Message says "The Microsoft account doesn't exist. Enter a different account or get a new one."

S. Lenear 111 Reputation points
2021-04-07T23:57:25.717+00:00

I am trying to sign in to a new computer using my Microsoft account. I know the account is valid because it is the same one I am using in this forum. But, I get a message saying "The Microsoft account doesn't exist. Enter a different account or get a new one." What do I do?

By the way, I have no idea what I'm supposed to enter in the "Tags" field below. There is nothing that tells me what types of things I can enter. That is frustrating because the field is required.

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Devices and deployment | Configure application groups

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  1. Dan Spurgeon 6 Reputation points
    2022-06-06T13:40:28.877+00:00

    I downloaded the Edge browser and I was able to log in immediately when signing in to it. I had been trying to sign in through Chrome prior. Hope this helps others!

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    1 person found this answer helpful.
  2. Lightyr 26 Reputation points
    2022-06-08T02:59:15.243+00:00

    I am beyond frustrated that we are unable to gain access to the Microsoft account. I paid for software and games that were purchased under this account name over the past few months and they can no longer be accessed. And you can't get ahold of a real person at Microsoft for help! Where is my refund for the software I have purchased through the account that apparently does not exist and for which I am being denied access?

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    10+ people found this answer helpful.
  3. Ryan Lee 11 Reputation points
    2022-06-08T08:29:02.023+00:00

    The trick with setting up a new workstation with a local account is to not connect your device to the internet
    Then you get the option to create a local account

    If you have already connected the device to the internet, you need to refresh the OS to get you back before the network connection screen. That being if you are connecting with WiFi, also make sure you have disconnected your network cable. The machine needs to be isolated before you get the option to create a local account.

    You can then still add your Microsoft account/services and remain a local admin.

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    1 person found this answer helpful.
  4. Balazs Varhegyi 61 Reputation points
    2022-06-11T07:45:44.787+00:00

    I have the same problem, it very very annoying! Microsoft needs to provide a better error message and help people to fix this.

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    20+ people found this answer helpful.
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  5. DaveyMG 11 Reputation points
    2022-06-14T00:04:11.553+00:00

    This is madness, I enter an email address and the setup says that the account does not exist, so I click on "create a new one" which takes me to the create account screen with the email address pre populated where it then says that the account already exists and I should use it to log in !! Madness.

    Anyway, the shortcut to making a local login is to use Shift-F10 to get to the command prompt and there issue an ipconfig /release which will disconnect the device from the network. Then when you go back to the MS login screen and hit the back arrow it goes to the local account creation screen.

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    2 people found this answer helpful.

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