Changing your email account - Time to plan ahead for fiber
Guide to Changing Your Email Address
As the time approaches when you can get rid of your Consolidated Communications DSL account you will want to be prepared with a new email account if you are using fairpoint.net as your email address. Changing your email address can feel overwhelming, but with a clear plan, it’s manageable. Below, you’ll find steps to follow, options for new email providers, and things to prepare for in advance to ensure a smooth transition.
The Dr. Shaw Library offers tech help every Wednesdays. They are a great resource if you need additional help with this
Steps to Take When Changing Your Email Address
- Notify Your Contacts: Send an email from your old address to friends, family, and colleagues informing them of your new email address. Include a clear subject line like "New Email Address Update."
- Update Online Accounts: Log in to all services tied to your old email (e.g., banking, social media, subscriptions) and update your email address in the account settings.
- Set Up Email Forwarding: If possible, configure your old email provider to forward messages to your new address temporarily. This catches anything you might miss during the switch.
- Backup Important Emails: Download or save critical emails from your old account, such as receipts, confirmations, or personal correspondence, before closing it.
- Create a New Account: Sign up with a new email provider (see options below) and choose a professional, long-term address (e.g., firstname.lastname@provider.com).
- Test the New Email: Send a few test emails to ensure the new account works and that others can reply without issues.
- Close or Archive the Old Account: Once you’re confident the transition is complete, decide whether to delete the old account or keep it as an archive.
Good Email Provider Options
- Gmail (Google): Free, widely used, with 15 GB of storage (shared with Google Drive) and excellent integration with apps like Calendar and Docs. Visit Gmail
- Outlook (Microsoft): Free, offers a clean interface, 15 GB of storage, and ties into Microsoft 365 tools, ideal for productivity-focused users. Visit Outlook
- ProtonMail: Privacy-focused, encrypted email with a free tier (1 GB storage) and paid plans for more features—great for security-conscious individuals. Visit ProtonMail
- Zoho Mail: Ad-free, affordable plans starting at $1/month, with 5 GB storage and business-friendly features like custom domains. Visit Zoho Mail
- iCloud Mail (Apple): Free with 5 GB storage for Apple users, simple to use, and integrates seamlessly with Apple devices. Visit iCloud Mail
Things to Prepare For in Advance
Time Commitment: Updating accounts and notifying contacts can take days or weeks, depending on how many services you use. Start early.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Check which accounts use your old email for 2FA and update them to your new email or a phone number to avoid being locked out.
Subscription Overlaps: Some services send confirmation emails to both old and new addresses during the switch—monitor both inboxes for a while.
Storage Needs: Assess how much email storage you’ll need with the new provider and choose accordingly (e.g., Gmail’s 15 GB vs. ProtonMail’s 1 GB free tier).
Professional Impact: If your email is tied to work or a business, inform clients and update marketing materials well ahead of time.
By following these steps and preparing thoughtfully, you’ll minimize disruptions and make the switch to your new email address as seamless as possible.
Creston Gaither,secretary