How do I create a new screen name in AOL (America Online) 9.0?

Dave, I've read through your previous Q&A about how to create an AOL screen name, but it doesn't apply to the new AOL 9.0 Security Edition. Can you help me figure out how to add a screen name with this latest Windows application?

Dave's Answer:

You're absolutely right. In typical update fashion, the AOL development team have fiddled with what menus lead to what features and made it either easier or harder to find your overall AOL preferences, depending on how you look at it, making my article on How to create new screen names on AOL obsolete.

To get to the screen name feature in AOL 9.0, forget all the menu options and instead just click on Settings in the AOL toolbar:

Once you've clicked on that, you'll get a large list of different areas you can modify (really, it's a staggeringly large list, far more than any user, even the most dedicated AOLer, is going to modify. But that's another story entirely):

The option you want is Screen Names. Click on it and you'll be at the main screen names area, with options to CREATE a screen name, DELETE a screen name, format a screen name, restore a screen name, and even spawn a new account with one of the existing screen names if you're so inclined:

Needless to say, click on "Create a screen name" here and the first thing you'll see, something that is one reason I like AOL, is the following:

Other companies like Earthlink also have parental controls, but most ISPs just ignore the whole affair, making it darn hard for technically unsophisticated parents to help minimize the chance of their children bumping into the, um, less savory corners of the Internet.

Anyway, I'm going to assume you're setting up a new screen name for an adult, not a child, and click No on this screen.

The next step is the most fun: what screen name do you want to create? AOL has millions of users, though, so it's rare that you can get a cool screen name. It certainly seems like all the good ones are taken!

Amazingly, AskDaveTaylor is available. The next step is to enter a password, which is pretty easy to do. Remember, a mix of upper and lower case letters, a digit or two and even some punctuation can make a great password.

Next, even though I already said I was creating the screen name for an adult, AOL gives me a second chance to categorize what kind of default limits I want on the account. If you've never used America Online, you'll find this screenshot particularly interesting:

Finally, once you've decided what kind of account you want to create, you're done. Close up all the windows and log out. You should be able to log in with your brand new screen name!

Hope that helps you out with America Online. It might not be the snazziest, but with the addition of its automatic spyware checks, antivirus utility and pop-up blocker, it remains a surprisingly relevant alternative method of traveling on the Internet for a lot of people.

Additional helpful AOL tutorials:

• Get rid of AOL popup ads!
• How to delete an AOL screen name
• How to change your AOL account password
• How to cancel your AOL account

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Categorized: Computer and Internet Basics (Article 4187, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: america online, aol
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Reader Comments To Date: 186

evelyn coon said, on September 16, 2005 6:36 PM:

I changed my screen name and get e-mail and can chat ect. with my new name but pop up i m and im's still say my old screen name why?

Terri said, on September 20, 2005 6:48 AM:

This info is fine and dandy and I already know this but since I'm using my mom's computer while mine is down I have no access to that part of AOL. WHY IS THAT?

Dave Taylor said, on September 20, 2005 4:36 PM:

Sounds like your Mom might not be using her Master Screen Name or might have a 'parental controls' account set up to avoid stumbling into porn or other yechy 'net stuff, Terri.

kiera said, on September 21, 2005 1:59 AM:

dave can you help me get a screenname?
i already now how i just dont now how to get there?

Kelley said, on September 22, 2005 7:30 PM:

I've read and read.....we had to delete 9.0 so ijust have the aol explorer. How do I delete screen names and make new ones from it. I am totally lost.

Thanks...Kelley Upton

KATHY said, on September 23, 2005 1:37 AM:

DAVE I WANT TO ADD MY SON ON BUT ITS MY MOM'S ACCOUNT. HELP

michael Ping said, on October 1, 2005 3:35 PM:

I am oly to use it to do my H.W., chating with friends, play games that i could play on. And I am allow to go music awards website.

sonali mendez said, on October 5, 2005 10:45 PM:

i really want a new screen name

Julio said, on October 7, 2005 11:22 PM:

how do i remove a screen name that i dont use in my aol pop-up screen? I only use one of the four names and the other names is from family members but they dont use this comnputer they get on from another computer. I just want my name to show when i sign on. Is there a way?

Dave Taylor said, on October 8, 2005 6:36 AM:

As far as I know, Julio, you can't accomplish what you ask: a master screen name and alternative names all travel as a "pack": if you set up one, you get all the others too.

barbara said, on November 3, 2005 5:33 PM:

i need a new screen names

Steve Jones said, on November 8, 2005 6:21 AM:

I was Wondering How to Delete Screen Names. I have some Screen Names in the Recovery Box that I don't wish to Use any more and I can't figure out how to Delete them from the Computer. if You would or Could help Me Please Do so? I Honestly thank You for Your Help. Steve

Brianna said, on November 15, 2005 2:40 AM:

Pleae help me i keep trying to get a new screen name but it never wants to work it always says unavailable

Aram j Hill said, on November 21, 2005 11:55 PM:

I was wondering if i could get my old Aim account up that i had under aol it was Airjxxiii.

karilyn said, on November 22, 2005 7:54 PM:

how do i get a scren name

Holly said, on December 2, 2005 2:30 AM:

i had a old screen name over 6 months ago, it was about 2 years ago and i really would like to have this name back. I can go on the screen name through aim but i cant restore this on aol. Is there anything i can do to restore it.

Sage Collins said, on December 6, 2005 9:53 PM:

i really want a screenname

Mackenzie said, on December 8, 2005 10:26 PM:

i have a question? i want to add another screen name to the account...but i dont know if it is free??? HELP! i cant find where it says it anywhere!!!!!!

thx! Mackenzie:)

KATRIN said, on December 9, 2005 10:23 PM:

where is the toolbar located on American Online 9.0

Adela said, on December 12, 2005 10:02 PM:

I have an aol screen name but i need to add it to my mothers account. Can I do this?

obaid said, on December 15, 2005 7:40 PM:

i won't to make a another screen name and still keep the other one

Peter Helt said, on December 27, 2005 8:31 AM:

I have another user name which already is setup and I want to access, but can't seem to figure out how to replace my current username.

Dave Taylor said, on December 27, 2005 11:18 AM:

You can add screen names to your AOL account (which is not the same as an AIM account, of course), but if you want to replace one with another, I think the best strategy is to completely remove AOL software from your computer and reinstall it by downloading a fresh new copy from http://www.aol.com/

allan said, on January 3, 2006 7:57 PM:

i got my original screen name; allnhss,,,,deleted cause i said something bad on another screen name to someone in a chat room.......allnhss screen name had nothing to do with it.......i had alot of info,,,stored in that screen name....it was wiped out,,,when AOL deleted all of my former screen names...is there anyway to get back screen name; allnhss ??

Dave Taylor said, on January 3, 2006 11:17 PM:

Allan, I think you're out of luck. Sorry.

Vicki Miles said, on January 4, 2006 7:03 PM:

I had a screen name a while ago. I would like to know is there a way to get the screen name back? It doesn't show in my deleted screen name box.

Thank You

virginia Gregg said, on January 5, 2006 5:07 PM:

I want to add a name to my AOL Account

carra said, on January 10, 2006 5:43 PM:

I have a screen name i created at my dads house but i want to add it too my moms house as the same screen name but on this different account so that i don't have to sign on as a guest. How can i do this?

Abe said, on January 16, 2006 1:33 PM:

I want to transfer my fiancee's existing Screen Name to my existing account, from her brothers account, which he says he wants to close. How do I do this without her having to change her screen name. We want her to continue to get her email at the same Screen Name but on my account... without having to notify her hundreds of friends of a screen name change.
Thanks,
Abe

Niraj said, on January 24, 2006 3:30 PM:

please tell me how do u make aol Email address without paying money or wothout putting bank account number please
tell pleas me right aways at niraj1991@aim.com
without paying money and with out puing bank account number and other personal information please
tell me

Dave Taylor said, on January 24, 2006 4:29 PM:

What makes you think you can get an account on a paid system without paying for it, Niraj? I don't know how you could do that, sorry.

holly said, on February 7, 2006 7:01 PM:

did everything you said to do as far as settings and all that is concerned but when i went to delete it , it said that the account couldn't be deleted with somehting registered to it and i have no clue what that could mean. I'd really like to know how what who and where this thing is so that i could get this name off my computer. thank you for your time

george a montgomery said, on February 13, 2006 9:38 AM:

How do I get an additional aol screenname?

bubble butt said, on February 18, 2006 2:06 PM:

hey, ur info was really helpful but..... they changed the place u go to and it does not look like the example you have and..... the ask you a question and if you answer it honestly they say that it is not what they have on file and.... if you keep answering it they will block you from it for 24 hours! it suxs

Mel said, on February 22, 2006 8:07 PM:

Hey...i want to drop my aol service and want to convert my current aol email address to an AIM email address for free. My screen name was created in AOL first but it is also an AIM sn, can i convert aol e-mail addresss to aim e-mail address?

Dave Taylor said, on February 23, 2006 12:20 AM:

Mel, I don't think you can do that, sorry to say.

Bubble, if you have a problem of that nature with your software, I suggest you contact AOL technical support directly, and good luck to you!

Ray said, on February 26, 2006 3:34 PM:

it wont let meh get an account.and i dont know what web site!do u know it?

Dave Taylor said, on February 26, 2006 8:37 PM:

If it won't let you get an account, Ray, it might be because of parental controls on your existing account.

charles james said, on March 9, 2006 5:44 PM:

Cant create screen name for my wife.

cassie said, on March 9, 2006 5:57 PM:

i have just got on aol and created a screen name. i cannot find a way to create one for my brother and sister who also use the computer. whenever i try it tells me i do not have an account security question (ASQ)and tells me to select one but there aren't any questions there. help me please

marleni said, on March 12, 2006 9:00 AM:

i want my son and my daughter to have their own screen name but i dont know how to get them one please help me?

marisa said, on March 19, 2006 8:52 AM:

i can't change my password1can you help me?

ninny said, on March 22, 2006 2:47 PM:

i dont know how to make a screen name because it wont work please help

-N said, on March 24, 2006 4:58 PM:

I have an AOL account; however the master screen name is on my moms computer, I want to add my master account it too my boyfriend's computer. He also has an AOL account too. How can I add my account to his computer and not delete his account and yet not have to sign on under guest? Can you please help with this situation?

JAMES LOVETT said, on April 2, 2006 10:08 PM:

I WANT TO CHANGE THIS SCREEN NAME BACK TO MY OLD ONE THAT I HAD WITH MY OTHER COMPUTER.

earnestine essex said, on April 13, 2006 1:40 PM:

how do i add a screen name for my child to sign on to aol

sarah said, on April 30, 2006 4:25 PM:

I have a question I go to keyword:screen names and I click on create but heres the problem nothing shows up! How can I fix this? i really need to create a new screen name.

Nancy said, on May 7, 2006 10:14 PM:

Every time I try to go to the new screen name bar,I get a blank screen. I cant even see my old names. What can I do? Nancy 5/7/06 12:10 AM.

judy day said, on May 13, 2006 11:12 AM:

every time i go to screen names to change a password, you, dave taylor shows up. i'm an aol subscriber & down loaded 9.0 myself for free.

J-Mort said, on May 18, 2006 7:25 PM:

I, too, am unable to set up a screen name. I followed you instructions to a "t" and still not able. When I click on the aol toolbar, subsequently on the settings selection, then Screen Names ... the response is "cannot find server" ... what do I do???? (very frustrating)

Lacey said, on May 20, 2006 9:49 PM:

Mel... When you cancle your AOL if you try to sign on again through AOL on the web, it will ask if you want to keep your exsiting screen name...that automaticly gives you an AIM e-mail address for that SN. Just make sure your not saying Yes to re-regestering to AOL.

N-....Only way I know to have both accounts show up would be to install AOL again, and keep both copys on the computer. You can name the links to the diffrent AOL versions so you can tell them apart if ya want. You still cant sign on both at the same time though.

cathy said, on May 24, 2006 12:15 AM:

my screen name settings page wont open...and i want to create a new screen name..
what do i do?

"frustrated"
Cathy

cathy said, on May 24, 2006 12:15 AM:

my screen name settings page wont open...and i want to create a new screen name..
what do i do?

"frustrated"
Cathy

Kim said, on June 2, 2006 6:53 PM:

My father in law and his wife are seperated. He pays the aol bill but she has the master account. Is there any way to remove her account while keeping the others active or will we have to call aol and have all of them deleted?

Meredith M said, on June 5, 2006 2:55 PM:

Dave I am trying to make a new screenname. Now I know that I'm able to because I've done it before, (I have 9.0), when I click on Screen Names in Settings, I get a page that says I need to enable cookies and javascript to use this function. I don't even know how to begin to do this so if you do, please let me know! Thanks.

tiffany said, on June 11, 2006 9:52 AM:

Every time I mouse cick on screen names in the settings section it brings me to a blank screen. I have tried over and over again and I am still unable to get anything, but a blank screen when I get to screen name. Please help me I would like to add a screen name to my existing account.
thnxs tiff

lindsey said, on June 13, 2006 1:40 PM:

HOW DO I GET MY DAUGHTER A SCREEN NAME

Cachanda said, on June 17, 2006 6:04 AM:

Every time I try to log on to add a screen name the page wont come up.

ally said, on June 24, 2006 7:04 PM:

how do i add a screen name for my child to go on @ol?

jennica said, on June 28, 2006 1:58 PM:

I want a screen name on aol.com and I dont know how to do it.So can you help me

evelyn said, on June 29, 2006 12:22 PM:

I have accessed the screen name box in the settings and it keeps coming up blank ... Not offering me the option to add or delete a screen name .. Is this a glitch with aol or what ? What can I do to access the screen name page ?

Ryan McCullough said, on July 13, 2006 2:27 PM:

I'm trying to added a another screen name to my account, and it keeps asking me for my securtiy answer which i don't remember and I tried getting the answer through the help line, but I don't know my account information because my bill is include in my phone bill. What can I do to get my security answer so I can creative a new name for my business.

Thanks
Ryan

Debbie said, on July 30, 2006 5:05 PM:

When I try to add a new screen name, it comes up with title "screen name service" but a blank screen - I can't create a new screen name. Thanks

luther said, on August 9, 2006 9:52 PM:

why did this pop-up change my screenname

Vanessa said, on August 10, 2006 11:24 AM:

i followed every step for 9.0 optimized sercutriy edition on how to create a screen name but after going to setting and clicking screen names first it looks diffrent then the window you posted plus when i click on create screen name it constantly says that i do now"We're sorry, we have temporarily blocked your access to this feature. Please try back after 24 hours; you will be challenged again to provide the correct answer to your Account Security Question" but i constanltly check week after week and its always the same.

michelle said, on August 14, 2006 5:22 AM:

I LOVE MY BABY

michelle said, on August 14, 2006 5:23 AM:

I LOVE MY BABY

michelle said, on August 14, 2006 5:25 AM:

I LOVE YOU

Joyce Robinson said, on August 14, 2006 12:11 PM:

trying to add a s/n and when we try to follow the directions it doesnt work!!!!!! we get a blank screen!!!!!!!

jeanne said, on August 16, 2006 7:23 AM:

hey dave,
i am currently a guest on a friends account. i would like to create a new account on my own computer with the same sn or a new sn and use the other as a guest on a new account. i have followed your instructions to others and just get a blank screen. i have tried to delete the guest account from my computer and reload the cd to create a new account,but my friends account keeps loading instead. can you help?

Tim said, on August 17, 2006 5:55 AM:

Now that AOL Free is rolling out, one thing a whole lotta people, including myself, wanna do, is transfer their AIM screen name to a new free AOL account. There doesn't seem to be a way to do this.. any ideas/tricks?

Samuel said, on August 25, 2006 8:28 AM:

I to have the new Free AOL thing, and I tried creating a new screen name following those instructions, but it didn't work. It said that "We're sorry. This feature is not available at this time." Does that mean that only paid AOL members can use this feature?

Angie said, on August 25, 2006 12:53 PM:

i tried to follow your directions on how to add a screen name but i came to dead in when i pressed on screen names after going to settings, the site always came up blank. no matter how i tried to do it, it came up to the same blank page. i even tried to go to my account and still it took me the the blank page. please help.

jess said, on August 27, 2006 11:02 AM:

hi my name is jess im tring to make a new screen name and it will not let me it keeps saying error please help find out whats wrong with my aol thank-you so much jess tried to follow your directions on how to add a screen name but i came to dead in when i pressed on screen names after going to settings, the site always came up blank. no matter how i tried to do it, it came up to the same blank page. i even tried to go to my account and still it took me the the blank page. please help.

miguel said, on September 1, 2006 10:12 AM:

i have done all of the above and still i get a blank screen when i go to the setting page i would like to create a new screen name please help... thank you.

zef said, on September 3, 2006 8:04 AM:

dave where its the toolbar on aol

Ray said, on September 3, 2006 4:58 PM:

I can't delete or decover any screen names and when i go to help i get screen name service

jamaica said, on September 5, 2006 6:55 PM:

dave im trying to create a new screen name on aol 9.0 i went to settings and clicked on screen names. I clicked on create and it keeps going to a blank page would you please help me

Maxine said, on September 13, 2006 12:09 AM:

Is it possable for two screen names to be on at the same time. The computers are in different locations. One has dial up and the other broadband.

Ken217 said, on September 13, 2006 5:04 PM:

I've seen this question, but not the answer. I want to transfer one of my additional screen names to another account. (My son had a screen name on my account, now he's moved out and is establishing his own AOL account, but wants to add his screen name from my account.) How do I do this? I see that if I delete it from my account, it is not available to him for 6 months. He has a large contact base on that screen name. Thanks,

Wednesday said, on September 17, 2006 6:14 PM:

I want to add a screen name, but when I try, i get the message: We're sorry, this feature is not available at this time.
How do I get passed this? I would appreciate the help. Thanks.

jacunta said, on September 29, 2006 10:41 PM:

how do i access an aol account

jenny said, on October 9, 2006 5:21 PM:

how do i create an other screen name

mar said, on October 14, 2006 8:54 AM:

every time i go to settings and clik screen names to create a new s.n it says.. Action canceled
Internet Explorer was unable to link to the Web page you requested. The page might be temporarily unavailable.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please try the following:

Click the Refresh button, or try again later.

If you have visited this page previously and you want to view what has been stored on your computer, click File, and then click Work Offline.

For information about offline browsing with Internet Explorer, click the Help menu, and then click Contents and Index.

Internet Explorer

i have been trying for weeeeekkkss!!!
please is there any other way?
HELLPPP!! MEE!!!

monica said, on October 16, 2006 5:12 PM:

will this let me get a password and a email

Rachel said, on October 30, 2006 5:37 PM:

hey dave
my computer asked me once if I wanted another s/n but it gives me a blank screen WHY?
rachel

kim said, on October 31, 2006 4:33 AM:

I tried to follow your steps to set up a new screen name..however..after clicking on create a screen name..this comes up..???en_Us.pgTitle.asq.asqblocked???. What do I need to do? I am the master screen name..

hope said, on November 5, 2006 9:33 PM:

all I need is a aol.screen name

Nicky said, on November 10, 2006 3:47 PM:

I have tried to open the window that you say will change your screen name and stuff but it always says page is loaded but it is blank there is nothing on it what do i do...

Tony M said, on November 21, 2006 11:10 AM:

David , My Girlfriend and I are getting a place together , and her AOL account is under her ex bf's account , but she also has an account setup on her computer but allows her mother to use that account , is there any way to transfer her account from her ex bf's account to her main account without having to lose anything , and if so could you be of assistance and help with giving me a few directions on the steps we need to take , I thankyou and appreciate that you took the time to read this , Greatful and Thanks You T.

Dave Taylor said, on November 21, 2006 11:16 AM:

The best I can recommend, Tony, is to give AOL a call directly and talk with their tech support people. Hopefully they can help you two!

bob said, on November 22, 2006 6:48 PM:

i have tried like a hundred times to make an aim sn. i already downloaded aim, but it won't let me make an sn!!! it keeps on saying: this page will be temporarily unavailable
or
we are unable to permit you to create a screen name at this moment

or something like that.
ive been trying for like 5 days.
please help!

EdAtkinson said, on November 23, 2006 1:03 PM:

I tried to set up my wife with a screen name, and was asked for place of birth for security. No matter what I put in, and I know where I was born, I didn't get it right. How do I set up a screen name for my wife? Please help.

BEVERLY PRENTISS said, on December 1, 2006 8:02 PM:

I am trying to add a screen name, but my security question - where I was born - keeps saying it's incorrect. I have tried every possible AOL phone number and have had no success. HELP!!!!

Dematrius said, on December 4, 2006 9:18 PM:

I have tried to add my children to my account but it continues to ask me for a credit card number which I do not have. Please help me.

heather gonzalez said, on December 11, 2006 6:43 PM:

every time i try to log on to create a new screen name the page wont come up..

catdog59 said, on December 22, 2006 8:08 PM:

i'm 59 and i just want another screen name and pass word

Zoe said, on December 25, 2006 4:51 PM:

I'm trying to make a new screen name but after I click "create" all I get is ???en_US.pgTitle.asq.asqblocked???

What should I do.

Thanks so much!

ron said, on December 25, 2006 7:47 PM:

Dave, No matter how many time i try with XP, IE or AOL 9.0 SE, I can't create another screen name. It goes to the screen, but after checking the type of category, it goes back to login or asking for security password and then is in a do loop between the two. Need help...

eric kali said, on January 4, 2007 10:48 PM:

I switched off the pay method and went 2 the free style . now its askin me for a credit card number but i pay by phone bill since i dont have one . how can i fix this other than payin 11.95 a month

thanks 4 ne info

ekali81

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

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I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

How do I create a new screen name in AOL (America Online) 9.0?

Reader Comments To Date: 186

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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