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First Time User Account Activation

Welcome to Arkansas State University!

Now that you have received your welcome letter with your A-State email address, you can activate your account by setting the password and completing the setup of Microsoft Authenticator.

Password Setup

First, let's get your password setup.

You will need both a computer/tablet and a mobile phone for this process

  • From a web browser, visit www.outlook.com and select Sign in.
    First time user step 1.png
  • On the sign in page, enter your A State email address.
    First time user step 2.png
  • On the password screen, select Forgot my password.
    First time user step 3.png

  • Enter your full A-State email address and verify the characters that are shown in the captcha and then click Next.
    enteremailaddress.png

  • On the verification page, your personal email address on file with A-State has been setup as your alternate email address. Click on Email to have a verification code sent to your personal email address. You can change this address after activating your account.
    verification.png
  • Enter the verification code that you received and select Next.
    verification-2.png
  • Enter your new password, confirm it and select Finish.
    newpassword.png

    The A-State password requirements must contain:
    • At least 15 characters and one capital letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character
    • It also must NOT contain any part of your name or anything too closely related to A-State
    • It can also be set up as a passphrase


  • Once your password is set, you can sign in and start using your account. Select the click here link to sign in.
    finish.png
  • Enter your A-State email address and select Next.
    step1.png
  • Enter the password for your A-State account and select Sign in.
    step2.png

Please keep your password secure, A-State will never ask you for your password

Microsoft Authenticator
  • After signing in with your password, you will be prompted to set up Microsoft Authenticator 
    • On the "Let's keep your account secure" screen, click Next
    • Secure Account - Outlook.png
  •  
    • Download the Microsoft Authenticator app to your phone by either scanning the QR code below or by going to the App Store (iPhone/iOS) or the Play Store (Android)

MS_Authenticator_QR.png

aka.ms/mobileauthenticator

      • After you download the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone click Next on the computer

MS Authenticator Download Screen.png

    • Open the app and make sure you allow notifications on your phone and then click Next on the computer

Notification - MS.png

    • A unique QR code will generate on the next screen
      • Be sure to scan the code by using the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone                           (select Scan QR code)

     MS-Auth_QR-Example.png          Mobile - Auth.png

    • Once you scan the QR code, click Next on the computer
    • Microsoft will then generate a random number on the computer, go to your the Authenticator app and enter the number you see on screen

Auth - Number Example.png

    • After you enter the number in the app, your A-State account will be successfully linked to your Microsoft Authenticator app, Click Done

Auth - Added.png

    • The next page will show you have successfully added Microsoft Authenticator as a verification method, along with your personal email. Click Done and continue to your Outlook inbox

Setup Complete - MS.png

  • You have now completed the setup for your A-State user account and finished securing your account with the Microsoft Authenticator.
OPTIONAL
  • If you are not redirected back to the Microsoft portal or you receive an error message when you are redirected, just close your web browser and reopen it. Then go to myaccount.microsoft.com and sign in. You will not have to repeat the setup process.
  • Once you have completed the sign in process, if you are not prompted to setup the Microsoft Authenticator, select My Account and then Security Info
    Outlook Account Screen.png
  • Then you should be prompted to set up the Microsoft Authenticator. If not, The Security info page will show all the authentication methods currently configured for your account. From here, you can change or delete existing methods or add new ones. 

    To change an existing method, select the Change option next to the method you would like to change. Selecting Delete will remove it from your account.
    step4.png
  • To add new methods to your account, select the Add sign-in methods.
    add_an_atuh_method.png
  • Select Microsoft Authenticator and follow the prompts to complete the setup. (Phone is no longer an authentication method)
    select_auth_method.png

For further assistance, contact the ITS Help Desk at 870-972-3933 or stop by IT Support Services (itsupportservices@astate.edu). It is located on the bottom floor of the Dean B. Ellis Library, Room 149

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