When you set up a new PC in a small business, Windows Setup encourages you to use a Microsoft account. For most people, this is the right choice. That’s although you always have the option to sign in with a local account if you prefer.
If your PC is managed by your employer and they paid for a Microsoft 365 Business account, you have another option. You can sign in to Windows 11 with your work email address. This option may also apply if you’re self-employed, but only if you’re both the user and the administrator.
But be careful, the border between Microsoft 365 accounts intended for individuals and those intended for businesses resembles a real no man’s land. A consumer account is, by definition, unmanaged. You can share this account with up to five other members of your family. But they have to manage their accounts. And you don’t have access to their files or emails.
If you’re not afraid to roll up your sleeves, you can do it all yourself
Business accounts, on the other hand, are meant to be used by employees. You have some control over your account, but the administrator controls what you can and cannot do with your account.
The Microsoft 365 Business Dashboard is designed for experienced administrators. For a small business, this dashboard can be intimidating, and the configuration options can be overwhelming. Non-technical customers will therefore get better results by working with a partner who can handle these tasks.
But if you have enough experience with Microsoft’s enterprise infrastructure and aren’t afraid to roll up your sleeves, you can do it all yourself.
To sign in to Windows with your Microsoft 365 Business account:
- You need an Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) account linked to your business.
- You must also be running Windows 10 or 11 Pro on the client computer. Windows Home will not work with Entra ID sign-in.
- Next, you’ll need to create what Microsoft calls a work or school account (with your custom Microsoft 365 domain) rather than using a free Microsoft account.
- This account logs into the Entra ID infrastructure for your organization’s custom domain.
- You can then link your Entra ID account to Windows when you first log in, which is probably the easiest option.
- If you’re already signed in with a Microsoft account, go to Settings > Accounts > Professional or educational access then log in.
- Enter your work email address and make sure you’ve set up the account as an administrator.
- Sign out and then sign back in using the “Other account” option instead of your Microsoft account.
Source : “ZDNet.com”
