Your profile photo is visible across various Microsoft services and applications, including Outlook. Updating this picture is a simple way to personalize your account and make it easily recognizable to your contacts. Whether you’re using a personal Microsoft account or one provided by your work or school, here’s how to change your profile picture and add a photo to Outlook.
Changing Your Outlook Profile Picture for a Personal Microsoft Account
If you use a personal Microsoft account with Outlook.com or other Microsoft services, here’s how to update your photo:
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Access Your Microsoft Account Dashboard: The quickest way to get started is by clicking the following link, which will take you directly to the “Your info” section of your Microsoft account:
Alternatively, you can navigate to your Microsoft account dashboard and find the “Your info” tab.
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Add or Change Your Photo: On the “Your info” page, look for the option to Add a photo or Change photo. Select this to open a file explorer window on your device.
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Choose Your New Photo: Browse your computer or device to find the image you want to use as your profile picture. Select the image file and click Open or Choose.
Keep in mind the following notes regarding image compatibility:
- Supported File Types: You can use most common static image formats like JPG, PNG, and BMP on PC, macOS, iOS, and Android.
- Unsupported File Types: HEIC files and animated GIFs are not supported for profile pictures.
- Image Shape: For the best display of portrait or landscape photos, consider using a photo editing application to add borders to make your image square. This ensures your entire photo is visible without cropping.
- Update Time: It might take up to 24 hours for your new picture to be updated and visible everywhere across Microsoft services.
- Adjust Zoom or Rotation: If you need to adjust the zoom level or rotation of your photo, select Change photo again and reload the same image. This will usually give you options for basic editing.
Updating Your Profile Picture for a Work or School Account in Outlook
If you are using Outlook with a work or school Microsoft account, the process is slightly different:
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Open an Office Application: Start by opening any Microsoft Office application such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
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Go to the Account Settings: In the Office app, click on File in the top left corner, and then select Account from the menu on the left.
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Change Photo Option: On the Account page, you will find a Change photo button. Click this button.
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Organization’s Profile Page: 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 how your organization has set up their systems. Follow the on-screen instructions on your organization’s profile page to upload or change your photo.
Similar to personal accounts, remember these points for work or school account photos:
- File Type Support: Generally, static image files on PC, macOS, iOS, and Android are supported. HEIC and animated GIFs are typically not supported.
Need Further Assistance?
If you encounter any issues or need more detailed help, Microsoft offers support resources.
- For changing your user account picture in Windows specifically, you can refer to this guide: Change your user account picture in Windows
- For technical support and troubleshooting, visit Contact Microsoft Support. Here, you can describe your problem and select Get Help. If further assistance is needed, choose Contact Support to connect with the appropriate support option.
Important Note: In some cases, your administrator at work or school may restrict your ability to edit personal details, including your profile picture. If you do not see the option to change your photo, it’s possible this restriction is in place, and you may need to contact your IT department for assistance.
By following these steps, you can easily add a photo to your Outlook profile, enhancing your personal or professional presence across Microsoft’s suite of services. Remember to allow up to 24 hours for the changes to fully propagate across all systems.
