This guide shows you how to complete your Microsoft 365 email login in a web browser, create your own password, set up sign-in security, and manage users in the Microsoft 365 admin center. You do not need the Outlook desktop app. Any browser on a laptop, tablet or phone works.
I’m Arul M Joseph, a web developer with 14+ years of experience and 500+ websites delivered. I set up Microsoft 365 business email for my clients, and this page walks you through the first login after you receive your login details from me.
Quick Summary
- Open outlook.office.com in Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox.
- Sign in with your full email address and the temporary password I sent you.
- Create your own password when Microsoft asks for it.
- Set up the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone for sign-in security.
- Admins add users and reset passwords at admin.microsoft.com.
Microsoft 365 Links You Need
| Link | What it does |
|---|---|
| outlook.office.com | Read and send email in your browser (Outlook on the web) |
| microsoft365.com | Home page for Outlook, Word, Excel, OneDrive and Teams on the web |
| mysignins.microsoft.com | Change your password and your sign-in methods |
| admin.microsoft.com | Add users, reset passwords and manage licenses (admins only) |
How Do I Log In to Microsoft 365 Email in a Browser?
Go to outlook.office.com, enter your full email address, enter your password and select Sign in. Your inbox opens in Outlook on the web, the browser version of Outlook included with every Microsoft 365 business plan.
Step 1: Open Outlook on the web
- Open your browser and go to https://outlook.office.com.
- You also reach your email from microsoft365.com. Sign in there, then select Outlook from the app list on the left.
Step 2: Enter your email address
- Type your full work email address, for example
name@yourcompany.com. - Select Next.
- If Microsoft asks you to pick between a work or school account and a personal account, pick Work or school account.
Step 3: Enter the temporary password
- Type the temporary password from the login details I sent you. Copy and paste it to avoid typing mistakes.
- Passwords are case-sensitive. Check for capital letters.
- Select Sign in.
Step 4: Create your own password
- Microsoft shows an Update your password screen on your first sign-in.
- Enter the temporary password in Current password.
- Enter your new password twice. Use at least 8 characters with at least three of these: uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
- Select Sign in. Save the new password in a password manager.
Step 5: Choose whether to stay signed in
- Select Yes on your own computer so you skip the login next time.
- Select No on a shared or public computer.
How Do I Set Up Microsoft Authenticator on My First Sign-In?
After your password, Microsoft shows a More information required screen and asks you to add the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone. This is multi-factor authentication (MFA): a second check after your password, so a stolen password alone does not open your mailbox.
New Microsoft 365 accounts have security defaults turned on. Under security defaults, users register for MFA with the Microsoft Authenticator app, and Microsoft removed the old 14-day grace period in July 2024 (Microsoft Learn: security defaults). Keep your phone with you for your first login.
Step 1: Install the app
- Install Microsoft Authenticator from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android).
- On your computer, select Next.
Step 2: Add your work account
- Open Authenticator on your phone and allow notifications.
- Tap + (Add account) and choose Work or school account.
- Tap Scan QR code and point your phone camera at the QR code on your computer screen.
- Select Next on your computer.
Step 3: Approve the test notification
- Your computer shows a two-digit number.
- Your phone shows a sign-in request. Type the number and tap Yes.
- Select Next, then Done.
From now on, Microsoft asks for this approval when you sign in on a new device or browser. Add a phone number as a backup method at mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info in case you lose your phone.
Video Guide: Set Up Your Sign-In for Multi-Factor Authentication
How Do I Use Outlook on the Web?
Outlook on the web gives you email, calendar and contacts in one browser tab. These are the tasks most new users need in the first week.
- Send an email: Select New mail at the top left, add the recipient, subject and message, then select Send.
- Add an email signature: Select the gear icon (Settings) at the top right, then Account > Signatures.
- Open your calendar: Select the calendar icon in the left bar.
- Use email on your phone: Install the Outlook app from the App Store or Google Play and sign in with the same email and password. This step is optional.
- Sign out: Select your profile picture at the top right, then Sign out.
Video Guide: Get to Know Outlook on the Web
How Do I Manage Microsoft 365 at admin.microsoft.com?
The Microsoft 365 admin center at admin.microsoft.com is where the account owner adds users, assigns licenses, resets passwords and checks billing. Only accounts with an admin role open it. Regular staff accounts do not need it.
Sign in with your admin email and password. The address now forwards to admin.cloud.microsoft, and both addresses open the same admin center.
| Task | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Add a user | Users > Active users > Add a user |
| Reset a password | Users > Active users > select the user > Reset password |
| Assign or remove a license | Users > Active users > select the user > Licenses and apps |
| Delete a user | Users > Active users > select the user > Delete user |
| Check subscriptions and bills | Billing > Your products, and Billing > Bills & payments |
| Check your domain | Settings > Domains |
Video Guide: Overview of the Microsoft 365 Admin Center
How Do I Add a New User in Microsoft 365?
Go to Users > Active users > Add a user in the admin center, enter the name and email address, assign a license and select Finish adding. Each user needs a license, so buy one more license first if all your licenses are in use.
Step 1: Open Active users
- Sign in at admin.microsoft.com.
- Go to Users > Active users and select Add a user.
- If your admin center shows the simplified view, select Add user on the Users tab.
Step 2: Set up the basics
- Enter the first name, last name and display name.
- Enter the username (the part before @) and pick your domain, for example
sales@yourcompany.com. - Leave Automatically create a password ticked, or untick it and type a password.
- Keep Require this user to change their password when they first sign in ticked.
- Select Next.
Step 3: Assign a product license
- Pick your country under Select location.
- Tick your plan, for example Microsoft 365 Business Basic or Business Standard.
- If no licenses are left, go to Billing > Your products, open your subscription and buy one more license, then come back.
- Select Next.
Step 4: Check the optional settings
- Leave the role as User (no admin center access) for normal staff.
- Give an admin role only to people who manage users or billing.
- Select Next.
Step 5: Finish and share the login details
- Check the summary and select Finish adding.
- Copy the username and temporary password from the confirmation screen.
- Send the password through a different channel from the username, for example the email address by email and the password by phone or WhatsApp.
- Share this page with the new user so they follow the login steps above.
Video Guide: How to Add a User in Microsoft 365
How do I reset a user’s password?
- Go to Users > Active users.
- Select the key icon next to the user, or open the user and select Reset password.
- Keep Require this user to change their password when they first sign in ticked.
- Select Reset password and share the new temporary password with the user.
Common Microsoft 365 Sign-In Problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Microsoft says the username is wrong | Type the full email address, including the part after @. Check the spelling of your domain. |
| Microsoft rejects the temporary password | Copy and paste the password. If it still fails, ask your admin to reset it. |
| A personal Outlook.com inbox opens | Sign out, go to outlook.office.com and pick Work or school account. |
| New phone or lost phone with Authenticator | Ask your admin to require MFA re-registration in the Microsoft Entra admin center (Users > select the user > Authentication methods). Set up Authenticator again on your next sign-in. |
| Account locked after many wrong passwords | Wait a few minutes before you try again, or ask your admin for a password reset. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Microsoft 365 email login page?
The Microsoft 365 email login page is outlook.office.com. Sign in with your full work email address and password to open your inbox in Outlook on the web.
Do I need the Outlook app to use Microsoft 365 email?
No. Outlook on the web runs in any modern browser and covers email, calendar and contacts. The Outlook desktop and mobile apps are optional.
Is admin.microsoft.com the same as outlook.office.com?
No. outlook.office.com is your mailbox. admin.microsoft.com is the admin center for adding users, resetting passwords and managing licenses, and only admin accounts open it.
How many users does a Microsoft 365 business plan allow?
Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Business Standard and Business Premium support up to 300 users. You pay for one license per user (Microsoft 365 business plans).
What do I do if I forget my password?
Select Forgot my password on the sign-in screen if your organisation has self-service password reset turned on. Otherwise, ask your Microsoft 365 admin to reset it from the admin center.
Need help with Microsoft 365 setup, email migration or new users? Contact me or see my business email services. Using Google Workspace instead? Read how to connect Google Workspace email to Outlook.
