The fastest way to sign in depends on what device you're using

To sign into a Microsoft account, you need your email address (the one linked to your account) and your password. On a Windows computer, you can often sign in directly at the lock screen without opening a browser. On a Mac, phone, or tablet, you'll use a web browser or the Microsoft app. The process takes less than a minute once you have your login details in front of you.

If you've forgotten your password or can't remember which email address you used, Microsoft has a recovery process — but it works faster if you set up a backup phone number or recovery email before you need it. This guide covers signing in on the devices you're most likely to use.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, click your user account picture at the lock screen and type your email and password to sign in.
  • On a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, open a web browser, go to account.microsoft.com, and enter your email and password.
  • If you see a security code prompt, check the email address or phone number linked to your account — Microsoft sends the code there.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Can't access your account" link on the sign-in page to start the recovery process.
  • Two-factor authentication (a second verification step) makes your account more secure but adds a few seconds to sign-in time.

Signing in on a Windows computer

On Windows 10 and Windows 11, your lock screen shows your user account picture in the bottom left corner. Click that picture, then type your email address and password in the boxes that appear. Press Enter or click the arrow button to sign in. If you're already at the desktop, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then click "Sign in" at the bottom right.

If you use a PIN or Windows Hello (facial recognition or fingerprint), you can use those instead of your password — they're faster and just as secure. To set up a PIN, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and choose "PIN (Windows Hello)". You'll still need your password as a backup if the PIN or biometric doesn't work.

If you're signing into a Microsoft service like Outlook, OneDrive, or Office for the first time on this computer, open the app and click "Sign in". Type your email and password the same way. The app will remember you, so you won't have to sign in again unless you sign out or the app clears its stored login.

Signing in on a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Android device

Open any web browser (Safari on Mac or iPhone, Chrome, Edge, or Firefox on any device) and go to account.microsoft.com. Type your email address in the first box, then click "Next". On the next screen, type your password and click "Sign in".

If you're signing into a Microsoft app like Outlook, OneDrive, or Microsoft Teams instead, open the app and look for a "Sign in" button. Tap or click it, then enter your email and password the same way. The app will ask if you want to stay signed in — choose "Yes" if this is your personal device, or "No" if you're on a shared or public computer.

Some apps on phones and tablets let you sign in with your face or fingerprint after you've signed in once with your password. This is called biometric sign-in. It's faster and secure, but you'll still need your password if biometric sign-in fails.

What to do if you see a security code prompt

After you type your password, Microsoft sometimes asks for a security code as a second verification step. This is called two-factor authentication. You'll see a message asking where you want to receive the code — usually "Text a code to [phone number]" or "Email a code to [email address]".

Choose the option you recognize. Microsoft will send a six-digit code to that phone or email within seconds. Type the code into the box on the sign-in screen and click "Verify". If you don't receive the code within a minute, click "Didn't get a code?" and try the other option (email instead of text, or vice versa).

If you have the Microsoft Authenticator app installed on your phone, you may see an option to approve the sign-in from the app instead of entering a code. Open the app, look for the pending sign-in request, and tap "Approve". This is faster than waiting for a code.

Recovering your account if you forget your password

On the sign-in page at account.microsoft.com, click "Can't access your account?" below the password box. Microsoft will ask you to type your email address, then show you a few recovery options. The fastest option is usually "I forgot my password".

Click that option and choose how you want to receive a recovery code — by text to your phone or email to your backup email address. Microsoft sends the code within seconds. Type it into the box, then create a new password. Make sure your new password is at least 8 characters long and includes uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or @) — this makes it harder for someone else to guess.

If you don't have access to the phone number or email address you set up for recovery, click "I can't use any of these options" and Microsoft will walk you through additional verification steps. You may need to answer security questions you set up earlier, or provide a photo of your ID. This process can take longer, so it's worth setting up a recovery phone number and backup email now, before you need them.

Setting up recovery options so you don't get locked out

Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in. Click "Security" in the left menu, then look for "How to sign in" or "Security info". You'll see options to add a phone number, backup email address, and security questions. Add at least one phone number and one email address — Microsoft uses these if you forget your password or if someone tries to break into your account.

When you add a phone number, Microsoft will text you a code to verify it's really your number. Type the code into the box to confirm. Do the same for your backup email address — Microsoft will send a verification link to that email. Once both are confirmed, you're protected. If you ever forget your password, you can recover your account in minutes instead of hours.

Troubleshooting common sign-in problems

If you type your password and see an error message saying it's wrong, make sure Caps Lock is off — passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password" is different from "password". Also check that you're not accidentally typing extra spaces before or after your email address. Copy and paste your email from a document if you're not sure you're typing it correctly.

If you're sure your password is correct but sign-in still fails, your account may have been locked for security reasons. Click "Can't access your account?" and follow the recovery steps. Microsoft will verify your identity and let you back in. If you see a message saying "This account has been temporarily locked", wait 30 minutes and try again — Microsoft does this automatically if someone tries to sign in with the wrong password too many times.

If you're on a work or school network and sign-in fails, your organization may have set up special sign-in rules. Contact your IT department or help desk — they can tell you if you need to use a different email address or if there's a separate sign-in page for your organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my phone number instead of my email to sign in?

No, you must use the email address linked to your Microsoft account. However, you can add a phone number as a recovery option so you can reset your password if you forget it. Go to account.microsoft.com, click Security, and add your phone number there.

What's the difference between a Microsoft account and a work or school account?

A Microsoft account uses an email address you create (like yourname@outlook.com or any other email). A work or school account is set up by your employer or school and may have different sign-in rules. If you're not sure which one you have, try signing in at account.microsoft.com — it will tell you if something is wrong.

Do I have to sign in every time I use my device?

No. On Windows, you sign in once at the lock screen and stay signed in until you restart or manually sign out. On phones and apps, you usually sign in once and the app remembers you. If you choose "Don't stay signed in" or clear your browser data, you'll have to sign in again next time.

Is it safe to save my password in my browser?

It's safe on your personal computer, but not on a shared or public computer. If you're the only person who uses your device, letting your browser save your password is convenient. If others use the same computer, don't save it — type your password each time instead.

What should I do if I think someone else signed into my account?

Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and click "Security" > "Recent activity". You'll see a list of devices and locations where your account was used. If you see sign-ins you don't recognize, click "This wasn't me" next to that entry. Microsoft will ask you to change your password and may lock out the suspicious sign-in.