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Sign-In FAQ
MSN Encarta Premium and MSN Encarta Standard are subscription versions of MSN Encarta. To enter MSN Encarta Premium or MSN Encarta Standard, click Subscriber Sign In. Make sure to sign in using the same e-mail address and password that you used to sign up for your subscription.

If you are having trouble entering MSN Encarta Premium or MSN Encarta Standard, click the link below that best describes your situation: I can't sign in with my e-mail and password to MSN Encarta.
If your are an MSN Encarta Premium or MSN Encarta Standard member, but can't sign in with your account, check the following:

  1. You might be using a different e-mail and password than the one you used to join MSN Encarta Premium.
    If you are using a different account, you will get the following message:

    We could not find your account in our membership database. You must be a member to use MSN Encarta Premium.
    If you get this message, try to sign in again. Make sure that you are using the same account that you used to sign up for your subscription. Do not sign up for a new account, because MSN Encarta Premium will not recognize a new account.

  2. You might not have registered for the free access that came with your computer.
    If your computer came with an icon to try MSN Encarta (or Encarta Online), you are eligible for MSN Encarta Standard. You need to register or MSN Encarta Standard won't recognize you.

    On your computer, double-click the icon for MSN Encarta online (on the Start menu or your desktop), and then follow the instructions. This is how you activate your free subscription to MSN Encarta Standard.


    3. Still can't sign in? Get help.


I am a member of MSN Encarta Premium, but I can't sign in.

If you have a current subscription to MSN Encarta Premium, you can go to http://encarta.msn.com and then click Subscriber Sign In.

When you sign in, make sure you use the same e-mail address and password that you used to sign up for your MSN Encarta Premium Services.

Still can't sign in? Get help from Encarta Support Center.


I am a member of MSN Premium Services, but I can't sign in.

If you have a current subscription to MSN Premium Services, you can go to http://encarta.msn.com and then click Subscriber Sign In.

When you sign in, make sure you use the same e-mail address and password that you used to sign up for your MSN Premium Services.

Still can't sign in? Get help from Encarta Support Center.


I own a Microsoft Student CD or DVD

Microsoft Student offers free membership to MSN Encarta Premium. For information about activating your MSN Encarta Premium subscription, open Microsoft Student, and then on the File menu, click Activate Subscription.

Learn more about Encarta Premium.


Encarta Online came installed on my computer

One year of free membership to MSN Encarta Standard is included with some new personal computers. If your computer came with an icon to try MSN Encarta (or Encarta Online), you are eligible for MSN Encarta Standard.

On your computer, double-click the icon for Encarta online (on the Start menu or your desktop), and then follow the instructions.

If you cannot sign in, check the following:
  • Make sure that your membership is activated. On your Start menu or desktop, click the icon to try MSN Encarta (or Encarta Online), and then follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Make sure that you are using the same account that you used to sign up for MSN Encarta Standard.
Still can't sign in? Please contact your computer manufacturer. Check your documentation for contact information.


I live outside the UK

The Encarta.com Web site you are currently using is designed for users in the United Kingdom. If you are eligible for MSN Encarta Premium through an offer from a different region or country (for example, a United States offer), please visit the Encarta.com site for that region or country:

  Australia
  Canada (French)
  France
  Germany
  Japan
  Italy
  Mexico
  Spain
  United States

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