What Is a Microsoft Account?

A Microsoft account lets you sign in to Microsoft services including Windows, Office, and Skype.

Most people use an outlook.com or outlook.jp address, but you can also register another email (e.g. yahoo.co.jp) as your Microsoft account.

If you log in to Skype with your Microsoft account, you can use the same account to log in to Teams.

Skype Names vs. Microsoft Accounts

A Skype name is for Skype only; a Microsoft account works across all Microsoft products, including Skype.

A Microsoft account works across a wider range of services.

Skype names come in several types, and the relationship to a Microsoft account varies accordingly.

Skype Names and Microsoft Accounts

The relationship between Skype names and Microsoft accounts varies by Skype name type, as shown below.

(1) Skype name starts with "live:"

If your Skype name starts with "live:", a Microsoft account always exists for it.

For example, if your Skype name is "live:xxxxxx1111122222", a Microsoft account always exists.

If your Skype name starts with "live:", you cannot log in to Teams with it.

(2) Skype name does not start with "live:"

If your Skype name does not include "live:", no Microsoft account exists unless you register one yourself.

For example, if your Skype name is "yamada111222333", no Microsoft account exists unless you registered one. You will need to create one.

If your Skype name does not include "live:", you can log in to Teams with it.

* Note: if you log in with a Skype name, tutors cannot find you by searching for it. You will need to create and register a Microsoft account after logging in.