---
title: Accounts Block Microsoft accounts (Windows 10)
description: Describes the best practices, location, values, management, and security considerations for the Accounts Block Microsoft accounts security policy setting.
ms.assetid: 94c76f45-057c-4d80-8d01-033cf28ef2f7
ms.prod: w10
ms.mktglfcycl: deploy
ms.sitesec: library
ms.pagetype: security
author: brianlic-msft
ms.date: 08/10/2017
---

# Accounts: Block Microsoft accounts

**Applies to**
-   Windows 10

Describes the best practices, location, values, management, and security considerations for the **Accounts: Block Microsoft accounts** security policy setting.

## Reference

This setting prevents using the **Settings** app to add a Microsoft account for single sign-on (SSO) authentication for Microsoft services and some background services, or using a Microsoft account for single sign-on to other applications or services. 

There are two options if this setting is enabled:

- **Users can’t add Microsoft accounts** means that existing connected accounts can still sign in to the device (and appear on the Sign in screen). However, users cannot use the **Settings** app to add new connected accounts (or connect local accounts to Microsoft accounts).

- **Users can’t add or log on with Microsoft accounts** means that users cannot add new connected accounts (or connect local accounts to Microsoft accounts) or use existing connected accounts through **Settings**.

If you disable or do not configure this policy (recommended), users will be able to use Microsoft accounts with Windows.

### Possible values
-   This policy is disabled
-   Users can’t add Microsoft accounts
-   Users can’t add or log on with Microsoft accounts

By default, this setting is not defined on domain controllers and disabled on stand-alone servers.

### Best practices

-   By disabling or not configuring this policy setting on the client computer, users will be able to use their Microsoft account, local account, or domain account for their sign-in session to Windows. It also enables the user to connect a local or domain account to a Microsoft account. This provides a convenient option for your users.
-   If you need to limit the use of Microsoft accounts in your organization, click the **Users can’t add Microsoft accounts** setting option so that users will not be able to use the **Settings** app to add new connected accounts.

### Location

Computer Configuration\\Windows Settings\\Security Settings\\Local Policies\\Security Options

### Default values

The following table lists the actual and effective default values for this policy. Default values are also listed on the policy’s property page.

| Server type or GPO | Default value |
| - | - |
| Default Domain Policy | Not defined |
| Default Domain Controller Policy | Not defined |
| Stand-Alone Server Default Settings | Disabled |
| DC Effective Default Settings | Disabled |
| Member Server Effective Default Settings | Disabled |
| Client Computer Effective Default Settings | Disabled |
 
## Policy management

This section describes features and tools that are available to help you manage this policy.

### Restart requirement

None. Changes to this policy become effective without a device restart when they are saved locally or distributed through Group Policy.

## Security considerations

This section describes how an attacker might exploit a feature or its configuration, how to implement the countermeasure, and the possible negative consequences of the countermeasure implementation.

### Vulnerability

Although Microsoft accounts are password-protected, they also have the potential of greater exposure outside of the enterprise. Additionally, if the owner of a Microsoft account is not easily distinguishable, auditing and forensics become more difficult.

### Countermeasure

Require only domain accounts in your enterprise by limiting the use of Microsoft accounts. Click the **Users can’t add Microsoft accounts** setting option so that users will not be able to create new Microsoft accounts on a device, switch a local account to a Microsoft account, or connect a domain account to a Microsoft account.

### Potential impact

Establishing greater control over accounts in your organization can give you more secure management capabilities, including procedures around password resets.

## Related topics

[Security Options](security-options.md)