Adding MS account to domain joined windows 10 computer to ease transition to new Windows 11 unit.

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Adding MS account to domain joined windows 10 computer to ease transition to new Windows 11 unit.

Greg Bradley 0

I need to upgrade a number of users from Windows 10 units to new Windows 11 units. Existing units mostly don't support Win 11. The users are joined to a local Active Directory Domain. Many of these users now have a MS account since they are running Office 365. I was thinking it might be easier to change the windows 10 to a MS account but want to be sure that doesn't affect operation of the unit. I want them to continue to operate and backup the settings, then setup the new Win11 units under that MS account and restore the settings. Am I missing something? Is there a better way? All of them will need a MS account with new Win11 units anyway.

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Answer 1

Hello Greg Bradley

Because your existing Windows 10 devices are joined to a local Active Directory domain, so I would not recommend switching them to Microsoft accounts directly, it could disrupt domain-based policies, authentication, and management. Instead, the best practice is to continue managing the Windows 10 units under Active Directory until you transition to the new Windows 11 hardware. For the migration, you can use tools such as User State Migration Tool (USMT) or third-party solutions to back up and transfer user profiles, settings, and data. Once the new Windows 11 units are deployed, you can join them to the domain and also connect Microsoft accounts for Office 365 services as needed. This approach ensures continuity of domain operations while still enabling Microsoft account integration for cloud services.

If this guidance helps clarify your upgrade path, please don’t forget to hit “Accept Answer” 🙂

Harry.

Answer 2

Changing a Windows 10 device from a local Active Directory account to a Microsoft account can facilitate the transition to Windows 11, especially if users already have Microsoft accounts due to Office 365. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

Account Type: When you switch to a Microsoft account, the device will no longer be domain-joined. This could affect access to resources that require domain authentication. Ensure that users can still access necessary applications and files.
Backup and Settings: Transitioning to a Microsoft account allows for settings and configurations to be backed up to the cloud, which can be beneficial when setting up new Windows 11 units. Users can restore their settings on the new devices using the same Microsoft account.
User Experience: Users may notice differences in how they log in and access certain features. Familiarize them with the Microsoft account login process and any changes in functionality.
Windows 11 Setup: When setting up the new Windows 11 units, users will need to sign in with their Microsoft accounts, which will allow them to restore their settings and preferences easily.
Testing: Before making the switch for all users, consider testing the process with a small group to identify any potential issues that may arise during the transition.

In summary, transitioning to a Microsoft account can ease the upgrade process to Windows 11, but it’s essential to consider the implications on domain access and user experience. It may be worthwhile to explore other options such as using Windows Backup for Organizations to streamline the transition further.

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Adding MS account to domain joined windows 10 computer to ease transition to new Windows 11 unit.

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