Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off

    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off

    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off

    How to Turn On or Off "Two-step Verification" for your Microsoft Account
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    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Turn On or Off "Two-step Verification" for your Microsoft Account


       Information
    "Microsoft account" is the new name for what used to be called a "Windows Live ID." Your Microsoft account is the combination of an email address and a password that you use to sign in to Windows 8 or services like Hotmail, Messenger/Skype, SkyDrive, Windows Phone, Xbox LIVE, Zune, Office Live, and Outlook.com. If you use an email address and password to sign in to these or other services, you already have a Microsoft account—but you can also sign up for a new one at any time.



    Two-step verification uses two ways to verify your identity whenever you sign in to your Microsoft account:

    • Your Microsoft account password
    • An extra security code
    Two-step verification helps protect your account by making it more difficult for a hacker to sign in, even if they've somehow learned your password. If you turn on two-step verification, you'll see an extra page every time you sign in on a device that isn't trusted. The extra page prompts you to enter a security code to sign in. Microsoft can send a new security code to your phone or your alternate email address, or you can obtain one through an authenticator app on your smartphone.

    For more information, see:



    This tutorial is a full guide to show you how to either turn on or turn off two-step verification for your Microsoft account.

       Note
    Some apps (like the mail apps on some smartphones) or devices (like the Xbox 360, for example) can't prompt you to enter a security code when you try to sign in. If you get an incorrect password error with an app or device, you'll need to create a unique app password to sign in. Once you've signed in with your app password, you're all set to use that app or device. You'll need to create and sign in with an app password once for each app or device that can't prompt you for a security code.

    For how, see:

    Create or Remove App Passwords in your Microsoft Account when Two-Step Verification is Turned On






    OPTION ONE

    To Turn On "Two-step Verification" for your Microsoft Account


    1. If not already, sign in to your Microsoft account that you want to turn on two-step verification for. (see screenshot below)
    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-sign-in_microsoft_account.jpg
    2. If this PC or device is not a trusted device, then you will be prompted to enter and submit a security code sent to your phone or alternate email address. (see screenshots below)
    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-add_trusted_pc.jpg

    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-email-code-2.jpg
    3. You will first need to unlink all Microsoft accounts that are currently linked to the Microsoft account that you want to turn on two-step verification for.

       Note
    If you do not unlink the accounts, then you will get a "Can't turn on two-step verification message" below when you try to turn on two-step verification instead.

    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-cant_turn_on_two-step_verification.jpg


    4. Go to the Microsoft account Security info overview webpage.

    5. Under the Two-step verification section, click/tap on Set up two-step verification. (see screenshot below)
    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-microsoft_account_two-step_verification-1.jpg
    6. Click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-microsoft_account_two-step_verification-2.jpg
    7. Do step 8, 9, or 10 below for how you would like to receive you first or second verification code.

       Note
    If you had turned off two-step verification (Option Two below) and are just turning it back on, then you will see step 12 below instead if you still have the security info filled out for at least two of the phone number, alternate email address, or authenticator app options.


    8. To Use your Alternate Email Address to Receive Code
    A) Select Alternate email address, type in an email address, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-microsoft_account_two-step_verification-3c.jpg
    B) Check the inbox of this email address for a message from the Microsoft account team, enter the code, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)
    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-email-code-1.jpg

    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-email-code-2.jpg
    C) Go to step 11 below.
    9. To Use a Phone Number to Receive Code
    A) Select Phone number, select your location, enter your phone number, select to get the code with a text message or automated call, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-microsoft_account_two-step_verification-3b.jpg
    B) Enter the code from the text or call, click/tap on Next, and go to step 11 below. (see screenshot below)
    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-phone-code-1.jpg
    10. To Use Authenticator App on Smart Phone or Device to Receive Code
    A) Select Authenticator app, and do step 10B or 10C below depending on what type of phone or device you have. (see screenshot below)

    B) If you have a Windows 8 Phone, then while on the phone get and install the Microsoft's authenticator app, and go to step 10D.
    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-download-windows-phone.png

    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-authenticator-qr.png
    C) If you have an iOS, Android, or BlackBerry device/phone, then while on the phone or device, search your app store for an "authenticator app", install it on the device/phone, and go to step 10D.

       Tip
    Here are some good free authenticator apps:

    Android - Google Authenticator with Barcode Scanner installed.

    iOS - Google Authenticator



    D) Open the authenticator app, and scan the bar code in the left screenshot below step 10E.

    E) The authenticator app will now generate a code. Enter this code, click/tap on Next, and go to step 11 below.
    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-microsoft_account_two-step_verification-3a.jpg

    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-microsoft_authenticator.jpg
    11. Repeat step 7 above to receive a second verification code using a different method (steps 7-9) than what you used the first time. Afterwards, continue on to step 12 below.

    12. Two-step verification is now turned on for your Microsoft account. Click/tap on Done. (see screenshot below)
    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-microsoft_account_two-step_verification-4.jpg



    OPTION TWO

    To Turn Off "Two-step Verification" for your Microsoft Account


    1. Go to the Microsoft account Security info overview webpage.

    2. If not already, sign in to your Microsoft account. (see screenshot below)
    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-sign-in_microsoft_account.jpg
    3. If this PC or device is not a trusted device, then you will be prompted to enter and submit a security code sent to your phone or alternate email address. (see screenshots below)
    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-add_trusted_pc.jpg

    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-email-code-2.jpg
    4. Under the Two-step verification section, click/tap on Turn off two-step verification. (see screenshot below)
    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-turn_off_two-step_verification-1.jpg
    5. Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)
    Microsoft Account "Two-step Verification" - Turn On or Off-turn_off_two-step_verification-2.jpg
    6. Two-step verification is now turned off for your Microsoft account.
    That's it,
    Shawn








  1. Posts : 51,384
    Windows 11 Workstation x64
       #1

    I've just had a search of the google app store and cant find the app

    Edit - nothing in the Apple app store either.
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    The Microsoft's authenticator app will only be available on a Windows 8 phone. I added a QR scan bar to help make it easier to get to on the phone. :)

    However, Google Authenticator is a good one to use on Android devices. It'll prompt you to install a bar scanner the first time you try to scan.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 51,384
    Windows 11 Workstation x64
       #3

    I've just tested the Google Authenticator on the iPad and it works - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/goog...388497605?mt=8
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 36
    W7HP
       #4

    baffled


    My question is this, and I hope someone can help, I've been going round in circles for days.

    If you're able to switch on/switch off, what's the point of Microsoft forcing (yes forcing) users to verify accounts by blocking them until users comply?

    It looks like this: Microsoft make me go to the trouble of linking accounts, because if I don't it won't allow me to access them, and then I follow this tutorial and undo everything I didn't want to sign up for in the first place.

    That doesn't make a lot of sense, and I don't want to link the accounts anyway. So why don't Microsoft back off and just let me into my mail account?

    I always have this niggling doubt it's all about data harvesting - which it invariably is, and since I'm not amused they lifted my contacts and dumped them on their 'cloud' - why do they think I'll be happy now to link to accounts that are none of their &^%$ business?

    Any tips greatly appreciated. Thank you
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hello Mike,

    It's all about adding an extra layer of security to help prevent someone from signing in to your Microsoft account even if they figured out your password.

    To no longer have to get and enter a security code, you could make the device or PC trusted. For example, you wouldn't want to make a public computer at the library a trusted device to sign in to your Microsoft account from.

    Microsoft Account Trusted Devices - Add or Remove

    Hope this helps some, :)
    Shawn
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 469
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit
       #6

    NOTE FOR iPhone USERS:
    Sign in to your Microsoft account
    allows you to
    Set up an identity verification app
    and you are expecting a QR code for your Microsoft or Google Authenticator. HOWEVER IT DOES NOT GIVE A QR CODE FOR IPHONES! To solve this problem, when you get the menu:

    What mobile device do you want to install the app on?
    • Windows Phone
    • Android
    • iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
    • Other

    Simply choose "Other" and you will see a usable QR code.
      My Computer


 

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