Signing into the Outlook Desktop App

Summary

Learn how to sign in to the Microsoft Outlook Desktop App for Windows and macOS using your Minnesota State Microsoft login.

Information Applies to

Faculty, Staff, Current Students, New Students

Email Address vs. Microsoft Login

Your Winona State email address is not the same as your Microsoft login.

Email Address Formats:

• Employees:
  • firstname.lastname@winona.edu (e.g., jane.jones@winona.edu)
  • first initial last name@winona.edu (e.g., jjones@winona.edu) - employees hired before 2017
• Students:
  • firstname.lastname@go.winona.edu (e.g., jane.jones@go.winona.edu)
  • first initial last name followed by a two digit number (e.g., jjones16@winona.edu) - students admitted before 2017.
• If more than one person has the same name, a number may be included in an email address (e.g., jane.jones.2@winona.edu or jane.jone.2@go.winona.edu).
• Your email address is not used as the username to access your email. You use your Microsoft login to access your email.

Microsoft Login (Used to Sign In):

You use your Microsoft login—also called your MinnState login—to access Outlook and Microsoft 365 applications.

• Employees: StarID@minnstate.edu (e.g., ab1234cd@minnstate.edu)
• Students: StarID@go.minnstate.edu (e.g., ab1234cd@go.minnstate.edu)

Windows Desktop App

Winona State Tech Support recommends the Outlook (Classic) version for Windows. 

1. Search your computer for Outlook or Outlook (Classic) and open the app.

2. Outlook may automatically populate an email address. If not, enter your email address, then select Connect.

3. When prompted to sign in, replace the email address with your Microsoft login:

• Employees: StarID@minnstate.edu
• Students: StarID@go.minnstate.edu

4. Enter your StarID password and select Sign In.
5. Complete Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) when prompted.

6. At the Accounts successfully added screen:,

• Uncheck "Set up Outlook Mobile on my phone, too"
• Select Done. 

macOS - Outlook Desktop App

If you are not signed in to other Microsoft desktop apps

1. Open Outlook
2. Enter your Microsoft login:

• Employees: StarID@minnstate.edu
• Students: StarID@go.minnstate.edu

3. Select Continue.

4. Enter your StarID password and complete MFA.

5. Continue through the Add another account / Personalize screens as desired. 

If you are signed in to other Microsoft desktop apps

1. Open Outlook.
2. Select the blue Add button (for example: Add ab1234cd@minnstate.edu or Add ab1234cd@go.minnstate.edu).

3. Continue through the Add another account / Personalize screens as desired.

4. When prompted about Focus notifications, choose Allow or Don’t Allow.

Related Articles

Winona State Email

Microsoft 365 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Learn More

Report an issue with Outlook

Need additional information or assistance?

Contact WSU Tech Support by email or call 507.457.5240, option 1.

Contact WSU TLT by email, phone (507.457.5240, option 3), or Zoom.

Need additional information or assistance?

Visit the Digital Learning Commons in Library 105.