Windows · Accounts & Family
Connect This PC to a Work or School Organization
Access Work or School lets you connect this PC to an organization's Azure AD / Microsoft Entra environment so you can access company or school email, apps, and resources, and so IT can apply required security policies.
How to open Access Work or School
- Open Settings > Accounts > Access work or school.
- Select 'Connect' and enter your work or school email address.
- Follow your organization's sign-in and verification steps, which may include multi-factor authentication.
- Once connected, organization-managed apps and policies become available automatically.
What you should know
- Connect using a work or school account to gain access to organization-managed resources like SharePoint, Teams, or internal apps.
- Organizations may require this connection before allowing access to email or shared files from this device.
- IT administrators can enforce security policies (like requiring a PIN or encryption) once connected.
- You can disconnect an organization account at any time, which removes its managed policies from this PC.
Why it matters
Many organizations won't grant access to company email, files, or internal tools until a device is formally connected this way — it's often the step people miss when a new work laptop or personal PC can't reach company resources.
Best practices
- Only connect personal devices to an organization you trust, since IT can apply security policies (and in managed cases, remotely wipe organization data) once connected.
- Disconnect from an organization's account promptly if you leave that job or school.
- Keep your device's Windows version and security patches current — many organizations require this before granting access.
Common problems and fixes
- Connection fails with a 'can't reach your organization' error.
- Check your internet connection and confirm the work/school email is correct — some organizations also require you to be on a specific network or VPN for the initial connection.
- Organization apps say the device isn't compliant.
- This usually means a required policy (like a PIN, encryption, or antivirus) isn't met yet — check Settings > Accounts > Access work or school > Info for the specific requirement.
Tips and tricks
- If a company app won't launch, check this page first — it often just needs you to reconnect after a password change.
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer see everything on my personal PC after I connect it?
No — organization policies typically apply only to managed work data and apps, not your entire personal PC, though the exact scope depends on what your IT department configures.
What happens if I disconnect from my organization?
You lose access to that organization's managed resources and any policies it applied are removed, but your personal files and accounts are unaffected.
Related settings
- Other UsersOther Users lets you add separate sign-in accounts for other people who share this PC — family members, guests, or coworkers — each getting their own desktop, files, and settings, isolated from yours.
- Windows SecurityWindows Security is the built-in protection center for virus & threat protection, firewall & network protection, and device health. It runs Microsoft Defender Antivirus and lets you review recent scans and threats.
More Accounts & Family guides for Windows
- Family SafetyMicrosoft Family Safety lets you create a family group to manage screen time limits, content filters, spending, and location sharing for children's Windows, Xbox, and mobile devices from one place.
- Email & AccountsEmail & Accounts lists every account — Microsoft, work/school, or other — that your installed apps (Mail, Calendar, OneDrive, and third-party apps) are allowed to use to sync data. You can add new accounts here or remove ones apps no longer need.
- PasskeysPasskeys let you sign into supported websites and apps using Windows Hello (your face, fingerprint, or PIN) instead of typing a password — they're stored securely on this device and can't be phished or reused if a website is breached.
- Sign-in OptionsSign-in Options controls every way you can sign into this PC — Windows Hello face and fingerprint recognition, PIN, security key, or password — and lets you require sign-in after sleep for extra security.
- Your InfoYour Info shows the account currently signed into this PC — your name, profile picture, and whether it's a local or Microsoft account — with quick links to manage your Microsoft account online.
- Linked DevicesLinked Devices shows phones and other PCs connected to your Microsoft account, enabling features like continuing a browser tab from your phone on this PC, or seeing your phone's photos and notifications through the Link to Windows / Phone Link app.