Having a profile photo associated with your Outlook email account can make your emails more recognizable and personal. This photo isn’t just for Outlook; it’s linked to your broader Microsoft account and appears across various Microsoft services and devices. This guide will show you exactly How Do I Add A Photo To Outlook Email by updating your Microsoft account profile picture.
This process applies whether you’re using a personal Microsoft account or one provided by your work or school. Let’s walk through the steps for each account type to ensure your photo shows up correctly in Outlook and everywhere else your Microsoft account is used.
Adding a Profile Photo for Personal Microsoft Accounts
If you’re using a personal Outlook.com account, or a Microsoft account for home use, here’s how to add or change your profile picture:
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Navigate to your Microsoft account dashboard. You can do this by going to
account.microsoft.comand logging in. Once logged in, find and click on the Your info tab at the top of the page. Alternatively, you can use the direct link provided by Microsoft: -
On the “Your info” page, you will see your current profile picture (if you have one) or a generic icon. Look for the option to Add a photo or Change photo. Click on this option to proceed.
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A window will pop up allowing you to browse your device for an image file. Select the photo you want to use as your profile picture and click Open or Choose.
Important Notes Regarding Photos:
- You can upload most common static image file types such as JPG, PNG, and GIF. However, HEIC files and animated GIFs are not supported.
- For optimal display, especially for portrait or landscape photos, it’s recommended to use a square image. If your photo isn’t square, you might consider using a photo editing app to add borders to make it square and ensure your whole picture is visible.
- It’s important to note that it might take up to 24 hours for your new profile picture to be updated and visible everywhere across Microsoft services and devices. This is due to the time it takes for the changes to propagate across the systems.
- If you need to adjust the zoom or rotation of your photo after uploading, simply select Change photo again and reload the same image. You will usually be given options to adjust these aspects during the upload process.
For further assistance with managing your Windows user account picture, you can refer to this Microsoft support article: Change your user account picture in Windows.
Updating Your Profile Photo for Work or School Outlook Accounts
If you are using Outlook with a work or school Microsoft 365 account, the process is slightly different:
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Open any Microsoft Office application on your computer, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
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Once the application is open, click on File in the top left corner. Then, in the menu that appears, select Account.
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On the Account page, you should see an option labeled Change photo. Click this button.
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Clicking Change photo will redirect you to your organization’s personal profile page. The exact appearance and options on this page might vary depending on your organization’s settings. Follow the on-screen instructions to upload or change your profile photo.
Note: Similar to personal accounts, work or school accounts also support most static image files but do not support HEIC or animated GIFs.
In some cases, your organization’s administrator may restrict your ability to change your profile picture. If you encounter any issues or don’t see the option to change your photo, you may need to contact your IT department or administrator for assistance.
For additional information regarding changing your information in Microsoft 365 within an organizational context, refer to this article: Who should I contact if I need to change my information in Microsoft 365?.
By following these steps, you can easily add or update your profile photo for your Outlook email, enhancing your professional presence and making your communication more personal.
