Forum Discussion
problems transferring everything
I’ve been working to migrate all files and settings from an old Win 10 pc to a new Win 11 pc. I wanted to use the built-in windows backup tool with One Drive because that seems to be the easiest and most comprehensive way to move files, settings, and everything else. While getting started, trying to follow Microsoft instructions, I accidentally created a second Microsoft account. I want to use that new account going forward because I need to close down the install4you.com domain (I own it) completely. The two accounts are mailto:email address removed for privacy reasons (older account) and mailto:eddie.dobelstein@gmail.com (new account). For the sake of less typing, I’ll refer to those accounts as i4y and gmail.
When I set up my old Win 10 computer, it was common just to use a local account and NOT combine logging into it with logging into a Microsoft account. I set up a local account on that computer based on the i4y email. Now settings/accounts/your info shows “E____ D_______, i4y, Administrator.” At some point, during an update, without understanding what Microsoft was telling me to do, I connected the existing local account to my Microsoft i4y account. I can’t get back to the local account I used originally. I need to change the i4y address to the gmail address so my data will flow correctly from my Win10 pc, through One Drive, to my new Win11 pc. For the OneDrive process to work, both computers must use the same Microsoft account.
I tried using account.live.com/names/manage and logged in as i4y. I tried to add the gmail address (so I could make it primary) and got the message that it already exists-please use another. I’m afraid I’ll have to delete the gmail Microsoft account (& lose the work I've done setting it up) so I can change the primary email on the old computer. I’m also afraid that if I delete the gmail account, the email address won’t be freed up until the waiting period is over for Microsoft to completely delete the account. Maybe the email address won’t be freed up at all.
I know I messed up in several ways. I used to be really good with computers, but I blinked and got too far behind to catch up. (I kinda got old too.) I just need to get everything on my new laptop so I can use it, Thanks for anyone who has the mercy to help.
Eddie
1 Reply
You originally set up your Windows 10 PC with a local account (not tied to any Microsoft account).
Later, during an update, the local account became linked to your i4y Microsoft account.
You want to switch from i4y to gmail as your primary Microsoft account to synchronize data via OneDrive.
You’re concerned about deleting the gmail account because it might still be in use or could be deleted by Microsoft.
