All about accounts

The first time you use your Surface, you create a user account during setup. A user account is a collection of settings that you use to interact with your Surface and personalize Windows to work the way you want. When you want to use your Surface, you sign in with your account.

What is a Microsoft account?

A Microsoft account—an email address and password—is a new way to sign in to any PC running Windows 8 or Windows RT. When you sign in with a Microsoft account, your PC is connected to the cloud, and many of the settings, preferences, and apps associated with your account can "follow" you between different PCs. Find out how to create a Microsoft account.

Benefits of using a Microsoft account

When you sign in with a Microsoft account, your Surface is connected to the cloud and:

• Your friends’ contact info and status stay up to date from your Outlook, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other accounts.
• You can get to and share your photos, documents, and other files from places like SkyDrive, Facebook, and Flickr.
• Your personal settings are synced to any PC running Windows 8 that you sign in to. Your settings include your color scheme, browser favorites, and apps.
• You can buy and download apps from the Windows Store and use them on up to five PCs running Windows 8 or Windows RT.

A Microsoft account makes it easy to purchase apps, music, videos, and games for your Surface. If you have questions about adding or changing a payment option from your Microsoft account, see Add or edit your payment method for the Windows Store.

If you're not using a Microsoft account, that's okay—you can set up a Microsoft account at any time. For more info, see Microsoft account.

What type of account do I have?

To see what type of account you're using:

1. Open the Settings charm, tap or click Change PC settings.
2. Tap or click Users.
   Info about your account appears under your name:

• If an email address appears, then you’re using a Microsoft account.
• If Local account appears, your account is just on your Surface (not connected to the cloud). To switch to a Microsoft account, tap or click Connect your Microsoft account.
• If a network domain appears (domain name\username), then you’re using a domain account, such as an account for your workplace. To connect your Microsoft account to your domain account, tap or click Connect your Microsoft account. For more info, see Connect your Microsoft account to your domain account.

Note  You can't join or sign into a network domain using Surface RT.

What can I do with an Administrator account?

The user account that you created during setup is an administrator account. This means you can change settings, install apps, and create user accounts as needed. If you share your Surface with other people, you can create separate user accounts for each person. This way they can personalize Windows as they’d like and your files and settings stay private. For more info, see User accounts: Frequently asked questions.

Notes

• Not sure if you’re using an administrator account? See How do I know I’m signed in as an administrator?
• If you want to limit your child's computer time or limit the apps, websites, and games your child can access, see Set up your kids’ accounts in Family Safety.
• If you’ve forgotten your password, see I forgot my password.