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.
1. If not already,
sign in to your Microsoft account that you want to turn on two-step verification for. (see screenshot below)
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)
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.
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)
6. Click/tap on
Next. (see screenshot below)
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)
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)
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)
B) Enter the code from the text or call, click/tap on
Next, and go to
step 11 below. (see screenshot below)
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.
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.
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.
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)
1. Go to the
Microsoft account Security info overview webpage.
2. If not already,
sign in to your Microsoft account. (see screenshot below)
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)
4. Under the
Two-step verification section, click/tap on
Turn off two-step verification. (see screenshot below)
5. Click/tap on
Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)
6. Two-step verification is now turned off for your Microsoft account.
That's it,