If you are seeing a message that your Tarleton email address is used with more than one account while logging into a Microsoft product, then you may have an overlapping account. This could prevent access to Office apps or OneDrive under your Tarleton account. This guide will help you to identify and correct this issue.
Identifying an Overlapping Microsoft Account
An overlapping Microsoft account is where your Tarleton email address has been used to create a personal Microsoft account, in addition to your Tarleton issued Microsoft account. Your Tarleton email address should only be associated with your Tarleton Microsoft account. You will see a warning message such as this when logging into Microsoft Office apps on your computer.
With an overlapping account, the Microsoft apps can become confused as to which licensing to use: your work account which provides full access to Microsoft 365 services, or your personal account which is usually a free account with limited access. This can result in Office apps such as Word not allowing you to edit documents. Or OneDrive not showing your work files.
If you are seeing a warning message such as the one above, you will need to remove your Tarleton email address from your personal Microsoft account to correct the issue.
Change the Email Address of Your Personal Microsoft Account
In a web browser, go to https://login.live.com
- If you are already logged in, then log out and log back in.
- Alternatively, you can use a private window/incognito mode to log in without needing to log out.
Enter your Tarleton email address for the login.
When prompted, select personal account.
Enter your password or follow the instructions to continue the log in process.
- The password may or may not be your Tarleton password. It will be the password you set up when the personal account was created.
- If the personal account is associated with your Microsoft Authenticator, then you may be able to use that instead of a password.
- If necessary, reset your personal account password in order to gain access.
Once you are logged in, check to see if the current account is free or licensed.
- Look under Subscriptions.
- If it shows Microsoft 365 Basic, then you are on a free personal account
Once confirmed you are currently logged into a personal account, you'll need to disassociate your Tarleton email address from the personal account. This will not affect subscriptions or data tied to your personal Microsoft account.
Click on the Your Info icon (stick figure).
In the Account Info box, click on Edit Account Info.
Click on Add Email.
Enter a personal email address available to you.
The added email address will now be listed. Click on the Verify link next to it.
Access the email account you added and open the verification email from Microsoft. Follow the instructions in the email.
Once verified, you'll be sent back to the Microsoft account management page. Click Make Primary next to your recently added personal email.
Finally, click Remove on the Tarleton email address. After that, the Tarleton email should not appear under the profile.
Log out.
Log back in, this time using your Tarleton email address and Tarleton password. It should log in normally.
Update Login for Your Microsoft Office Apps
Open the Microsoft Office app you were having problems with. If prompted to log in, then do so with your Tarleton email address and password.
If not prompted to log in, and you still cannot use the app, click on Home. And then click on your account and Sign Out.
Sign back into the app, using your Tarleton email address and password. Check the app again.
If you continue to have issues, please contact the ITS Service Desk at 254-968-9885.