Site developers that uses Windows Live Web Authentication for authentication can't get username, email or any information's from Windows Live ID with Windows Live Web Authentication. Let see what the reason behind it.
Why Windows Live ID don't get Username, email or any other information to site?
Windows Live ID just give site owners this information: A user with this UID (unique id) successfully sing-in to your site, nothing else.
For privacy protection Windows Live ID don't give user email or any information in web authorizing service. it seem not good for site developers but it is very good for users that sign in to sites. Users can sing-in to any site (that's support Windows Live ID) and create your own profile and settings without anyone knows what is your email address and that you are.
What is difference between anonymous users and Windows Live users?
After User sign-in to site with Windows Live ID it gives the site owner always a Unique ID for that site. User profile is based on it and whenever you sign-in back to that site, Windows Live ID give the site ID to that site. but this Unique ID is different in each site. it mean when you login to another site Windows Live ID give them another ID, but unique for that site. This unique ID for each site and saved profile based on this ID is the key difference between anonymous users and Windows Live users.
Why Windows Live ID give different unique id to separate site?
It is for privacy protection too, If it always give one UID (unique id) to all site, then site owners or that that knows the UID can search Internet and find what this UID did in Internet, for example we can find this UID fill some profile in another site and finally it possible to track his/her actions. if user in one site fill a profile data for itself such as email or name, the person behind this UID will reveal and it is against privacy.
Note: Keep in mind, if Windows Live ID don't protect people privacy, then many people will not use it, and will not login to Internet site safely.
How can I use Windows Live Web Authentication when it don't give me Username or email?
Following questions is very common for Windows Live ID developers:
- How site owners get email address of Windows Live ID?
- How site owners identify users that sign-in with Windows Live ID?
You still can use Windows Live Web Authentication and can get username and his/her email address like traditional form authentication. Please see How to identify Windows Live ID users and give permission to them?.