MFA - Enroll with Microsoft Authenticator App

Multi-factor authentication for Office 365 is required for all Normandale Community College students and employees to secure your access to our Outlook email, OneDrive file storage, Teams collaboration, and phone and productivity system. MFA is the best way to prevent someone who steals your StarID password from accessing your Office 365 account.

Below are the steps to start MFA setup, to be completed on any web browser. A mobile device (iPhone/iPad or Android phone/tablet) is required for the setup procedure below. An app called “Microsoft Authenticator” needs to be installed as the first step. 

Account

Step 1: Sign in using your Minnesota State account

On your computer, sign in to Microsoft 365 or another service that uses your Minnesota State account.

Enter your username using the appropriate format:

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

Enter your StarID password and select Sign in.

Step 2: Begin setting up MFA

After you sign in, you will see a "More information required" message. This means you need to provide additional information to help secure your account.

Select Next.

Step 3: Start the Microsoft Authenticator setup

The Keep your account secure page will open.

If Microsoft Authenticator is already installed on your mobile device, select Next.

If it is not installed:

1. Install Microsoft Authenticator from your mobile device’s app store.
2. Return to the setup page on your computer.
3. Select Next.

Keep this page open on your computer. You will use your mobile device for part of the remaining setup.

Step 4: Prepare Microsoft Authenticator

Open Microsoft Authenticator on your mobile device.

If this is the first time you have opened the app, follow the onscreen prompts. Allow notifications when asked so the app can send you sign-in approval requests.

In Microsoft Authenticator:

1. Select + or Add account.
2. Select Work or school account.
3. Select Scan a QR code.
4. Allow camera access if prompted.

The app needs camera access to scan the QR code displayed on your computer. If you don't allow camera access, Microsoft also provides a manual setup option.

Step 5: Display the QR code

Return to the Set up your account page on your computer.

Select Next.

A QR code will appear on the computer screen.

Important: Scan the QR code from within Microsoft Authenticator. Do not use your mobile device’s regular camera app.

Step 6: Scan the QR code

On your mobile device, use the QR code scanner in Microsoft Authenticator to scan the code displayed on your computer.

After you add the account to Microsoft Authenticator, return to your computer and select Next.

If you can't scan the QR code, select Can’t scan the QR image? on the computer and follow the instructions to enter the information manually.

Step 7: Approve the test notification

Microsoft will send a test notification to Microsoft Authenticator.

On your mobile device:

1. Open the notification or Microsoft Authenticator.
2. Enter the number shown on your computer, if prompted.
3. Select Approve.

Return to your computer after approving the request.

Step 8: Finish the setup

After the test is approved, the computer will confirm that the notification was approved successfully.

Select Next, and then select Done to complete the setup.

Microsoft Authenticator is now registered as an authentication method for your Minnesota State Microsoft 365 account. Microsoft’s setup process tests the registration by sending a notification to the app before completing enrollment.

If you lose your mobile device or change mobile devices, please contact the IT Service Desk at (952) 358-8181 for instructions on how to regain access to your Office 365 account.