Introduction

Before you can utilize Microsoft’s online tools and services, you’ll need to have a free Microsoft account.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of creating your own Microsoft account and how to navigate the various online services offered by Microsoft. Additionally, we will explore how to customize your profile page.

Creating a Microsoft Account

If you already have a Hotmail account or any other account that allows you to access Microsoft services like OneDrive or Xbox Live, you already have a Microsoft account. Simply sign in using your existing account information.

To create a Microsoft account, follow these steps:

1. Go to login.live.com. Look for the “Sign up now” option and select it.
2. You will be presented with the sign-up form. Follow the instructions and provide the necessary information such as your name, birth date, and gender.
3. Review the Microsoft Services Agreement and privacy statement, then click “Create account.”
4. Your Microsoft account is now successfully created, and you will be directed to the account settings page.

Remember, just like with any online service, it is crucial to choose a strong and secure password. For tips on creating a strong password, check out our Password Tips lesson.

Getting Started

After creating your Microsoft account, you will be directed to the account settings page. To access the features and services associated with your Microsoft account, such as OneDrive or Messenger, you need to access your profile page.

To access the profile page, follow these steps:

1. Locate and select the profile icon located in the top-right corner of the screen. From the drop-down menu, choose “Edit profile.”
2. The profile page will appear. From here, you can access the toolbar, which will assist you in navigating Microsoft’s online services.

To utilize the toolbar effectively, follow these steps:

• Click the drop-down arrow in the top-left corner to open a menu of Microsoft services, including Mail (Outlook or Hotmail), People (contacts), Calendar, and OneDrive (previously called SkyDrive). Simply click on the service you wish to use to get started.
• Click the icons in the top-right corner to access Messenger, your profile settings, and the Gear icon, which provides individual settings for each Microsoft service.

Setting up Your Profile

Once you have set up your Microsoft account and familiarized yourself with the toolbar, you might want to personalize and add information to your profile.

Your profile is a personal information page linked to your Microsoft account. It can contain the following:

• Basic information such as your birth date and gender
• Additional contact information
• Personal information about your work, social life, and education
• Connections to social networking sites like Facebook

Filling in your profile is entirely optional, and it is advisable not to provide too much detailed personal information. However, sharing some information can be useful in certain situations. The key is to decide how much you feel comfortable sharing.

To access and edit your profile, follow these steps:

• Click the profile icon in the upper-right corner, then select “Edit profile” from the drop-down menu.

To add a profile picture, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to your profile page and locate the “Change picture” option.
2. The profile picture page will open. Click the “Choose File” button.
3. A dialog box will appear. Select your desired picture, then click “Open.”
4. Your chosen picture will be displayed. If desired, you can drag and resize the box to crop your image. A preview of the cropped image will appear to the left.
5. Once you are satisfied with the cropped picture, click “Save.” Your profile picture will be successfully saved.

By following these instructions, you can quickly create a Microsoft account, explore its features, and customize your profile. Enjoy utilizing the various services Microsoft has to offer!