How do I get Outlook.com to show my new name?
Q I registered my email address with Hotmail many years ago. Since then, as I’m sure you know, Hotmail has become Outlook. com. What I’m sure you don’t know, and what Outlook.com apparently refuses to let me tell it, is that I’ve become a married woman. As one of those old-fashioned types that was happy to adopt my husband’s surname, I’d like my emails to reflect this.
However, it seems that whenever I send a message it arrives as though from my old (née) name, not my married name. I’d like to get Outlook. com to respect my new status but, even though I’ve explored the settings, I can’t find how. Could you help? Ellen Barnes
A Yes, we can. This is one of those details that can be important but hard to find. It doesn’t help that the option you need isn’t really in Outlook.com at all, but actually changed via your Microsoft profile – at https:// account.microsoft.com/profile. However, it’s possible to reach this page via Outlook.com. First, instead of clicking the Settings cog, click your avatar or account icon at the top right, and then click ‘Edit profile’ (see screenshot left). Next, under your name, click ‘Edit name’ (see screenshot above). Then, type your new second name in the Surname box. Finally, confirm you’re not a robot by deciphering the mix of letters in the Captcha box and typing them into the box below, and then click Save.
Note that you might have to wait up to 24 hours before the changes take effect, but from then on your emails should appear to come from the new you, rather than old you.