Windows 8 guide: Convert your user account to a Windows account

Windows 8 works best when if you sign in with a Microsoft account, whether it be a Live, Hotmail or Outlook.com account. It is simple to convert your existing user account if you chose not to use one during installation or want to sign up for the first time.

Read more: Windows 8 video guides

Press the Windows key and C to open the Charms menu and then click on Settings. Click PC Settings at the bottom.

Select Users on the left-hand side and then on 'Switch to a Microsoft Account' on the right-hand side. Enter your current password and click on Next.

Enter your Microsoft account email address, if you don't have one yet, click on the 'Sign up for a new email address' link at the bottom-left. Click on Next and then enter the password for that account. Click on Next.

Windows will ask for some additional information to help recover your password should you ever forget it. Enter a telephone number and alternative email address. Choose a security question and click on Next. Click on Finish.

You will see that your username has changed in the PC Settings window and your email address is displayed beneath it.

You will need to sign out and sign in again to complete the process so press the Windows key to return to the Start Screen. Click on your name at the top right and then click Sign out.

Click on the Lock Screen. Your user name has been updated to your Microsoft account. Enter your password to sign on.

At the end after you have logged in again, note how our email tile has already been set up with out Outlook.com address and there is a one email waiting for us.