How to use 2-step verification with your Microsoft account

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What is Microsoft two-step verification?

Two-step verification helps protect you by making it difficult for another person to sign in to your Microsoft account. It uses two different forms of identity: your password and a contact method (also known as security information). Even if someone else finds your password, they will stop if they do not have access to your security information. This is the reason why it is important to use different passwords for all your accounts.

What happens when you turn on the Microsoft two-step verification?

If you activate 2-step verification, you will receive a security code for your email, phone or authenticator application each time you log in to an un-trusted device. When the two-step verification is disabled, you only need to verify your identity with the security codes periodically, when there is a risk to the security of your account.

What you will need to configure

Two-step verification begins with an email address (we recommend two different email addresses, the one you normally use and one as a backup just in case), a phone number or an authentication application. When you log in to a new device or from a new location, we will send you a security code to enter the login page. For more information about the authentication application, see How to use the Microsoft Authenticator application.

Activate or deactivate two-step verification

1. Go to the security basics page and sign in with your Microsoft account.

2. Select more security options.

3. In the two-step verification, choose Set up two-step verification to activate it, or choose to Turn off two-step verification to turn it off.

4. Follow the instructions.

Reset your password when two-step verification is enabled

If you forget your password when you have activated two-step verification for your account, you can reset your password as long as we have two ways to contact you, such as one of the email addresses or alternate contact phone numbers you used when you activated the password. Two-step verification

Based on the security information you have added to your account, this requirement could mean entering security code from your authentication application and entering a security code that was sent by email to your backup email account.

To reset your password, follow the steps in How to reset your Microsoft account password. However, instead of receiving a security code to verify your identity, you will receive two.

If you are looking for information on how to change, delete or update the alternate email address or the phone number where you obtain the security codes, follow the steps in Security information and verification codes or replace the security information in your Microsoft account.