Neowin.net - Microsoft simplifies switching between Windows Live IDs

Microsoft simplifies switching between Windows Live IDs

Posted by Emil Protalinski on 21 October 2007 - 17:09 · 24 comments & 14357 views

To simplify switching between multiple Windows Live IDs you can now link them together, with the Linked Windows Live ID service. Instead of logging out and logging back in, once the accounts are linked, a simple click from the menu on the top right of most Windows Live pages will now do the trick. To link your accounts up, head over to the Linked Windows Live IDs section of the Windows Live Account page. Once they’re all added, you must sign out and then sign back in.

However, there are two problems, one a potential security issue and the other more of an annoyance. The former is that it now only takes one password to break into multiple linked accounts. The latter is if one of your accounts is set to have you change your password regularly, or if one of the sites you visit requires a strong password, it will require that you change your password on each linked account.

Screenshot: Manage Link IDs | Switching Between IDs

Link: Live Account

News source: The Space Craft Blog

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#1 Posted by WindowsNT on 21 Oct 2007 - 17:24: This sounds cool for users with several Windows Live ID's for what ever reason they have.
I'm happy with using just one but good idea in principle.

(2 replies) #2 Posted by blackice912 on 21 Oct 2007 - 17:38: This would have been nice earlier this year before I had them merge all my Live IDs into one single ID.

(1 reply) #3 Posted by seamer on 21 Oct 2007 - 17:42: Being a longtime Hotmail user, my ID has worked just fine over the 11 years I've had it. Why would I need so many that theyd need to be linked?

#4 Posted by stifler6478 on 21 Oct 2007 - 18:44: Thank god. I have two Live accounts. My old hotmail one, which still has to be active because my XBL account is linked to it, and my new live.com one which I actually use for everything else.

-Spenser

#5 Posted by simon360 on 21 Oct 2007 - 19:01: Wait, this means I can use MSN from Xbox Live now!

Finally, Microsoft did something!

#6 Posted by hotdog963al on 21 Oct 2007 - 19:22: Woot, handy!

#7 Posted by xpclient on 21 Oct 2007 - 20:03: Really time saving...now only if they could add this to Live Messenger.

#8 Posted by yodha on 21 Oct 2007 - 21:23: Good feature...Microsoft finally listening to its customers

#9 Posted by duntkno on 21 Oct 2007 - 22:35: very nice feature

#10 Posted by MMaster23 on 21 Oct 2007 - 22:44: this is great! now i don't have to login every 10 secs when switching between Livemail and MSDN

#11 Posted by n_K on 21 Oct 2007 - 23:31: well, sounds like its easy to link accounts for hacked emails... would be useful against scum like media defender

(1 reply) #12 Posted by balupton on 22 Oct 2007 - 00:16: What a great feature Now my gmail and hotmail live ids are linked

(2 replies) #13 Posted by letbugin on 22 Oct 2007 - 08:23: How do i link hotmail and gmail IDs?

Last edited by letbugin on 22 Oct 2007 - 08:34

(1 reply) #14 Posted by letbugin on 22 Oct 2007 - 15:05: I cna link msn ids together. but I was curious because balupton posted a comment above that he linked his gmail and windows live ID....

so I wanna link my gmail ID with WindowsLive ID. I tried doing it the same way but it dont work.

#15 Posted by Rahul on 22 Oct 2007 - 15:07: cool , works for me 10/10

#16 Posted by Rahul on 22 Oct 2007 - 15:08: Now only if you could merge Xbox Live Accounts

#17 Posted by Smashing Pumpkin on 23 Oct 2007 - 15:44: This is so bloody awesome, thank you MS!

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