How to create a Windows 10 account using any email address

Windows 10 allows to use any email address to create an account, including Gmail, but it's not an obvious option.

When setting up your Windows device for the first time, or when adding a new person, every time you go through the process to create an account, Windows 10 always forces you to use a Microsoft account using an Outlook.com address. However, if you prefer another email provider, it's possible to use an email address from other services, such as Google's Gmail, to create your Windows 10 account.

Using a non-Microsoft address, you still get many of the same benefits people using a Microsoft account get, such as settings sync and access to a number of Microsoft services.

If you must create a new account on your device but you don't want to leave your email service provider, and you want to keep using your familiar email address, the Settings app can help you to create a new account with a non-Microsoft address.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to set up a new account on your PC using a Gmail address instead of a Microsoft account.

How to create a Windows account with a Gmail address

In order to create an account on Windows 10 using your Gmail email address, use the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Accounts.
3. Click on Family & other people.

4. Under "Other people," click the Add someone else to this PC button.

5. Click the I don't have this person's sign-in information link.

6. Type your existing Gmail account.
7. Type a strong password. (You could use the same Google account password, but for security reasons, you always want to have a different password for every account.)
8. Select your region using the drop-down menu.
9. Select your birthday information.

10. Click the Next button.

11. Choose your marketing preferences.

12. Click the Next button.

13. Sign-in to your Gmail account on your web browser.

14. Check for the Microsoft account email and verify your email address.

Once you complete these steps, you can use Windows 10 with your preferred email address instead of a Microsoft account.

It's worth pointing out that through this process you'll actually be creating a Microsoft account using a Google address, but it'll not interrupt any Google services associated with your account.

After creating the account, your Windows 10 settings will transfer to your other devices that use the same account. In addition, you'll have access to other Microsoft services, such as OneDrive and Office Online, but for obvious reasons, Outlook.com won't be configured through this process.

While this guide is focused on using Google's Gmail service, you can also use these steps with other email services, including Yahoo, AOL, and other email providers.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources.

• Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
• Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 forums on Windows Central