How to Change Your Skype Name or Microsoft Account (Live ID) on Skype?

Your Skype Name, which serves as your unique identifier on the platform and often begins with "live:", cannot be changed. This identifier is a permanent part of your account, established before Microsoft acquired Skype. However, you can easily change your display name, which is what others see when they communicate with you, and manage aspects of your linked Microsoft account.

Understanding Skype Names vs. Display Names

It's crucial to distinguish between your Skype Name and your Display Name:

• Skype Name (Skype ID / Username): This is your unique, unchangeable identifier on Skype. It was the primary way people found and connected with others in the past. If your Skype account was created more recently, it often starts with live: followed by a string of characters (e.g., live:yourusername_123). This specific identifier cannot be altered.
• Display Name (Profile Name): This is the name that appears to your contacts in chat lists, during calls, and on your profile. This is what most people think they are asking to change when they refer to their "Skype name." Fortunately, your display name is fully customizable and can be changed as often as you like.

Why Skype Names Are Unchangeable

Skype Names were designed as permanent, unique identifiers. When Microsoft integrated Skype with its own account system, the live: prefix was introduced for accounts linked to Microsoft accounts. Changing this fundamental identifier would disrupt how your account is recognized and connected across the Skype network.

What You Can Change on Skype

While your Skype Name is fixed, you have control over several other aspects of your profile:

1. Changing Your Skype Display Name

This is the most common and easily adjustable aspect of your identity on Skype.

Steps to Change Your Display Name:

1. Open Skype: Launch the Skype application on your desktop or mobile device.

2. Access Your Profile:

   • Desktop: Click on your profile picture at the top left corner of the Skype window.
   • Mobile: Tap your profile picture at the top of the screen.

3. Edit Your Profile: In the profile menu, click or tap on "Skype profile."

4. Modify Your Name: Click or tap on your current display name. An editable text field will appear.

5. Enter New Name: Type your desired new display name.

6. Save Changes: Click the checkmark or simply click outside the editing field to save. Your new display name will instantly be visible to your contacts.

   Example: If your Skype Name is live:john.doe_abc but your display name is "John Doe," you can change "John Doe" to "J.D. Smith" or "John D." without affecting your underlying live: identifier.

2. Managing Your Microsoft Account Aliases (Live ID)

The "Live ID" often refers to the email address or phone number you use to sign in to your Microsoft Account, which is linked to your Skype. While you can't change the core Skype Name, you can add, remove, or change the primary alias associated with your Microsoft account login.

Steps to Manage Microsoft Account Aliases:

1. Go to Microsoft Account: Visit the official Microsoft Account website.

2. Sign In: Log in with your current Microsoft account credentials.

3. Manage Aliases: Navigate to the "Your info" section or directly to "Manage how you sign in to Microsoft."

4. Add/Remove Aliases:

   • You can add new email addresses or phone numbers as aliases.
   • You can set a different alias as your primary login.
   • You can remove aliases, but ensure you always have at least one active alias.

   Note: Changing your primary alias on your Microsoft Account will not change your unchangeable Skype Name (e.g., live:yourusername_123), but it will change the email or phone number you use to sign in to Skype and other Microsoft services.

3. Other Customizable Profile Elements

Beyond your display name, you can personalize other aspects of your Skype profile:

• Profile Picture: Upload or change your avatar.
• Mood Message: Set a status message that appears below your name.
• Location: Add or update your geographic location.
• Phone Numbers: Add or update contact phone numbers.
• Email: Update your contact email address (different from login alias).

Summary of Changeable vs. Unchangeable Identifiers

To clarify what can and cannot be modified:

Feature	Status	Notes
Skype Name (Username)	Unchangeable	Unique identifier, often starts with live:.
Skype Display Name	Changeable	What contacts see in chats/calls.
Microsoft Account Aliases	Changeable	Login email/phone numbers for your linked Microsoft Account.
Profile Picture	Changeable	Your avatar.
Mood Message	Changeable	Your status message.
Location/Contact Info	Changeable	Personal details on your profile.

In conclusion, while the core Skype Name identifier cannot be altered, you have full flexibility over your display name and significant control over your linked Microsoft account, allowing you to present yourself as you wish on the platform.