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Olivia_697

''Account already exists'' when adding an account in the mail app on windows 11.

Hi,

Recently got a new windows laptop 11. The mail app only lets me add 1 outlook email, 1 work email but when i try to add another hotmail email it says ''account already exists''. I reset the app and added the hotmail email first, then the school but then got the same error when i tried to add the outlook one. I have already tried removing it in settings. I don't know what else to do. It all works fine on my phone and old laptop.

Any ideas welcome

thank you

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Replies (8)

Karl Timmermans)

Independent Advisor

Hello Olivia_697

Hi, I'm Karl and will be happy to help you today.

Are these 2 email addresses (Outlook.com and Hotmail.com) alias addresses for the same account. What you are describing would occur if that is the case.

All alias addresses on a single account can be checked via the following link

https://account.live.com/names/manage

Karl

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Olivia_697

They are not the same account - they work as separate emails on my phone and old laptop.

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Ron Sommer MVP 2009-2017

Volunteer Moderator

Is this the app that you are using to add your accounts?

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Olivia_697

Yes this is the app

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Karl Timmermans)

Independent Advisor

I've just performed the following tests using the Mail app on Win 11 system and everything worked as expected without issues

Series 1 (no email accounts were configured)

#1 - Added an Outlook.com account
#2 - Added a 2nd Outlook.com account
#3 - Added an Office 365 (hosted Exchange) account

Series 2 (deleted all existing accounts)

#1 - Added an Outlook.com account
#2 - Added an Office 365 (hosted Exchange) account
#3 - Added a 2nd Outlook.com account

Series 3 (deleted all existing accounts)

#1 - Added an Office 365 (hosted Exchange) account
#2 - Added an Outlook.com account
#3 - Added a 2nd Outlook.com account

*** the assumption I made is that your "work email" is a hosted Exchange account

Given the above results in not being able to replicate what you are running into, would suggest starting by resetting the Mail app using step #5 in the following article using the reset option that deletes the app's data

Top 7 Ways to Fix Mail App Is Not Working on Windows 11
https://www.guidingtech.com/top-ways-to-fix-mai...

Required Forum Disclaimer: The above link is a non-Microsoft website. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Karl

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Olivia_697

Thanks - I managed to make it work, I just had to remove permission to access my email in the email and account settings page and then it worked.

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Karl Timmermans)

Independent Advisor

Glad you got everything - all that matters at the end of day.

Karl

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J.Gao_11

Hey, I have the same issue and I couldn't find where to turn that on, can you give me some help? thanks

''Account already exists'' when adding an account in the mail app on windows 11.

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