How do I unlink my Microsoft Account from LinkedIn?

If you connected your LinkedIn profile to your Microsoft account, you may want to unlink them at some point. Unlinking your Microsoft account disconnects it from LinkedIn so they are no longer synced. Here’s a step-by-step guide to unlinking your Microsoft account from LinkedIn.

Why Would I Want to Unlink My Microsoft Account from LinkedIn?

There are a few reasons you may want to unlink your Microsoft account from LinkedIn:

• You want to use separate accounts and logins for LinkedIn and Microsoft services
• You no longer want your LinkedIn data syncing to Microsoft services like Outlook
• You’re switching Microsoft accounts and don’t want your new account connected to your LinkedIn profile
• You want more control over what data LinkedIn can access from your Microsoft account

Unlinking the accounts means they operate independently without any shared data or sign-in access. However, unlinking means you lose certain functionality, like being able to import LinkedIn contacts into Outlook.

How to Unlink Microsoft Account from LinkedIn on Desktop

Here are the steps to unlink your Microsoft account from LinkedIn when using the desktop site:

1. Go to the LinkedIn website and log into your account.
2. Click on your profile icon at the top right and select Settings & Privacy from the dropdown menu.
3. On the left sidebar, click on Account preferences.
4. Under Account management, click on unlinked accounts.
5. Under Microsoft, click on Unlink account.
6. On the pop-up, click Unlink to confirm.

Once you click unlink, your Microsoft account will immediately be disconnected from LinkedIn. You can repeat these steps to relink the accounts in the future if you change your mind.

How to Unlink Microsoft Account from LinkedIn on Mobile

If you prefer using LinkedIn’s mobile app, here are the steps to unlink from Microsoft:

1. Open the LinkedIn app and tap on your profile icon in the top left.
2. Tap on Settings.
3. Scroll down and tap on Account preferences.
4. Tap on Account management.
5. Under Linked accounts, tap on Microsoft.
6. Tap Unlink account and confirm when prompted.

The Microsoft account will now be unlinked from your LinkedIn profile on mobile. Repeat these steps at any time to relink the account.

What Happens When You Unlink Microsoft Account from LinkedIn?

Here are some key things that happen after unlinking your Microsoft account from LinkedIn:

• Your LinkedIn profile and data will no longer sync with Microsoft services like Outlook and Calendar.
• You can no longer use your Microsoft login credentials to sign in to LinkedIn.
• Your LinkedIn contacts will disappear from your Microsoft Address Book.
• You lose access to LinkedIn features powered by Microsoft integration, like seeing LinkedIn profiles in Outlook.
• Your Microsoft account profile picture will be removed from LinkedIn.
• Your activity on LinkedIn will stop syncing to Microsoft Action Center.

So in summary, unlinking disconnects your LinkedIn and Microsoft accounts so they operate independently without any shared features or data syncing.

Can I Relink My Microsoft Account to LinkedIn?

Yes, you can relink your Microsoft account to LinkedIn anytime after unlinking:

1. Go to LinkedIn Settings > Account Preferences > Linked Accounts
2. Click on Add Account and choose Microsoft.
3. Enter your Microsoft login credentials when prompted to relink the account.

Relinking lets you restore all the integrated Microsoft features. Your profile data, contacts, and other information will begin syncing again.

Best Practices When Unlinking Microsoft and LinkedIn

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when unlinking your Microsoft and LinkedIn accounts:

• Back up any LinkedIn data or contacts you want to keep separate before unlinking.
• Make sure you know your standalone LinkedIn login credentials before unlinking from Microsoft.
• Consider unlinking Microsoft temporarily if you just want to debug an integration issue.
• Unlink Microsoft if you want to maintain a strong separation between work and personal accounts.
• Remember unlinking is reversible – you can always relink the same accounts again later.

Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some troubleshooting tips if you run into any problems unlinking your Microsoft account from LinkedIn:

• Make sure you are signed into the correct LinkedIn account that is linked to Microsoft.
• Double check that your Microsoft account credentials are correct if relinking.
• Reset your LinkedIn password if you can no longer log in after unlinking Microsoft.
• Clear your browser cookies and cache if the option to unlink is not appearing.
• Contact LinkedIn or Microsoft customer support if issues persist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does unlinking delete my LinkedIn or Microsoft account?

No, unlinking does not delete or close either account. It simply disconnects them from syncing and sharing data. Your accounts and core profile information remain intact.

Can I link my LinkedIn profile to a different Microsoft account?

Yes, you can link your LinkedIn profile to a new Microsoft account after unlinking your current one. Just follow the relink instructions using your new Microsoft login credentials.

What happens to my Outlook contacts after unlinking?

Any LinkedIn contacts that were synced over to Outlook will be removed once you unlink the accounts. You’ll need to manage contacts separately in each platform moving forward.

Is it possible to only unlink specific Microsoft services like Calendar or Outlook?

No, you can only fully unlink the Microsoft integration. There is no option to selectively unlink certain Microsoft services while keeping others synced.

Can I still use my Microsoft login to sign in to other sites after unlinking?

Yes, unlinking only affects the connection between Microsoft and LinkedIn. You can still use your Microsoft login on any other sites that support Microsoft account sign-in.

Conclusion

Unlink your Microsoft account and LinkedIn if you want to operate them fully independently moving forward. Just be aware that unlinking has trade offs – you lose shared functionality but gain separation and control. Unlinking is easily reversible if you ever want to reconnect them again. Follow the step-by-step instructions above to get your accounts successfully unlinked.