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Microsoft 365 - Getting Started with Linking Accounts

This document intends to explain the what, why, and how of the account linking process.


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:

  • Full Mailbox Permissions, which allows the NetID to interact with the service account data

  • Send As Permissions, which allows the NetID to send messages as the Service Account email address

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • There is no need to remember and manage multiple credentials to access email.

  • 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.

  • 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:

  1. Log in to the Wisc Account Administration site with your NetID credentials.

  2. 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.