What's the difference between Microsoft account and Outlook account in Windows 10 People program?

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Windows Central Question

Hello all,

I am new in windows and I would like to add some contacts in People program in windows 10.

I have my outlook account added and now every time that I want to add a contact I a asked whether I want to save the contact: a) Microsoft account b) Outlook account.

What's the difference?
Thank you
 

N_LaRUE

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Apr 3, 2013
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As is typical of Microsoft the answer is both simple and complex.

If you have an Outlook (or any other MS email) account you have a Microsoft account. Outlook email = MS account.

This means using this email you can sync all your Microsoft services and information on any computer you log into.

However, you don't need a Microsoft email to create a Microsoft account. You can use GMail, Yahoo, etc. On top of that you can also create a Microsoft account in Windows 10.

So unless you have a separate Microsoft account other than Outlook when asked this question it will be the Outlook email address.

Hope that makes sense.
 
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TechFreak1

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May 15, 2013
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@N_LaRUE well said, to add for others who may have similiar questions and what a Microsoft account does in summary:

When you attach an outlook.com account to the entire o/s that becomes your Microsoft account where everything is tied together such as app purchases, the W10 pro license key if you have 10 home and purchased a pro license from the store, passwords if you enable password sync, as well as time line history.

Additionaly the W10 license is also attached if you have upgraded from 7 / 8 / 8.1 to W10 during the period when you could upgrade for free.

To simplify matters, in 1903 it's I believe called an online account and a local account is called an offline account.
 

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