Guidance for using University services on your personal Windows device

This guide applies to University staff, postgraduate research students and students who also hold a staff role. 

What is a personal device?

The term 'personal device' is used to describe a Windows laptop or desktop owned by an individual or an organisation other than the University.

We strongly recommend using your University provided device to access University services, as this is compliant and works fine.

What are University services?

This guide explains how to access University services covered by the Microsoft authentication process. University services that are covered by the University Single-Sign On service include: 

  • Microsoft 365 platform includes apps such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive and the Office suite 
  • Blackboard 
  • MyERP 
  • MyBristol portal 
  • MyStudents 
  • T4 site manager
  • VPN
  • and many more. 

Setting up your device

Make sure your Windows device is up to date

1. Ensure your computer is running the latest version of Windows 10 or 11 and all the latest security patches have been appliedCheck your version of Windows for updates.

If your Windows device is not currently running Windows 10 or 11 you will be unable to access University services.

Check if your device is already registered

2.  Check to see if your computer is already registered.

2.1 Type access work or school in the search bar.

 ‌Using Windows on your personal device guidance

2.2 Click open on the right.  

2.3 If your username appears under Connect then your computer is already registered. Do not click Connect. 

Screenshot 2.2 - guidance for using university services on your personal Windows device

You will be able to access services after 13 April as long as your computer is running the latest version of Windows 10 or 11 and all the latest security patches have been applied.

If your username is not shown, please follow step 3 below.

Register your device

Note: If your device is owned by another organisation (not the University of Bristol), please follow the steps to register a device owned by another organisation.
 

3. If you are not registered, download Microsoft Intune Company Portal from the Microsoft Store. 

Screenshot 3 - Guidance for using University services on Windows devices

3.1. Click Open

If you see anything other than the following, then you are likely already registered.  Please skip through to the troubleshooting section immediately.
 
 

3.2 Enter your University username (email format, username@bristol.ac.uk) and password to log into Company Portal. After the MFA (Multi Factor Authentication) step you will see a check box that says “allow my organization to manage my device” – you must uncheck this.

Screenshot 4

Note: This will be on by default; if you leave this checked, you cannot access services.

This process registers your device for the University’s access processes to check your operating system. If your device is compliant, you will be able to access University services.

If successful, you will see the prompt "You're all ready!" and should now be able to sign into M365 apps other corporate resources using your university account.

Note: Using Company Portal will not give the University access to your personal information nor to any University management of the device.

Register a Windows device owned by another organisation

3. Add your University of Bristol account to your Windows device by following the steps below.

  • Open Settings using the search bar in the start menu
  • From Settings, select Accounts
  • Select Email & accounts from the left-hand navigation
  • Under Accounts used by other apps, click Add a workplace or school account
  • Follow the sign-in procedure using your @bristol.ac.uk credentials.

Check your web browser settings

4. Please also check that your web browser (Edge, Chrome or Firefox) is correctly set up.  See the instructions below under 'Web browser support'.

 

Troubleshooting

Data protection and privacy

Registering your Windows device to access your University account through the M365 native apps does not give the University any control over your device or allow any access to your personal data.

 Your organisation can't see:

  • Calling and web browsing history
  • Email and text messages
  • Contacts
  • Calendar
  • Passwords
  • Pictures, including what's in the photos app or camera roll
  • Files

 Your organisation can always see:

  • Device owner
  • Device name
  • Device serial number
  • Device model,
  • Device manufacturer
  • Operating system and version
  • Device IMEI
  • App inventory and app names, such as Microsoft Word
    • On personal devices, your organization can only see your managed app inventory, which includes work and school apps.
    • On corporate-owned devices, your organization can see all apps installed on the device.
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