Microsoft 365: Determine if My @umich.edu Email Is Associated With a Personal Account

Environment

Microsoft 365 (U-M ITS-managed and personal (non-UM))

Issue

  • I'm receiving emails from Microsoft to my @umich.edu email address containing consumer-related advertisements (e.g., "earn cashback on everyday purchases with Microsoft Edge"). Why is this happening?
  • I'm receiving security alert emails from Microsoft indicating suspicious activity has been detected on my account and asking me to verify with a security challenge. Is this real? Why am I receiving this?
  • When I attempt to log in to U-M Microsoft 365, it asks me whether I want to use my "work or school account" or my "personal account." Why is this?

Resolution

Note: The following information is for the ITS-managed instance of Microsoft 365 (@umich.edu), not the HITS-managed instance (@med.umich.edu).

Before 2017, individuals could create personal (non-UM) Microsoft 365 accounts with their @umich.edu email address. When the domain was captured in 2017, @umich.edu email addresses could only be used to create a U-M Microsoft 365 account.

If you are receiving advertisements from Microsoft or being asked to select which type of account you want to sign into at login, you most likely have a personal account associated with your @umich.edu address. To determine if this is the case, follow the instructions below.

  1. Open an incognito/private browser window.
  2. Go to portal.office.com.
  3. Enter your @umich.edu email address under "Sign in" and click Next.
  4. You will be presented with the following options (screenshot attached) and asked to select one if you have a personal account associated with your @umich.edu email address:
    • Work or school account (Created by your IT department)
    • Personal account (Created by you)

If you only had a U-M Microsoft 365 account associated with your @umich.edu email address, you would be directed to enter your UMICH password instead of being asked to select an option stated above.

Refer to the Microsoft Support Center for information on changing the email address associated with your personal Microsoft 365 account. (You will need to use Microsoft's guided support tool to change it.)

Additional Information

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.

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