Microsoft 365 - Getting Started with Linking Accounts
This document intends to explain the what, why, and how of the account linking process.
Linked Account page transition - coming June 12, 2025
The "Linked Accounts" feature is being eliminated because it is redundant. Starting June 12th, 2025, you will no longer be able to link a NetID to a service account. Instead, you will need to use the Office 365 Permissions page to assign the desired mailbox permissions. Note: Linking a NetID to a service account provided both "send as" and full mailbox permissions to that account..
Important: If you were linked to a service account prior to this change, no existing functionality will be lost.
The Linked Accounts page for service accounts will provide links to specific actions instead:
See Microsoft 365 - Manage Full Mailbox, Send As, and Send on Behalf of Permissions for more information regarding service account mailbox permissions.
What are linked accounts?
Linking is the recommended way to provide a NetID with the ability to interact with a Service Account. When a service account is linked to a NetID account, the NetID account will receive:
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Full Mailbox Permissions, which allows the NetID to interact with the service account data
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Send As Permissions, which allows the NetID to send messages as the Service Account email address
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Lists the Service Account when logging in to Office 365 via NetID credentials
Why should I link the service account to a NetID account?
There are many important reasons to link service accounts to your NetID.
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After logging into an application protected by the NetID Login Service, users can access other Login Service protected applications without an additional login. This includes Office 365 and Google Apps.
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There is no need to remember and manage multiple credentials to access email.
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The DoIT Help Desk is then aware of all email addresses associated with a user's NetID, enabling the Help Desk to provide faster and higher quality support.
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Chances are reduced that a user will fall for a phishing attempt by accidentally entering their account credentials into a form presented by a malicious party. Instead of multiple login forms, users will access all of their mail through the secure and familiar login service at https://email.wisc.edu/.
How do I link my accounts?
To manage linking a NetID account and a service account, reference the following article: Microsoft 365 - Linking a service account to a NetID. This action needs to be performed by an email domain administrator or administrator of the service account. Not sure who your administrator is - contact the DoIT HelpDesk.
How do I view which accounts I am linked to?
To view all Service Account accounts that are linked to your NetID account, follow the instructions below:
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Log in to the Wisc Account Administration site with your NetID credentials.
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Within the "Delegated Administration" screen, you should see all the accounts your are linked to under the "Accounts" section. If you don't see a Service Account listed here, you will need to contact the domain administrator for that service account.
How do I use/access my linked service account?
To use/access your linked accounts in the Office 365 system, please refer to: Microsoft 365 - How to Access a Service Account.