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How to register a non-Microsoft device to my Microsoft account

Dick Scheel 0 Reputation points
2025-11-03T01:20:22.4366667+00:00

I have a new Dell desktop running Windows 11 Pro. I am logged in to the PC with my Microsoft account, not a local account. I have been using this Microsoft account for a number of years (maybe 5-10 years), and I have several other Windows PCs that I use with this same Microsoft account. None of these PCs are Microsoft brand - some are Dell, and one is a DIY build. They are a mix of Windows 10 Pro and Windows 11 Pro.

Looking at https://account.microsoft.com/devices, I see my DIY build (Windows 10 Pro) and my Dell laptop (Windows 11 Pro). I don't see my new Dell desktop, even though I have been using it actively for about 2 months & have always been logged in with my same Microsoft account.

When I try using the "Register device" link at https://account.microsoft.com/devices, it seems like will only register devices built by Microsoft. In the "Help me find my serial number" dropdown I select "Other Devices", but when I submit Dell's Service Tag or Express Service Code the registration process just says it is an unrecognized serial number and has some text that sounds like it only accepts Microsoft product serial numbers. The Dell PC does not appear to have anything labeled "serial number" - just Service Tag and Express Service Code.

Support articles all seem to say that the PC is registered to my Microsoft account when I first log in to the PC using that account. This does not appear to have happened. However, my two older non-Microsoft PCs show up as registered devices on my account.

Is there some other way to register my PC to my Microsoft account?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Accounts, profiles, and login
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  1. Van S 23,765 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-11-03T02:23:03.35+00:00

    Hi, I am Van. I'll be glad to assist you today.

    This is an ongoing issue where devices do not register with the Microsoft account. In some cases, devices will automatically register after several days, while other takes longer.

    I suggest submitting a report via the feedback hub app on your PC so the dev team will be notified about this case.

    You may also try performing one of the methods below; hopefully, this will help solve the issue.

    Method 1: Rename the PC

    1. Open the Start menu and go to Settings.
    2. Select System > About.
    3. In the System Product Name section, click "Rename this PC."
    4. After renaming, restart your computer and sign in with your Microsoft account.

    Method 2: Switch account

    1. Open the start menu and navigate to settings.
    2. Go to Accounts > Your Info.
    3. Under Account Settings, click "Sign in with a local account instead."
    4. Follow the prompts to switch to a local account.
    5. After switching, repeat step 3 but click "Sign in with a Microsoft account instead."
    6. Follow the instructions to add your Microsoft account.

    Method 3:

    1. Sign in to your Microsoft account on any of the Microsoft products or services installed on your device. E.g. Edge, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Store.

    Please feel free to reach out if you require any further assistance. I'm here to help.

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