How to Set Up an Xbox Live Account

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: May 4, 2023 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to create an Xbox LIVE account, which you can use to track your Xbox achievements and play online.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using the Xbox LIVE Website

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Go to the Xbox LIVE website. You can create a brand new Xbox LIVE account from here.
This option is in the top-right corner of the page.

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Click the Create one link. It's below the "Password" field in the center of the page.
- If you have a Microsoft Account but not an Xbox Live account, you can sign in with your Microsoft Account and it will create an Xbox Live profile using your Microsoft Account information and take you directly to the User Agreement page.
It must be an email address that hasn't been taken yet; if your selected email address already exists, you'll be prompted to try again.
It's at the bottom of the page. This will take you to a page with a code entry field.
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Verify your email account. To do so, you'll open the email address you just entered and look for an email from Microsoft. Open the Microsoft email, find the seven-digit code in the email's body, and enter the code in the provided field on the Xbox LIVE website.
- If you're creating a brand new email address for Xbox LIVE, you won't have to verify your email address.
Tip: Check your email's Spam folder if you don't see the email from Microsoft within a few minutes of clicking Next.
Doing so will submit your code, which will verify your email address.
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Enter your personal information. This will include the following information:
- Your first and last name
- Your date of birth
- Your current region
It's below the "Region" field on this page.
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Click I Accept. This button is at the bottom of the page; clicking it will create your Xbox LIVE account. You'll be able to use this profile to sign into Xbox LIVE on any Xbox 360 or Xbox One console.
- If you'd like to change anything about your profile (e.g., your profile picture or your username), click Customize profile below your Microsoft-assigned username.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using an Xbox One

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To do so, press the Xbox button on the right side of the console.

Tip: You can also hold down the Xbox button in the middle of a connected controller to turn on the Xbox One.
To do so, simply flick the left analog stick left while on the Home screen.
The "Sign in" option is in the top-left corner of the screen. Doing this will open the user menu.
If the Xbox One you're using has another user registered, you'll scroll left to select Add new.
This will allow you to select an option other than the text field on this page.
It's on the bottom of the screen.
This email address must not have been taken already.
Doing so will save your Xbox LIVE email address.
This button is near the middle of your controller.
Doing so will save your first name.
This will apply your last name to your Xbox LIVE account.
You'll have to press ☰ after entering your password both times.
This option is in the top-right corner of the screen.
Your phone number is necessary to secure your account if you ever lose your password.
Doing so will finalize your account creation. You can now use your Xbox LIVE account on your Xbox One.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using an Xbox 360

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Do so by pressing the "On" button on the right side of the console, or by pressing and holding the "X" button in the middle of a connected controller until the console turns on.
You'll press RB to do so.
This option is at the bottom of the screen.
It's on the far-right side of this menu.
If you have external storage added to your Xbox 360, it will be listed here in addition to your console's internal storage.
This button is near the middle of your Xbox 360 controller.
This option is on the far-right side of the screen.

Note: You can also customize your avatar here if you wish to do so.
It's the "X" in the middle of your controller.
You'll see this option near the bottom of the list of options in the menu here.
Doing so will take you to the "Welcome to Xbox Live" page.
This is where you'll begin setting up your Xbox LIVE account.
This will save your name to your Xbox LIVE account.
Your email address must end in @outlook.com to qualify as an Xbox LIVE ID.
You'll have to press ► after entering your password both times.
You'll be able to enter the answer to your secret question to verify your identity if you're ever locked out of your account.
When you're done, you'll press the ► button on your controller.
Doing so will save all of the information you've entered so far. You'll be prompted to review your account details before finalizing your account creation.
Your Xbox LIVE account has now been set up. If you ever migrate to an Xbox One, you'll be able to use your Xbox LIVE ID that you created here to sign in.

Community Q&A

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Question

Do I need an Xbox to get an account?

Community Answer

No, you can set up an Xbox Live account through Microsoft's site via computer.

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Question

When I try to set up my account, I get a message saying that I have another profile. What does this mean?

Community Answer

It probably means that your email address is registered with another account.

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Question

Do I need a Microsoft account to set up an Xbox Live account?

Community Answer

Yes.

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Thank you for your feedback.
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Tips

If you choose to play online, you'll need to pay for an Xbox LIVE Gold membership.

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Make sure you do the updates before creating an account.

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