.com/) and attempt to sign in using your old Hotmail account credentials.

Reset Password if Needed

If you cannot remember the password for the old Hotmail account, go to the Microsoft account password reset page (https://account.live.com/password/reset) and follow the prompts to regain access.

Update External Service Settings

Once you have access to the Hotmail account, log into the external service (such as the United Nations system) and navigate to its account or profile settings.

Change Login Email

Locate the primary contact or login email setting and change it from the old Hotmail address to your Gmail address.

Recover the Hotmail Account and Update the External System manually

Contacting External Support: If the external system does not allow you to change the email address yourself, contact their dedicated support team and request that your profile be officially associated with your Gmail address.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I merge two different Microsoft accounts into one?

No, Microsoft does not currently allow users to merge multiple Microsoft accounts. Accounts created with a Gmail address and those with a Hotmail address will remain completely separate, including their associated data and purchases.

Why is a third-party service still logging me in with my old Hotmail account?

The external service likely originally created your profile using the Hotmail account. Even if you use a new Gmail-based Microsoft account elsewhere, the specific service's database still references your old email until it is manually updated.

How do I recover an old Hotmail account if I forgot the password?

You can recover your account by visiting the Microsoft account password reset page at account.live.com/password/reset and following the verification steps provided by Microsoft to confirm your identity.

Can I add my Gmail address as an alias to my Hotmail account?

Yes, you can add a Gmail address as an alias to an existing Microsoft account in the 'Your Info' section of your Microsoft account dashboard. However, this only works if the Gmail address isn't already registered as a separate Microsoft account.

Login & Account Issues