Before explaining the account-switching functionality, let's first explain why Microsoft implemented it.
Due to COVID-19's complete transformation of the workplace atmosphere, hybrid work is now more prevalent than ever. As the lines between work and personal life blurred, users became increasingly perplexed when they needed to utilize multiple work accounts to complete a job. Users cannot keep up with the speed at which they must operate with several accounts as tasks get larger and larger. Users may create several personal and professional accounts to accomplish various tasks, such as setting up a business meeting, working with a third party, or even scheduling a family trip. Today, users of Microsoft 365 web apps can only work with a single account, and to use another account, they must sign out, open a private browser window, or use a different browser or device entirely. This causes a lot of friction and confusion and occasionally leads to the mistake of sending the wrong emails using different accounts.
Here are two such circumstances when we think switching accounts will help users do more with less effort.
Megan works for many companies, including two affiliated with each other: Orchard House, where she works as a consultant, and Auli, where she uses two different work accounts to assist. She used to work and coordinate between the two organizations in a conventional browser and an InPrivate window. Thanks to account switching, Megan may now quickly move between her Orchard Home and Auli accounts in the same browser.
Avi uses his personal account to organize a family vacation, but he also has to send emails from his professional account. Avi had to log out of one account before entering the other. Thanks to account switching, he may now effortlessly move between his personal and professional accounts to complete his responsibilities.
How to switch between accounts in Microsoft Edge
Step 1: Open Outlook.Office.com or any other Microsoft 365 web program, and then click the account management link in the upper right corner.
Step 2: You may create a new account or change to an already signed-in account in the browser. After a successful add or switch, the page will reload with material from the new account in the same browser tab.
One account can be added to a Microsoft 365 online app numerous times, but only one account can be used in that app at a time. If users end up with two or more browser app tabs with distinct accounts, they will receive a notification to refresh the tabs with inactive accounts.
Please be aware that switching accounts does not mean transferring account or email information from one account to another; rather, it just makes it simpler for users to work with multiple accounts in the Microsoft 365 web apps by eliminating the need to remember multiple passwords or to sign out and sign back in. Microsoft and its customers place a high value on security and privacy, and this functionality upholds data integrity and privacy across various account and organizational boundaries. In other words, each account will continue to only be able to access the information to which they have been granted access.
Does this functionality mitigate an organization's data loss?
With this functionality, Microsoft is assisting customers in navigating the Microsoft 365 web apps when attempting to interact with multiple accounts. Microsoft and its customers place a high value on security and privacy, and this functionality upholds data integrity and privacy across various account and organizational boundaries. In other words, each account will continue to only be able to access the information to which they have been granted access. If a DLP policy is in effect, the user might be unable to copy material since all DLP policies are still limited.
Which Microsoft apps are eligible for the service rollout?
This feature will be available in the global environments of Office.com, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook on the web, OneDrive for the web, SharePoint, and Microsoft 365 admin center.
As an administrator, you should know that switching between any signed-in MSA and Azure AD accounts in a user's browser will be possible in Microsoft 365 web apps.
Note: This capability is additive, thus existing Account Manager user actions like "Sign out" will continue to function similarly.
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