Xbox Live's Major Nelson

Child Account Graduation and Changing Live ID Association

In addition to the list of new dashboard features that were announced today, there are a few more that were not included in the press release that I think may be of interest to some longtime blog readers. After the update, there will be two new choices in the account management section of the dashboard:
 
The ability to change the Windows LIVE ID associated with and Xbox LIVE account.
The description pretty much says it all, but choosing this option changes the Windows Live ID associated with your Xbox LIVE account. It will also transfer all your Microsoft points to the new Windows Live ID as well. Here are some screen shots that show what this looks like in the dash.

Promote your Xbox LIVE child account to an adult account.
If you were not yet 18 when you signed up for Xbox LIVE, your account was designated a child account. Child accounts are tied to a parent's Windows Live ID to control Family Settings, and some features of Xbox LIVE are restricted. After you turn 18, (how about "Now, if you're over 18, or when you turn 18") you can promote your child account to an adult account. If you signed up for Xbox LIVE with a child account and have since turned 18, after the update you'll see a new option at the very top of the Account Management section of the dashboard. The 'Promote Child Account" will allow you to promote an Xbox LIVE account that is a child account to an adult account. This promotion removes the Family Settings and Xbox LIVE restrictions. To promote your account, you must agree again to the Xbox LIVE Terms of Use and marketing opt-ins. If a parent's credit card was on your account, you must also enter a new one to replace it. (Yes, you can use pre-paid Debit cards as well.)

Here are some screen shots that show what this looks like in the dash.

Another new feature that may be of interest to some: this update will also allow Under-18 Xbox LIVE members to now use Messenger on Xbox 360.

Edit: Clarified that Debit cards are needed to replace a parental Credit Card.

Edit: This is now available on Xbox.com.  There's an option on My Xbox > Manage Profile page called Promote Account.  LIVE users can upgrade from their child status that way.  Just like on the console, they need to supply a credit card to replace their current one.

Anon 1
Major, thank you so much! The community has waited a long time for this fix and it feels great to finally see it addressed. Thanks to you and the rest of the Xbox team!
November 30, 2007 9:11 AM [Direct Link]
Xbox 360 Community
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Great! I can finally use messenger on my 360. This is gonna be good :D

November 30, 2007 9:19 AM [Direct Link]
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YAY! finally i am not a "child" even though today is my 19 birthday! Im glad they are finally allowing you to promote child accounts.

November 30, 2007 9:23 AM [Direct Link]
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Elle said:

More Info

Truth be told, this list is just the tip of the iceberg. There were over 300 individual changes in this update, many of which were improvements in performance and support in various areas.

Anyway we can see more the iceberg and its performance improvements?

November 30, 2007 9:24 AM [Direct Link]
Anon 2

WOW, great. I was waiting for this.

November 30, 2007 9:24 AM [Direct Link]
Anon 3

Awesome!

November 30, 2007 9:26 AM [Direct Link]
Golden Compass
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I have read all of the features and don't THINK I have missed this one but, will we be able to sort items such as themes, gamer pictures etc within the download sections by 'free' and then by title or will they remain intermingled.

November 30, 2007 9:27 AM [Direct Link]
Anon 4

YAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

November 30, 2007 9:27 AM [Direct Link]
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It's about time.  But Major, I hope you're not implying that the child account promotion feature is something that only your blog readers care about.  Corporations need to stop thinking that a bunch of people complaining on a web site is only a "vocal minority".

November 30, 2007 9:27 AM [Direct Link]
Anon 5

Thank You, Fianlly

November 30, 2007 9:29 AM [Direct Link]
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