Tenant Migration

How to Change the Primary Domain for Microsoft 365 Users

Nimra Malik Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to change the organization's primary domain in Microsoft 365 and wants to understand how to update user sign-in addresses while managing the impact on SharePoint, OneDrive, and service URLs.

How to Change the Primary Domain for Microsoft 365 Users

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Migrating a Microsoft 365 tenant to a new primary domain and ensuring all user accounts and connected cloud services are updated correctly.
Observed behavior: Changing the default domain requires a structured process to update user identities without breaking SharePoint site URLs, OneDrive syncing, and application dependencies.

Before you start

Ensure you have Global Administrator privileges in Microsoft 365 and notify all users in advance, as this change will require them to sign in again with their new credentials and reconfigure their OneDrive sync clients.

Solution 1Recommended

Update the Primary Domain via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center

This standard administrative process guides you through adding a new domain, setting it as the default, and updating user sign-in addresses.

Changing the primary domain involves verifying ownership of the new domain, adjusting tenant settings, and manually bulk-updating the User Principal Name (UPN) for your workforce. Plan this migration during off-hours to minimize business disruption.

Add and verify the new domain

Sign in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. Go to 'Settings' and click on 'Domains'. Click 'Add domain', type your new domain name, and follow the prompts to add the required TXT or MX records to your DNS hosting provider to verify ownership.

Set the new domain as default

Once the domain status shows as 'Healthy', select the new domain from the Domains list. Click 'Set as default' in the command bar and confirm the action.

Update user sign-in addresses

Navigate to 'Users' > 'Active users'. Select the users you want to update, click 'Manage username and email' from the flyout pane, and change their primary email address to use the newly added default domain.

Manage SharePoint and OneDrive impact

Wait for the UPN changes to sync. Instruct users to sign out and sign back into their Microsoft 365 apps. For SharePoint, refer to the Microsoft Learn documentation on how to schedule a SharePoint tenant rename using the SharePoint Online Management Shell, as this requires a separate procedure.

Update the Primary Domain via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Alias Retention: When you change a user's primary email address, their previous address is automatically kept as an alias, ensuring they continue to receive emails sent to the old domain.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing the primary domain automatically update my SharePoint URLs?

No. Changing the primary domain in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center updates user sign-in addresses and email routing. Changing the base SharePoint URL (e.g., olddomain.sharepoint.com to newdomain.sharepoint.com) requires a separate advanced process using the SharePoint Online Management Shell.

What happens to users' emails when their primary domain is changed?

Their old email address is automatically converted into an alias (proxy address). This means users will still receive all emails sent to their old address, but they will sign in and send new emails using the new primary domain.

Will users need to reconfigure their OneDrive desktop sync clients?

Yes. Because changing the domain alters the User Principal Name (UPN), the user's OneDrive URL changes. Users will typically need to sign out of the OneDrive desktop client and sign back in to establish a new sync connection.

How long does a primary domain change take to fully propagate?

While DNS changes can propagate within a few hours, the backend synchronization across all Microsoft 365 services (including Teams, OneDrive, and Outlook) can take up to 24 hours to fully update for all users.

Migration & Recovery