What is a Microsoft account?
A Microsoft account is an email address and password that you use with Outlook.com, Hotmail, Office, OneDrive, Skype, Xbox, and Windows.
When you create a Microsoft account, you can use any email address as the user name, including addresses from Outlook.com, Yahoo! or Gmail. If you ever need to reinstall Office, you can use your Microsoft account instead of a product key to activate Office.
Do you already have an account?
If you already sign in to Outlook.com, Hotmail, OneDrive, Skype, Xbox, and Windows, you already have a Microsoft account. Use that account instead of creating a new Microsoft account. If you have an existing Microsoft 365 subscription, or use Microsoft 365 at work or school, be sure to sign in with the account that's associated with your subscription.
I forgot the username or password for the account I use with Office
Did you install Office through the Microsoft Workplace Discount Program?
If you bought Office Professional Plus, Visio Professional, or Project Professional through your employer's Microsoft Workplace Discount Program (formerly known as Home Use Program) benefit, you must enter a product key to activate Office. Select the I don't want to sign in or create an account link at the bottom of the Sign in to set up Office page and enter your product key. Need help finding it? See Get your Workplace Discount Program product key.
