I've created a local admin account on my laptop and associated my work email via Entra ID but the username and password is not recognised when I try to switch accounts.

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I've created a local admin account on my laptop and associated my work email via Entra ID but the username and password is not recognised when I try to switch accounts.

David Caldicott 20

We've been having issues with downloading software locally with our MS365 Business Standard licenses. To get around the issue I've reset my laptop and created a local admin account and associated my work M365 account via the company's Entra ID. The issue is when I try to Switch User to the work account, the username and password is not recognised.

The password is correct as I can log into Office 365 and other online Microsoft applications.Any help appreciated.

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Answer 1

Liora D 2,570 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @David Caldicott

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Q&A Support.

Based on your description, it sounds like you've created a local admin account on your laptop and then associated your work Microsoft 365 account via Entra ID, likely through Settings > Accounts > Access work or school > Connect.

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This method registers your device to Entra ID as Azure AD Registered, which allows access to work resources and apps, but does not allow you to sign in to Windows using your work account. That’s why, when you try to “Switch User” and enter your work email and password, the system doesn’t recognize it even though the password works for Office 365 and other online services.

To sign in directly to Windows using your Microsoft 365 work account, your device needs to be Azure AD Joined. Here’s how to do that:

Go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school
Click Connect
Select Join this device to Azure Active Directory
Enter your work email and follow the prompts

Once the device is Azure AD Joined, you’ll be able to log in using your work account (******@company.com or AzureAD******@company.com) from the Windows login screen.

If you want your work account to have local admin privileges after joining, your IT admin can assign that via Entra ID. Here's the guide: How to manage local administrators on Microsoft Entra joined devices - Microsoft Entra ID | Microsoft Learn

To better understand the issue, could you please upload a screenshot of the exact error message you see when trying to log in with your work account? This will help confirm whether it's a credential issue, a device join status problem, or something else.

Thank you again for your patience and for choosing Microsoft Q&A forum.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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David Caldicott 20 Reputation points

2025-08-19T09:51:03.77+00:00

Hi Liora,

Thanks for your response.

I've followed the steps you've suggested but when I select "step up a work or school account" I do not have the option to connect to Azure Active Directory. The only options I have are for the Microsoft Entra ID and the local Active Directory Domain. Any advice on how to resolve this?
Liora D 2,570 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-19T11:17:13.8233333+00:00

Thanks for confirming and for sharing the screenshot, that helps a lot.

Just to clarify: the option you're seeing, “Join this device to Microsoft Entra ID”, is exactly what you need. Microsoft recently renamed Azure Active Directory to Microsoft Entra ID, so this is the updated label for what used to be called “Azure AD Join.” You're on the right track.

Next Steps: Click “Join this device to Microsoft Entra ID” Enter your work email and follow the prompts to complete the join process.

After joining, you should be able to sign in from the Windows login screen using your work account. Use the format: *@company.com or AzureAD*@company.com
David Caldicott 20 Reputation points

2025-08-19T14:20:33.94+00:00

Hi Liora,

Unfortunately this has not resolved the problem.

I had set the account up originally by associating my work account using the Microsoft Entra ID option and this is where I had the original problem of an unrecognised username or password.

As a test, I've followed the same process again by using the option to "join this device to a Microsoft Entra ID". It has successfully connected but when I attempt to switch user it does not recognise the username or password.

Any further ideas on what might be causing this?

Thanks

David
Liora D 2,570 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-20T13:10:14.3366667+00:00
Hi @David Caldicott
Thanks again for your detailed follow-up. Since you've already completed the correct steps to join your device to Microsoft Entra ID and the issue persists, even though your credentials work for Office 365, this may indicate a deeper configuration or policy issue within your organization's Entra ID setup.

At this point, I recommend raising a support ticket with your Microsoft 365 or Entra ID administrator, or directly with Microsoft Support via your organization's support channel. They’ll be able to:

Check your account’s sign-in permissions

Review devices join status and sync logs

Confirm whether any conditional access or login restrictions are in place

As a Microsoft Community moderator, I’ve provided all available guidance based on your scenario, and I truly appreciate your patience throughout this process.

If this information helped clarify the issue, please consider clicking "Accept Answer" so that others with similar questions can find it more easily. And of course, feel free to reply here if you have any updates or further questions. I’m happy to continue assisting.

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I've created a local admin account on my laptop and associated my work email via Entra ID but the username and password is not recognised when I try to switch accounts.

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