How to Navigate the Microsoft 365 Admin Center
The complexity of managing IT infrastructure can often seem overwhelming, especially with limited resources. This simply walkthrough of the Microsoft 365 admin center will help you navigate administrative tasks for your nonprofit organization.
Accessing the Admin Center
Step 1: Log In
- Open your web browser.
- Go to admin.microsoft.com.
- If you have the appropriate permissions, you will see the Admin button which can be viewed on the left side panel or in the App Launcher.
- Enter your admin credentials (username and password).
- Click Sign in.
Step 2: Home Page Overview
After logging in, you’ll land on the Home page. The home page provides a summary of your organization, including any common tasks typical to most organizations. At the top of the navigation, find actions like adding users, resetting passwords, or adding user groups.
Step 3: Navigation Pane
The left-hand navigation pane gives you access to all admin features. Key sections include:
- Users
- Groups
- Devices
- Billing
- Settings
Managing Users
Step 4: Adding New Users
- To add users go to Users > Active users.
- Click Add a user.
- Fill in the required information (name, email, etc.).
- Assign product licenses.
- Set up sign-in security options.
- Click Add to create the user.
Step 5: Managing Existing Users
To manage your current users navigate to Users > Active users <\strong>, where you can see a list of all users. Click on a user to view and edit their details. Options include:
- Resetting passwords
- Managing licenses
- Editing user information
Managing Groups
Step 6: Creating and Managing Groups
- Navigate to Groups > Active groups.<\strong>
- Click Add a group.
- Choose the group type (e.g., Office 365, Security).
- Enter the group name and description.
- Add members to the group.
- Click Create to finalize the group.
Managing Devices
Step 7: Managing Devices
- Go to Devices > Manage. <\strong>
- View a list of all devices connected to your organization.
- Click on a device to view details and manage settings. Options include:
- Adding new devices
- Enforcing security policies
- Managing device settings
Billing and Subscriptions
Step 8: Managing Licenses
- Navigate to Billing > Licenses <\strong> to manage your licenses.
- View a list of all licenses assigned to your organization.
- Assign, remove, or reassign licenses as needed.
Step 9: Billing Information
- Go to Billing > Bills & payments <\strong> to modify payment methods.
- View your billing history.
- Manage payment methods.
- Set up billing alerts and notifications.
Additional Admin Center View
Step 10: Dashboard View
Once back on the Home page, you have the ability to change your view from simplified to a dashboard view. This view allows you to customize the home page by adding, removing, or rearranging task cards:
- Click Customize <\strong> in the top right corner.
- Drag and drop cards to rearrange them.
- Click the X on a card to remove it.
Configuring Settings
Step 11: Organization Settings
For additional settings applicable to the entire org, navigate to Settings > Org settings. <\strong> Configure organization-wide settings, including:
- Security settings
- Email settings
- Compliance policies
Step 12: Security and Compliance
To view security items within the admin center go to Security & compliance. <\strong> Here you will have the ability to: Manage data protection and compliance features, Set up data loss prevention (DLP) policies, and Manage eDiscovery and configure audit logs.
Getting Help and Support
Step 13: Accessing Help
- Use the Help & support section to find answers to common questions.
- Open service requests and track their status.
Step 14: Learning Resources
- Access training materials and tutorials to get the most out of Microsoft 365.
- Join the Microsoft 365 community or the Microsoft Nonprofit Community Hub for additional support and networking.
Conclusion
By following this guide, you can effectively navigate and utilize the Microsoft 365 admin center to manage your organization’s Microsoft 365 environment. For more detailed instructions, refer to the official Microsoft documentation and support resources.
