Windows 10 - Your phone - Add a phone - Disabled

Question

I am on Windows 10 Version 1809 Build 17763.316. I opened the Your phone settings page (click on Start Menu > Cog (Settings) > Phone). The Add a phone + button is greyed out. A message in red says Some settings are hidden or managed by your organization (see image below). How do I enable the Add a phone + button?

Answer 1

I have the exact same issue. I found this: https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/9pdie4/gpo_that_blocks_access_to_link_phone_in_1809/

Depending on your version of Windows 10, you can either:

1. Edit the local Group Policy (i.e. gpedit.msc) to disable Turn off Microsoft consumer experiences in Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Cloud Content (I would also set the User Config local GP the same way) or...
2. Edit the DisableWindowsConsumerFeatures DWORD registry key (set it to 0): Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent

Answer 2

The grayed-out settings is not the place to go. You are looking for a Windows app.

1. Type "Phone" in the Windows menu
2. open the (windows inbuilt) Phone app
3. It will ask your phone number
4. Wait for the SMS (it will send you a link to download the "companion" app for your phone, you probably could just install it)
5. install the "companion" app on your phone
6. Scan the QR code (or just login with your windows ID)