Microsoft account

Microsoft Account (previously known as Microsoft Passport (note: Microsoft Passport is also the name of an unrelated feature introduced in 2015 to Windows 10 ), .NET Passport, Microsoft Passport Network, and Windows Live ID) is a single sign-on web service developed and provided by Microsoft that allows users to log into websites (like Outlook.com), devices (e.g. Windows 10 computers and tablets, or Windows Phones), and applications (including Visual Studio) using one account.

History

Microsoft Passport, the predecessor to Windows Live ID, was originally positioned as a single sign-on service for all web commerce. Microsoft Passport had received much criticism. A prominent critic was Kim Cameron, the author of the Laws of Identity, who questioned Microsoft Passport in its violations of those laws. He has since become Microsoft's Chief Identity Architect and helped address those violations in the design of the Windows Live ID identity meta-system. As a consequence, Windows Live ID is not positioned as the single sign-on service for all web commerce, but as one choice of many among identity systems.

Windows Live

Windows Live is a discontinued brand name for a set of web services and software products from Microsoft as part of their software plus services platform. Chief components under the brand name include web services (all of which are exposed through corresponding web apps), several computer programs that interact with the services, and specialized web services for mobile devices.

According to Microsoft, Windows Live "is a way to extend the Windows user experience". As such, Windows Vista's welcome screen provides a link to download Windows Live Messenger or subscribe to Windows Live OneCare. Also, Windows Mail, Windows Photo Gallery and Windows Movie Maker were not offered with Windows 7 and became an exclusive part of Windows Live. Microsoft announced that Windows 8 will see Windows Live apps included right out of the box, and will include built-in synchronization technologies powered by SkyDrive. The Windows Live brand was phased out during August 2012, when Windows 8 was released to manufacturing. Active Windows Live services remained active but were gradually renamed.