Once Host Dada has set up your Microsoft 365 subscription, you sign in to the Microsoft 365 admin centre to manage your users, email and domain. This guide walks you through your first sign-in, setting up the security check Microsoft requires, and finding your way around the admin centre.
Before you start
- Have your admin sign-in details to hand. For a new subscription, our team sends you an admin username and a temporary password. The username usually ends in
.onmicrosoft.com, for exampleadmin@yourbusiness.onmicrosoft.com. If you already had Microsoft 365 before moving it to Host Dada, keep using your existing admin account. - Have your smartphone nearby. You'll install the free Microsoft Authenticator app during sign-in.
- Use a private or guest browser window if you're already signed in to a personal Microsoft account (Outlook.com, Hotmail, Xbox). This avoids mixing up the two accounts.
.onmicrosoft.com. It works straight away, before your own domain is connected. Once you connect your domain, people will use addresses such as you@yourbusiness.co.uk instead. Keep the .onmicrosoft.com admin account as a backup way in.Step-by-step
- Go to the admin centre. Open admin.microsoft.com in your browser. Don't be surprised if the address changes to
admin.cloud.microsoft: this is Microsoft's newer address for the same page. - Enter your admin username. Type the full username, including the part after the @, and select Next. Then enter the temporary password and select Sign in.
- Choose a new password. Microsoft asks you to replace the temporary password. Pick a long, unique password you don't use anywhere else, and store it in a password manager.
- Set up your security check (multi-factor authentication). When you see More information required, select Next. Install Microsoft Authenticator from the App Store or Google Play, add a work or school account in the app, and scan the QR code shown on your computer. Approve the test notification by typing the number shown on screen.
- Finish signing in. If you're asked Stay signed in?, choose Yes only on your own computer. You'll arrive on the admin centre Home page.
- Check your subscription. Go to Billing → Your products and check that your plan (for example, Microsoft 365 Business Standard) shows as Active, with the number of licences you ordered.
Finding your way around the admin centre
The menu on the left lists the main areas. If you can't see an item, select … Show all at the bottom of the menu to expand the full list. You can also search for a setting with the search box at the top.
| Menu item | What you'll use it for |
|---|---|
| Home | Shortcuts to common tasks, such as adding a user or resetting a password. |
| Users → Active users | Add, edit and remove people, reset passwords and assign licences. |
| Teams & groups | Shared mailboxes, Microsoft 365 groups and distribution lists. |
| Roles | Give someone admin rights. |
| Billing → Your products | See your plans and how many licences are in use. |
| Settings → Domains | Connect your own domain and check its DNS records. |
| Settings → Org settings | Organisation-wide settings, including your organisation profile and password policy. |
| Setup | Guided setup tasks, such as connecting your domain and setting up sign-in security. |
| Admin centers | Links to the specialist centres, such as Exchange for advanced email settings. |
What to do next
- Connect your domain so email uses your own address. See Connect your domain to Microsoft 365.
- Add your users and give each one a licence before you switch your email over. See Add a user and assign a licence.
- Add the DNS records that send email to Microsoft 365. See Microsoft 365 DNS records on Host Dada nameservers.
- Install the apps on your computers and phones. See Install Microsoft 365 apps.
Everyday sign-in addresses
| What | Address |
|---|---|
| Admin centre (admins only) | admin.microsoft.com |
| Microsoft 365 home page (apps, files and installs) | m365.cloud.microsoft (office.com redirects here) |
| Outlook on the web | outlook.office.com |
| Your own security info (Authenticator, phone numbers) | mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info |
Troubleshooting
"Your account or password is incorrect"
Check you typed the full username, including .onmicrosoft.com, and that Caps Lock is off. Temporary passwords expire, so if yours is more than a few days old, open a ticket and we'll issue a new one.
"You don't have permission to access this page"
You're signed in with an account that isn't an admin. This often happens when the browser remembers a different work or personal account. Sign out (select your initials in the top-right corner), or use a private window, and sign in with the admin account.
I've lost the phone with Microsoft Authenticator on it
Another admin in your organisation can require you to register your sign-in methods again. If you're the only admin, contact Host Dada support and we'll help you regain access. Microsoft may need to verify that you own the account.
The sign-in page keeps going round in a loop
Clear your browser's cookies for microsoft.com and microsoftonline.com, or try a private window or a different browser. Browser extensions that block cookies or pop-ups can also interrupt sign-in.
Last reviewed: October 2026
