University IT
Transitioning to a New Login for Microsoft
Modernizing your login experience
The university is rolling out a modern, more secure login to better protect your Microsoft account and the valuable university data you work with. It will also make it easier and safer to work with colleagues across the entire Stanford community, including those at Stanford's hospitals.
Once you set up the new Microsoft login, you'll be prompted to use it whenever you sign into Stanford Microsoft services, including email if you use Microsoft email for your university email account.
For everything else—like Google, Zoom, Slack, and the Cisco VPN—your login will not change. You'll sign in just like you always have.
| Applications and sites transitioning to the new Stanford Microsoft authentication include: | Stanford authentication remains unchanged for non-Microsoft applications and sites, including: |
|---|---|
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At-a-glance: Microsoft login vs. Stanford login
To set up the new process, you'll need to install the Microsoft Authenticator app. It will work alongside your Duo app, but doesn't replace it. You'll continue to use Duo for other Stanford logins that require two-step authentication.
You'll notice a few other changes when you use the updated login. Here's a quick look at how your new Microsoft log in experience with Authenticator will look compared to the Stanford log in experience with Duo.
| Feature | For Stanford Microsoft apps | For other Stanford apps and web sites |
|---|---|---|
| Login screen | Stanford Microsoft login screen
| Stanford login screen
|
| Username | SUNetID@stanford.edu | SUNet ID |
| Passwordless login |  Supported by Microsoft Authenticator |  Supported by Cardinal Key |
| Two-step authentication | Using Microsoft Authenticator What you see on your computer
What you see on your mobile device
| Using Duo What you see on your computer
What you see on your mobile device
|
| Single sign-on | Log in once with the Microsoft login to access multiple Microsoft applications throughout the day | Log in once with the Stanford login to access multiple websites and applications throughout the day |
Ready to get started? Set up your Microsoft login
Getting started is simple. Before you log in for the first time, you'll do a quick, one-time setup of the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device.
Check back soon. Step-by-step instructions will be posted here in the coming months.
Information and support
To ensure a smooth transition, this update will be rolled out across campus in phases.
- Summer 2026School of Medicine
- TBDOther schools and units
Get help
If you need assistance, please submit a Help request.
Frequently asked questions
Who will use the new Microsoft login?
This update is being rolled out to all Stanford faculty, staff, and students.
How will I know when I need to set up the new Microsoft login?
When it's time for you to transition to the new login, you'll receive an email with detailed instructions and support resources.
Which apps or websites does the new login experience pertain to?
You'll use the new login for all cloud-based Stanford Microsoft 365 apps, including:
- Productivity and collaboration apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Teams, Forms)
- Stanford email and calendar if you use M365 Outlook, inluding Outlook desktop, Outlook mobile, and Outlook on the web (webmail.stanford.edu and webcal.stanford.edu)
- Cloud services (Azure, Power BI)
- AI and creative tools (Copilot)
- Windows apps and development tools (Edge, Github)
- Security and management (Intune, Entra ID)
The new login will also be used for other applications or websites configured to use Stanford Microsoft authentication.
Do I have to log into each Microsoft app separately?
No. Once you sign in to your Microsoft account, you'll have access to other Microsoft services like Teams and OneDrive for your entire session. This single sign-in experience is specific to Microsoft apps.
Can I use Microsoft Authenticator for non-Microsoft accounts?
The university is adopting Microsoft Authenticator specifically for Microsoft logins. It will work alongside your Duo app, which you will continue to use for other Stanford services, like Slack, Zoom, and Google Drive.
Will I still use Duo?
Yes, for applications and sites that do not use Stanford Microsoft authentication, you'll continue to log in and authenticate the way you do today, using the Duo app for multifactor authentication.
