How to create a user in Microsoft 365
Got someone new joining the team? Let's get their Microsoft 365 account ready so they can sign in and start working. You'll create their account, choose a licence and check that they have access to the apps they need.
Before you start
Grab their name, the username you'd like them to use and an available Microsoft 365 licence. You'll also need an administrator account with permission to create users and assign licences.
If you want their address to use your business domain, add and verify that domain first.
Create the account
- Open the Microsoft 365 admin centre.
- Select Users → Active users → Add a user. In the simplified view, select Add user.
- Enter the employee's name and display name.
- Choose their username and domain, such as
[email protected]. - Generate a temporary password and require the user to change it when they first sign in.
- Select Next, choose the user's location and assign the appropriate licence.
- Review the optional settings. Give ordinary employees standard user access; assign an administrator role only when their job requires it.
- Review the details and select Finish adding.
Once the account is ready, share the sign-in details securely with your new team member. Let them know they'll need to choose their own password when they first sign in.
Check the account
Before calling the job done, ask them to sign in and follow any security registration prompts. Check that they can open the services included in their licence.
Missing an app? Head back to Users → Active users → select the user → Licences and apps. Check that the right licence is assigned and the required service is switched on. A new account's services may take a little time to become available.