To add a device to your Microsoft account, sign in to Windows or Xbox with that account, or register supported Surface and Xbox hardware on your account’s Devices page. For an existing Windows PC, start with Settings > Accounts > Your info. Phones and Macs cannot join the main personal-account device inventory, although you can connect them to supported Microsoft apps and services.
The short version
- Windows PCs: Sign in to Windows with your Microsoft account, then allow up to 24 hours for the PC to appear.
- Surface and Xbox hardware: Select Register device on your account’s Devices page and enter the serial number.
- Xbox consoles: Add your Microsoft account through the console’s profile menu.
- Phones and Macs: App sign-in and phone pairing do not register these devices in the main device inventory.
| Device or goal | Where to start | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Existing Windows PC | Settings > Accounts > Your info | Connect your local Windows account to Microsoft |
| Shared Windows PC | Settings > Accounts > Other users | Add another Windows user who can sign in |
| New Windows PC | Microsoft account sign-in during setup | Associate the PC with your account |
| Surface or Xbox hardware | Register device on the account’s Devices page | Register supported hardware for service management |
| Microsoft Modern accessory | Register device > Other Microsoft Accessories | Register a supported accessory |
| Xbox account using a controller | Profile & System > Add or switch > Add new | Add your account to the console |
| Xbox account using a browser | Use another device on the console | Complete console sign-in on a phone or PC |
| New Xbox console | Account sign-in during console setup | Add your account while setting up the console |
| Android phone | Phone Link and Link to Windows | Pair by QR code or manual code |
| iPhone | Phone Link on the PC | Pair through Bluetooth using QR or manual setup |
| Owned Store apps or games | Microsoft Store account sign-in | Download compatible purchases |
| Full Store download-device allowance | Unlink an unused download device | Free a Store download slot |
Add an existing Windows PC
On a Windows 11 PC that uses a local account, open Settings > Accounts > Your info. Select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead, then complete the sign-in prompts with the Microsoft account you want associated with the PC.
That link appears only when your current Windows account is local. If Windows already uses a Microsoft account, check which account is signed in. Signing in to an app with a different account does not change the account you use to sign in to Windows.
For a shared PC, you can add another person without replacing the current Windows user. Open Settings > Accounts > Other users, then under Add other user, select Add account. Enter the person’s Microsoft account email address and finish setup, then have that person sign in to Windows using the new user account.
Connect a new PC during setup
During Windows setup, connect the PC to the internet and select Set up for personal use when offered. Enter your Microsoft account email address and select Next. Enter your password, select Sign in, and complete the remaining setup prompts.
Setup screens vary by Windows edition and device, including Surface models. Choose the Microsoft account you want associated with the PC when you reach the sign-in stage.
Register Surface and Microsoft accessories online
Open your Microsoft account device inventory and sign in to the intended account. Select Register device, enter the hardware’s serial number, and complete registration. This route supports Surface devices, Xbox consoles, and supported Surface and Xbox accessories.
Manual serial-number registration for Windows computers is limited to Surface. For another brand of Windows PC, sign in to Windows with your Microsoft account instead. You cannot use the registration form to add a phone or Mac.
For a supported Microsoft Modern accessory, select Register device, then choose Other Microsoft Accessories and enter the serial number. Supported products include the Modern Webcam, Modern USB-C Speaker, Modern Wireless Headset, Modern USB-C Headset, and Modern USB Headset.
Hardware registration supports warranty and service management. To use your Microsoft account on an Xbox console, complete the console sign-in steps as well.
Add your account to an Xbox console
On an Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One, press the Xbox button on the controller. Select Profile & System > Add or switch > Add new. Enter your Microsoft account email address and select Enter, then enter your password and select Enter again.
Review the agreements and select I Accept. Complete the sign-in, security, and PIN preferences to finish adding the account.
To enter your credentials using a phone or computer, select Use another device on the console’s sign-in screen. Open the URL displayed on the TV, enter the displayed code, and complete Microsoft account sign-in in that browser.
For a new console, power on the console and controller. Use the controller to complete the language, network, and system-update screens, then enter your existing Microsoft account credentials at the sign-in stage. Finish the remaining console setup prompts.
Check registration and fix a missing PC
After signing in to Windows, return to your Microsoft account’s Devices page and check for the PC. Microsoft says automatic Windows registration can take up to 24 hours. Allow that time before treating a missing entry as a registration failure.
On an updated Windows 11 Home or Pro PC signed in with a Microsoft account, open Settings > Accounts > Linked devices to manage associated PCs and Xbox consoles. This view shows existing associations; you still need to sign in on the device you want to add.
If a PC is still missing, confirm that Windows uses the same Microsoft account you opened in the browser. Return to Settings > Accounts > Your info and check whether you still need to select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead. For a non-Surface PC, use Windows sign-in instead of retrying serial-number registration.
Adding an account under Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts supplies that account to apps. Selecting Add a Microsoft account for other apps alone does not guarantee that the PC appears in the main inventory. Use the Windows sign-in route when device registration is your goal.
Microsoft excludes organization-owned or managed PCs from personal-account device registration. If that describes your computer, personal-account registration is unavailable for it.
Connect a phone with Phone Link
To connect a phone to a Windows PC, use Phone Link on the computer and the appropriate phone setup flow. Microsoft’s Phone Link product page provides the companion-app download links. Pairing connects the phone to your PC without registering it in the main Microsoft account device inventory.
For Android, Microsoft’s Phone Link support page lists Android 10 or later; connect the phone and PC to the same Wi-Fi network. Open Phone Link on the PC and sign in, then open Link to Windows on Android using the same Microsoft account. On the PC, check I have the Link to Windows app ready and select Pair with QR code.
On Android, select Link your phone and PC, then select Continue. Scan the PC’s code, finish the permission prompts, and select Done. For code entry instead of scanning, select Pair manually on the PC and complete the pairing prompts.
For an iPhone, Microsoft’s Phone Link support page lists iOS 16 or later; enable Bluetooth on both devices. Open Phone Link on the PC, select iPhone, and scan its QR code with the iPhone camera. Complete Bluetooth pairing and choose the permissions requested during setup.
If scanning is unsuitable, select Continue manually without a QR code and follow the browser link. Phone Link does not support iPad or Mac. Older instructions may call the apps Your Phone and Your Phone Companion; their current names are Phone Link and Link to Windows.
Handle Store download limits separately
The Microsoft Store limit of 10 devices applies to content downloads, rather than being a universal limit on devices associated with your account. To download an owned app or game on a PC, open Microsoft Store and sign in with the account used for the purchase. Open My Library and select the Download icon beside the compatible app or game.
If you have reached the download-device limit, open your Microsoft Store download devices and sign in. Find an unused device, select Unlink, review its details, and select Unlink again. This frees a Store download slot; adding a PC to your account still uses the Windows sign-in steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does adding a PC also link its Windows activation license?
Check the license separately by signing in as an administrator and opening Settings > System > Activation. If your digital license is not linked, select Add an account, enter your Microsoft account credentials, and select Sign in. Confirm that the status says Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.
How do I associate Office on a Mac with my Microsoft account?
Open an Office app on the Mac and select Sign In. Use the account holding your license or subscription to associate the installation with that account. If you are already editing a document, open File > New from Template..., then select Sign In.
How do I connect a child's Windows PC for Family Safety?
Open Settings > Accounts > Family, add the family member, and complete account setup. Have the child sign in on the PC with their Microsoft account. Use a standard Windows user account for a child whose device you will manage through Family Safety.
Is making a device trusted the same as registering it?
Making a browser trusted reduces repeated security-code requests; it does not register hardware. On that device, sign in to your Microsoft account’s security settings and complete identity verification by entering the security code. Check Don't ask me again on this device and select Verify.
How do I remove an old PC or Xbox from my account?
On your Microsoft account’s Devices page, select the device’s Show details, then choose More actions > Remove. Check I'm ready to remove this device and select Remove. Removing an old association does not add a replacement device.