How to find out what accounts are linked to my Microsoft account?

Your Microsoft account allows you to access a variety of Microsoft services and products with a single login. This includes services like Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox Live, and more. Over time, you may have connected several accounts and subscriptions to your Microsoft account without realizing it. Knowing what accounts are linked can help you manage your account more effectively and ensure your information is secure. In this article, we’ll explain how to view all accounts linked to your Microsoft account.

What accounts can be linked to my Microsoft account?

There are various types of accounts and subscriptions that can be associated with your Microsoft account, including:

• Email accounts – You can connect Outlook.com, Gmail, Yahoo, and other email accounts to your Microsoft account for easy access.
• OneDrive – Your OneDrive cloud storage is directly linked to your Microsoft account.
• Microsoft 365 subscription – If you have a subscription like Office 365 or Microsoft 365, it will be managed through your Microsoft account.
• Xbox Live – Your Xbox Live gaming profile and data will be tied to your Microsoft account.
• Microsoft Store – Your purchases and payment options will be linked to access apps, games, movies and more.
• Skype – Your Skype account can be connected to communicate across devices.
• Microsoft Family – You can link household members for parental controls and activity monitoring.
• Work accounts – If your organization uses Microsoft apps and services, you may connect your work account.

Any accounts you intentionally link for easier sign-in will show up in your Microsoft account. But in some cases, accounts get linked during product registration without you realizing it.

Why check what accounts are linked?

Here are some key reasons to periodically check which accounts are linked to your Microsoft account:

• Security – Knowing every account associated with your Microsoft account allows you to watch for suspicious activity and unauthorized access. If a hacker gained access to your Microsoft account, they could breach connected accounts as well.
• Remove unused accounts – Over time you may accumulate linked accounts you no longer use or need quick access to. Removing obsolete links helps declutter your account.
• Manage subscriptions – If you have subscriptions like Office 365 or Xbox Live Gold, checking linked accounts helps you manage billing details and cancel any unused subscriptions.
• Avoid confusion – Seeing all your connected accounts prevents you from losing track and helps avoid confusion when signing in to Microsoft services.
• Access work accounts – If you use your Microsoft account for work, being aware of linked business accounts will help you easily shift between personal and professional use.

Taking a few minutes to audit connected accounts once every few months is a useful way to exercise good account hygiene and security.

How to view linked accounts on a Windows PC

If you use a Windows PC, here are the steps to see all accounts linked to your Microsoft account:

1. Open the Start menu and click on the “Settings” icon to open your Windows Settings.
2. Click on “Accounts” in the Settings app.
3. On the Accounts page, click on “Your info” in the left sidebar.
4. Under “Your info” you will see a section called “Linked accounts.” Any Outlook, Skype, OneDrive accounts, and more will be listed here.
5. Click on “Manage my Microsoft account” to open your full Microsoft account portal in a web browser.
6. In your Microsoft account portal, click on “Security” in the top menu bar.
7. Under “Security” you will see a section titled “Where you’re signed in.” This lists any device or browser that is currently signed into your Microsoft account.

Following these steps will display any accounts and devices connected to your Microsoft login so you can review and manage these associations as needed.

Viewing recently used accounts

In addition to linked accounts, you can also view recently used accounts that may not be permanently associated with your Microsoft login. To do this:

1. Go to Settings > Accounts again.
2. Click on “Your Microsoft account” and sign in if prompted.
3. Scroll down and click on “View account activity.”
4. You will see a list of email accounts and apps that have recently used your Microsoft login to sign in.

This allows you to see accounts you’ve used with your Microsoft credentials even if they are not formally linked.

Using a Microsoft account on an Xbox console

If you use an Xbox console with your Microsoft account, here is how to see linked accounts:

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
2. Select “System” from the side menu bar.
3. Select “Settings.”
4. Choose “Account.”
5. Under “Account” you will see all accounts associated with your Xbox console gamertag.

This will display accounts like Xbox Live, Microsoft Store, and any linked email addresses or Microsoft subscriptions. You can also manage account associations from here.

Viewing linked accounts on mobile devices

On your smartphone or tablet, use these instructions to view Microsoft accounts based on your mobile operating system.

iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Settings app and tap on your name at the top of the menu.
2. Scroll down and select “Password & Security.”
3. Tap on “Apps Using Your Apple ID.”
4. You will see Microsoft listed if you use your Apple ID to sign into Microsoft apps.

Android device

1. Open the Settings app and select “Accounts.”
2. Tap on your Microsoft account.
3. Select “Account synced using this Microsoft account” to see linked accounts.

Windows Phone

1. Open the Settings app and select “Email & Accounts.”
2. Tap on your Microsoft account.
3. Scroll down and select “Manage my Microsoft account” to view associated accounts.

How to unlink an account from your Microsoft account

If you discover accounts linked to your Microsoft login that you want to remove, use these steps:

1. Sign in to your Microsoft account portal at account.microsoft.com.
2. Click on “Security” in the top menu bar.
3. Under “Where you’re signed in” find the account you want to unlink.
4. Click the three dots beside the account name and select “Remove.”
5. Confirm you want to unlink the account when prompted.

The account will no longer be associated with your Microsoft sign-in. Repeat these steps to unlink any other accounts as needed.

Turning off automatic account linking

You can prevent new accounts from being linked without your permission by toggling your Microsoft account settings:

1. Go to your Microsoft account portal and click “Security.”
2. Under “Device security” toggle “Ask me before linking new service accounts.”
3. Toggle “Ask me before linking new devices” as well.

With these settings enabled, you’ll get a prompt to approve any new account or device associations to your Microsoft account.

Conclusion

Keeping track of accounts linked to your Microsoft login is an important way to manage account security and prevent unauthorized access. Following the steps outlined above makes it simple to view associated accounts and subscriptions and unlink anything you no longer use. Periodically checking accounts linked to your Microsoft ID gives you control over what has access to your account and data.