With both personal devices and a work device syncing on the same user account, you end up with an unsecured mix of personal and business files. One of the prompts that Microsoft gives during Windows setup is to sync your files with OneDrive so you can access them from other devices (smartphone, tablet, etc.). Personal Files Can Sync and Mix With Business Files If the person is using a business account, you retain control of that account and to the entire Windows environment that’s attached to it. If you’ve allowed an employee to use a personal Microsoft account on their business computer, you could end up losing all that valuable data when they log out and leave the company for good. This could include syncing backup files, browser-stored company passwords, etc. The Windows environment can include several types of files and data that need to be retained after an employee leaves your company. If an Employee Leaves, Their Account Goes With Them What can go wrong if you use a personal Microsoft account on a work computer? Instead, the company should have a business account set up for the user that uses their work credentials, which companies maintain control over. That’s why companies should not allow employees to use a personal Microsoft account when using a business PC. When the line between business and personal gets blurred, it can lead to problems, security risks, and loss of important business data. It’s estimated that once the pandemic has passed, there will still be 25% to 30% of employees working from home multiple days per week.

The pandemic and rise of work-from-home teams have made this even more pronounced. When it comes to account logins, especially those with large overarching platforms like Microsoft, the line can sometimes get blurred between personal and business accounts.

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