When you configure a new computer In a home or small office, Windows Setup recommends that you use a Microsoft account. For most people, that is the right choicealthough you still have the option to log in with a local account if you prefer.
If your PC is managed by your employer and if your employer has paid for a Microsoft 365 Business account, you may have another option: sign in to windows 11 with your business email address. That option could also apply if you are self-employed, in which case you are the user and the administrator.
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But be careful, the line between Microsoft 365 business and consumer accounts is more like a demilitarized zone. A consumer account, by definition, is unmanaged. You can share your account with up to five additional family members, but they can manage your accounts and you don’t have access to their files or email.
Business accounts, on the other hand, are intended for employees or students. You have some control over your account, but the organization administrator controls what you can’t and cannot do with your account. The Microsoft 365 Business dashboard is designed for experienced administrators. For the average small business owner, trying to run a one-person organization can be intimidating and the options overwhelming.
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Non-technical clients will get the best results by working with a partner who can handle those administrative 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 log in to Windows, you need a Entry ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) linked to your company. You must also be running Windows 10 or 11 Pro on the client machine. Windows Home edition will not work with an Entra ID login. Next, you’ll need to create what Microsoft calls a work or school account (with your custom Microsoft 365 domain) instead of using a free Microsoft account. That account logs in to the Entra ID infrastructure for your organization’s custom domain.
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You can link your Entra ID account to Windows when you sign in for the first time, which is probably the easiest option. If you’re already signed in with a Microsoft account, go to Settings > Accounts > Access Work or School. In the “Add a work or school account” section, click Connect. Enter your business email address and make sure you set the account as Administrator. Sign out and sign back in, using the “Other account” option instead of your Microsoft account.
If you need more help with Microsoft 365, see the article “What is Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365)? All you need to know.“