Windows Live ID and OpenID

TL;DR

Explains how to set up and link a Windows Live ID with OpenID for testing, enabling single sign-on and unified authentication across supported web services like Plaxo.

19 November 2008
Written by Martin Hinshelwood
2 minute read
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It seams that Microsoft is making an attempt to integrate with OpenID. With the announcement that “Windows Live ID commits to support of OpenID ” I thought a little investigation would be in order.

You need to setup a new Live ID on the Live-INT service, you can use any email, but make sure that you do not use your production password!

  • Go to https://login.live-INT.com/ and use the sign-up button to set up a Windows Live ID test account in the INT environment.

  • Go to https://login.live-int.com/beta/ManageOpenID.srf to set up your OpenID test alias. image

    You alias will be “http://openid.live-int.com/[yourAlias].

    You can then associate an open ID with a site. Here is the experience with Plaxo:
    
    [![image](images/WindowsLiveIDandOpenID_9E73-image_thumb_1-1-2.png)](http://blog.hinshelwood.com/files/2011/05/GWB-WindowsLiveWriter-WindowsLiveIDandOpenID_9E73-image_4.png)
    

    From the Plaxo homepage, click “Settings”…

    [![image](images/WindowsLiveIDandOpenID_9E73-image_thumb_2-2-3.png)](http://blog.hinshelwood.com/files/2011/05/GWB-WindowsLiveWriter-WindowsLiveIDandOpenID_9E73-image_6.png)
    

    Then select “Identities” and “Manage your OpenID’s”.

    [![image](images/WindowsLiveIDandOpenID_9E73-image_thumb_3-3-4.png)](http://blog.hinshelwood.com/files/2011/05/GWB-WindowsLiveWriter-WindowsLiveIDandOpenID_9E73-image_8.png)
    

    You can then attach any number of OpenIDs to your Plaxo account. So lets click “Attach a new OpenID”.

    [![image](images/WindowsLiveIDandOpenID_9E73-image_thumb_5-4-5.png)](http://blog.hinshelwood.com/files/2011/05/GWB-WindowsLiveWriter-WindowsLiveIDandOpenID_9E73-image_12.png)
    

    And then “SignIn”.

    [![image](images/WindowsLiveIDandOpenID_9E73-image_thumb_7-5-6.png)](http://blog.hinshelwood.com/files/2011/05/GWB-WindowsLiveWriter-WindowsLiveIDandOpenID_9E73-image_16.png)
    

    This is where Windows Live takes over from the main sites, and you enter your password for your Live account.

    I am hoping that they will be releasing a version that works for .NET applications and not just websites. This would allow application developers to join the ranks of interconnected authentication application with single sign-on.
    
    It is a dream I have…
    
    Technorati Tags: [Windows Live](http://technorati.com/tags/Windows+Live),[OpenID](http://technorati.com/tags/OpenID)
    
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