Why doesn't my new PC appear in my Microsoft account under "Devices"

I’m replacing a Dell Optiplex running Win10 with a Windows 11 Lenovo M90s Gen6. They're both Desktops. I used media creation tool to do a clean reinstall on the Lenovo. I’m logging in to the Lenovo with a Microsoft account. On the Lenovo under Settings->Account->Linked Devices both the Dell and new Lenovo are listed. But when I look at my Microsoft account under Account->Devices only the Dellappears. On the Microsoft Account, I tried clicking Register Device and entered the serial number but it returns Not Recognized.

Also, when trying to to use Register Device, pop-ups only seem to mention Microsoft devices (Surface, Surface Pen and Xbox). Is Register Device not for other PCs? Why do all PCs appear on the Lenovo under Settings but only the old Dell appear in my Microsoft account?


Footnote: I don’t know if relevant but will add - I actually have two old Windows 10 PCs (Optilex 360 and an Optiplex 7040) Replacing the 360 with Lenovo. On the new Lenovo, all three appear under Account->Devices but only the 7040 appears in my Microsoft Account. Just seemed less confusing to talk about two above :) TIA

This is a known issue on Reddit, there are several threads. Some have contacted Microsoft and Microsoft knows the problem.
I also have this problem.



"SunActual3io•28 days ago
I'm still having this issue months later. I spent an hour live chatting with a "senior" Microsoft tech and they basically told me the problem is known by Microsoft and they will have it fixed in 24hrs (laughable) I doubt this will get fixed any time soon and I have horrible issues with windows even after a fresh install becusse of those old devices syncing. I think I'm just going to use a local account on my PC."

itsme1 said:

This is a known issue on Reddit, there are several threads. Some have contacted Microsoft and Microsoft knows the problem.
I also have this problem.

https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsHelp/comments/1kx87qn/my_windows_11_computer_doesnt_show_up_in_my

"SunActual3io•28 days ago
I'm still having this issue months later. I spent an hour live chatting with a "senior" Microsoft tech and they basically told me the problem is known by Microsoft and they will have it fixed in 24hrs (laughable) I doubt this will get fixed any time soon and I have horrible issues with windows even after a fresh install becusse of those old devices syncing. I think I'm just going to use a local account on my PC."

Click to expand...

Thanks. If misery loves company, apparently I have lots of company!

Issue here are well after PC Reset choosing Remove all Files - Clean Drive - Windows Cloud Reinstall, set up new, not previous backup.

MidwestGeek said:

lso, when trying to to use Register Device, pop-ups only seem to mention Microsoft devices (Surface, Surface Pen and Xbox). Is Register Device not for other PCs? Why do all PCs appear on the Lenovo under Settings but only the old Dell appear in my Microsoft account?

Click to expand...

You can only register a MS device that way from the Microsoft site. For non MS devices its supposed to work this way;

For Windows PCs (Non-Microsoft Brand):

1. On the new PC, go to Start > Settings > Accounts.
2. Select Your info and choose Sign in with a Microsoft account instead, or simply sign into any Office app (like Word) with your MS account.
3. Follow the prompts to sign in with your existing Microsoft account.
4. The device will then appear in your Microsoft account's device list at account.microsoft.com/devices.
   
   
   

since i did a clean install of Windows 11 25H2 on my computer and my wife's computer
both of them do not show up in our Microsoft accounts
both systems are setup as local admin accounts but with Microsoft sign in set up.

both accounts show no devices registered but everything else for both these accounts work.
best of luck Steve ..

This problem didn't happen for me when running 23H2. After I thought of trying out the new build (25H2), the device stopped appearing in my Microsoft account.

I hope they fix it soon.

The Last Potato said:

This problem didn't happen for me when running 23H2. After I thought of trying out the new build (25H2), the device stopped appearing in my Microsoft account.

I hope they fix it soon.

Click to expand...

The only option I've found is to create a new Microsoft Account and the device will appear under Devices but you won't be able to use Find My Device. The laptop will appear in Windows Settings - Linked Devices if a user account is created and logged into Windows. But the Find My Device cannot be selected. Logging into laptop as a local account does not resolve the issue as it requires to log into a MS Account to view Devices and that will again show Device Not Registered. I'm wondering if I reset using HP Cloud Recovery or HP Sure Recover instead of using the Windows built-in Recovery tool for that to resolve the issue. Maybe the HP method will bring it back to HP factory settings and revert the laptop to brand new where MS will think it's a new setup like it was originially out of box? I would try but don't really want to spend a day reconfiguing the setup and customizations just so that I can see my laptop in my MS Account.

CKavanagh said:

the device will appear under Devices

Click to expand...

Over the last few months, lots of people have reported that non-MS devices no longer appear in their MSAccounts.
So it's might not will.

CKavanagh said:

I would try but don't really want to spend a day reconfiguing the setup and customizations

Click to expand...

I agree. It might all turn out to be wasted effort.


All the best,
Denis

To expand on my first comment, the people on Reddit who contacted Microsoft were told that the problem was on Microsoft's server side and not on the users' devices/Windows side.

I also saw a comment stating that with a new Microsoft account, the device appeared on the Microsoft account webpage.

When I got my HP laptop 2 weeks ago, my laptop showed in my MS Account - Devices and in Windows Settings - Linked Devices, I was also able to use the Find My Device feature.

I reset my laptop last week (HP Insight uninstall and Bloatware issues so I thought just do reset - Windows Recovery remove all files, clean drive, cloud install) and now my device is no longer in my MS Account - Devices under my MS Account, only listed in Windows Settings - linked Devices where there also 2 laptops I no longer own that have been wiped that still appearing, I select remove and get a Trace Error.

Under my primary MS Account/Windows login, the MS Store Device Management shows 2 laptop icons with no laptop names and unable to Unlink.
Under my secondary MS Account/Windows login, the MS Store Device Management shows the correct laptop named and able to Unlink.

If I also create a User Account in Windows the laptop will display in that persons MS Account and Windows Settings, but Find My Device will show Location Disabled and option in windows settings will be greyed out. The MS Account that is Admin (the primary MS Account on the laptop needs to enable it), but that account says device not registered no cannot use find my device!

Not sure if I reset laptop again and create another new MS Account will resolve the issue but that would mean a new Outlook email aswell.

My MS Account:



My Windows Account:




MS Account added under my MS Account in Windows - Accounts:
*has to be a MS Account connected to a current MS Account, if not added to MS Account the device will show as not registered.

You're not alone, and Microsoft is aware of the problem.

It probably won't work.

Yes, you have to create a new Outlook address, that's not really a solution.

If it were me, I'd wait a while longer while keeping an eye on the problem through internet searches.

itsme1 said:

You're not alone, and Microsoft is aware of the problem.

It probably won't work.

Yes, you have to create a new Outlook address, that's not really a solution.

If it were me, I'd wait a while longer while keeping an eye on the problem through internet searches.

Click to expand...

It's not an issue affecting the laptop itself, everything works great once I figured out some HP apps can't be uninstalled - HP Insights kept reinstalling minutes after I selected ininstall and would start running eventhough I stopped it in services and disabled in task scheduler. Plus theHP Insights icon was in the system tray with no option to remove it with an enrollment prompt that said unable to enroll. So I thought just reset and start new like it was when I first got the laptop and just leave HP software alone - HP Insights, HP Touchpoint and HP One Agent is still on laptop and ruinning but I'm no longer attempting to remove them. Probably need as it a HP AI PC. All is fine now but sadly now my laptop not on my MS Account - Devices as my login but will appear with a new login, and is displayed in Windows Settings - Linked Devices, but can use Find My Device.

I don't belleive this will be fixed. My old laptop was reset early last year and it never again showed in my MS Account - Devices. But that old laptop and one other now wiped and displosed of still show in my Windows Account - Linked Devices, trace error when try to remove.

This problem has been around for about a year, according to the start dates of the two Reddit threads I saw.

A clean install should resolve the issues with HP applications that can't be uninstalled. If you do it, try a new Outlook email address while you're at it.

This will help keep your device showing in your microsoft account.

Computer name and original admin user name, must be the same. So system name/user name the same. First name is my choice.

Do not uninstall CoPilot, just cripple turning it off running in the background if you dislike it. Group policy to turn off CoPilot another useless non functioning line item...ya sad.

Applies to local account and live. Cheers

waynemark said:

Computer name and original admin user name, must be the same. So system name/user name the same.

Click to expand...

Factually incorrect. That has nothing to do with anything. My admin (account) name has never been the same name as my computer name on any of my computers, ever. I’ve not faced this issue until recently reading the issue from other members. I believe it to be Microsoft server side as apposed to anything else.

antspants said:

Factually incorrect. That has nothing to do with anything. My admin (account) name has never been the same name as my computer name on any of my computers, ever. I’ve not faced this issue until recently reading the issue from other members. I believe it to be Microsoft server side as apposed to anything else.

Click to expand...

I'm with you. Whatever name gets assigned to my computers is the name that it remains as.

One trigger has been a BIOS update - a PC that had been visible in the account page for ages disappeared, though sometimes the device count includes it. A new-build PC did appear OK as soon as signed in - no need to register.

There's no particular problem though, as long as the device is activated and shows in settings -> accounts -> linked devices - although it's worth checking here too as sometimes the OS build number can be out of date for the device that's missing online - suggesting some lack of updating of data.

Microsoft has fixed the problem. My computers appear in my online Microsoft account and in the store section, where you can't have more than 10 computers, to remove them.