One of our amazing employees got married and it clued me in to help write a guide to help others in a similar scenario!

Whether you've recently gotten married, changed your name for personal reasons, or want to ensure your email reflects your current identity, Microsoft 365 makes it possible to update your display name and primary email address—while keeping your original address active and forwarding all emails into a single inbox. Here's how to do it the right way, with no disruption to your daily workflow.

01Why it matters

Your email address is a key part of your professional identity. Ensuring your display name and email address are current helps maintain consistent communication with patients, vendors, and coworkers—especially in a tight-knit professional community like dentistry. But don't worry: with the steps below, your old email address will still work, so you'll never miss a message.

02Step 1: Request the change through your IT team

At Darkhorse Tech, we recommend contacting your IT provider first (that's us!) before making any changes yourself. Why? Because this update typically requires administrator access to Microsoft 365, and if it's not done correctly, it could lead to lost access, mail delivery issues, or duplicate accounts.

To request the update:

• Send a support ticket or email to our help desk.
• Include your current name and email, the new name you'd like to use, and when you'd like the change to take effect.

03Step 2: Admin updates your display name

Once we receive your request, our IT team will:

1. 1
   Sign in to the admin portalLog into your Microsoft 365 Admin Portal.
2. 2
   Open active usersNavigate to Users > Active Users.
3. 3
   Find your accountLocate your account and click into your profile.
4. 4
   Update the display nameUpdate your Display Name to reflect your new name (e.g., from Jane Smith to Jane Doe).
5. 5
   SaveSave the changes.

This is the name that will appear in Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and any other Microsoft 365 service.

04Step 3: Change your primary email address

Next, we'll:

1. 1
   Update your User Principal Name (UPN)Your UPN is your login/email address. We change it to match your new name (e.g., jane.doe@yourpractice.com).
2. 2
   Set the new Primary SMTP AddressThis is what shows up when you send email.
3. 3
   Keep your original address as a Secondary AliasYour old address (e.g., jane.smith@yourpractice.com) stays active.

All emails sent to your old email will automatically land in the same inbox—no need to monitor multiple accounts.

05Step 4: Confirm the transition

We'll confirm with you when the changes are complete, and we recommend:

• Logging out and back into your Microsoft 365 apps (Outlook, Teams, etc.).
• Updating your email signature.
• Letting your coworkers and contacts know about the update, if needed.