• Set Up Your System
• Guide to Home Networking
• Join Xbox LIVE

Link Your Gamertag to a Windows Live ID

The key to enjoying Xbox 360 to the fullest is staying connected. Link your gamertag to your Windows Live ID and start reaping the benefits right away:

• Establish your online identity in the Xbox forums.
• Get more out of official community sites like Xbox.com and Bungie.net.
• Use MSN® Messenger to check your friends list.
• See which friends are on Xbox Live, what games they're playing, and invite them to play with you—even when you're playing an offline game.
• Have the latest news and info delivered directly to you, just the way you want it.
• Prepare for Xbox 360!

Linking Is Easy

Just follow these three simple steps.

1. Gather the same information that you used to sign up for your Xbox Live account: your name, ZIP code, phone number, and the last four digits of your credit card number. You can get all this from Account Management in the Xbox Dashboard. Make sure all the information is exactly as you entered it originally in the Xbox Dashboard.
2. Get a Windows Live ID. If you already have an MSN Hotmail account, you're all set. If you don't, it's easy—and free—to set one up. Just go to www.passport.net and follow the directions to set up a new account.
3. Log in with your Windows Live ID. Just follow the prompts using the info from the credit-card screen to complete the link.

That's it! You'll be fine if you follow these directions exactly, but if you have trouble, call 1-800-4MY-XBOX for help.

TIP: Choose your gamertag and its related Windows Live ID carefully because once you link your gamertag to your Windows Live ID, you can't unlink them—even if you cancel your Xbox Live subscription.

Need help collecting your Xbox Live account info? We'll walk you through it.