Do you sometimes work on your own computer at home, or on a laptop your school doesn't manage? Then you can add your work or school account to Windows 11. You sign in once, and the Microsoft 365 apps, Teams, OneDrive and Edge pick up that account automatically, without asking for your password every time. Your PC still stays yours: your organization doesn't get full control unless you choose to give it.
What actually happens?
When you add a work account through Access work or school, your PC becomes Microsoft Entra registered. That's not the same as a PC that is Entra joined:
- Registered: you still sign in to Windows with your own personal or local account. The work account simply sits next to it, giving you single sign-on in apps. Perfect for a personal PC.
- Joined: your work account becomes the Windows sign-in account and the PC belongs to your organization. That's meant for company devices.
All the options side by side are explained in Entra joined, hybrid joined or registered.
Add your work account
- Go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school. Shortcut: press Windows key + R and type
ms-settings:workplace. - Select Connect.
- Type your work address and select Next. Do not pick the link at the bottom to join the device to Microsoft Entra ID: that turns the PC into an organization device.
- Sign in with your password and approve the MFA prompt, for example in the Authenticator app.
- Select Done. Your account now appears in the list.
Next, install the apps if your license includes them. See install the Microsoft 365 apps on your Windows PC.
Can your organization manage your PC?
You can also add the account simply by signing in to Word, Outlook or Teams. Windows then shows a dialog offering to use the account in all apps. What it looks like depends on your Windows version:
- The older Stay signed in to all your apps dialog has a checkbox Allow my organization to manage my device and a link No, sign in to this app only.
- Newer versions let you choose between Yes, all apps and No, this app only. If your organization uses Intune, a separate question about device management can follow.
On a personal PC, clear the management checkbox or answer No to the management prompt. If you pick this app only, the account isn't added to Windows and you sign in app by app.
If you do let your organization manage the PC, it can install apps, enforce security settings and wipe company data if the device is lost. How that works on company devices is covered in add a Windows device to Entra and Intune manually.
What can your organization see?
On a registered PC, IT can't see your personal files, photos or browsing history. What they can see are details like the device name, operating system and version, join type, owner, registration date and last activity. You can check your own devices at myaccount.microsoft.com under Devices.
For admins
In the Microsoft Entra admin center, under Entra ID > Devices > Device settings (the exact name can differ slightly), you decide who may register devices, whether MFA is required for it and the maximum number of devices per user. Don't want personal devices in Intune? Block personally owned devices in the enrollment restrictions in the Intune admin center. For personal PCs, app protection policies and Conditional Access are often a better fit than full management, an idea that runs through modern management with Intune.
Common problems
- A message that you've reached the maximum number of devices: remove old devices in My Account or ask your admin to clean up.
- Your organization doesn't allow registration: the admin blocks it on purpose. Use the web apps at office.com instead.
- Apps keep asking for a password: disconnect the account, restart and add it again.
- Allowed management by accident: disconnect as described below. Data your organization manages may be removed in the process.
Remove the account again
Go to Access work or school, select the account and choose Disconnect, then restart. Also tidy up the device record, as described in remove a device from your Microsoft 365 account.
FAQ
Does this work in Windows 10?
Yes, the steps are largely the same. Windows 10 no longer gets regular updates though, so moving to Windows 11 is recommended.
Can I add more than one work account?
Yes. Each account shows up separately under Access work or school, for example one for your job and one for your studies.
Can my employer wipe my PC?
Not with a plain registration without management. Only when you enroll the PC in Intune can your organization take further-reaching actions.
Nederlandstalige versie: Je werk- of schoolaccount toevoegen aan Windows 11