The fastest way to sign in
Go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and enter the email address or phone number linked to your Microsoft account. On the next screen, type your password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will receive a code on your phone or in your authenticator app — enter that code to finish signing in.
On Windows 10 or Windows 11, you can also sign in directly at the lock screen by typing your email and password. This logs you into your computer and your Microsoft account at the same time, giving you access to OneDrive, Outlook, and other Microsoft services without a second login.
On a phone or tablet, open the Microsoft Authenticator app or the Outlook app and tap "Sign in". Enter your email address, then your password, then any security code if prompted. You will then have access to your email, calendar, and OneDrive from that device.
Key Takeaways
- The main sign-in page is account.microsoft.com, where you enter your email or phone number and password.
- If two-factor authentication is on, you will need to enter a security code sent to your phone or generated by your authenticator app.
- On Windows computers, signing in at the lock screen logs you into both your computer and your Microsoft account in one step.
- On phones and tablets, use the Microsoft Authenticator app or Outlook app to sign in and access your account.
Signing in on Windows 10 and Windows 11
At the Windows lock screen, click or tap the sign-in field and type the email address or phone number for your Microsoft account. Press Enter or tap the arrow, then type your password and press Enter again. If you see a prompt for a security code, check your phone for a notification from the Microsoft Authenticator app or look for a code sent by text message.
If you do not remember your password, click "I forgot my password" on the lock screen. You will be asked to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number you set up earlier. Microsoft will send you a code to reset your password.
If your computer is not connected to the internet, you can still sign in with a local account, but you will not have access to cloud services like OneDrive or Outlook until you reconnect.
Signing in on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android
On a Mac, open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Enter your email address and password the same way you would on Windows. On iPhone, iPad, or Android, download the Microsoft Authenticator app or the Outlook app from your device's app store, open it, and tap "Sign in".
Type your email address, then your password. If your account has two-factor authentication enabled, you will see a notification in the Authenticator app asking you to approve the sign-in, or you will receive a code by text. Approve the notification or enter the code to complete the login.
Once signed in on a phone or tablet, you can access your email, calendar, contacts, and OneDrive files without signing in again each time you open the app.
What to do if you forgot your password
Go to account.microsoft.com/passwordreset and click "I can't access my account". Enter the email address or phone number for your Microsoft account. Microsoft will ask you to prove you own the account by sending a code to a recovery email address or phone number you provided when you created the account.
Check your email or text messages for the code and enter it on the password reset page. You will then be able to create a new password. Make sure your new password is at least 8 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols for better security.
If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone number, you can answer security questions you set up earlier, or Microsoft may ask you to verify your identity another way. This process can take a few minutes.
Understanding two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication adds a second security step after you enter your password. When it is turned on, you must also enter a code that only you can receive — usually through the Microsoft Authenticator app, a text message, or an authenticator app like Google Authenticator.
The first time you sign in from a new device, you will always be asked for this second code, even if you have saved your password. On devices you use regularly, you can choose to trust the device so you do not have to enter a code every single time.
If you lose access to your authenticator app or phone number, you can use backup codes. These are one-time codes you can save when you first set up two-factor authentication. Store them somewhere safe, like a password manager or a printed list in a secure location.
Staying signed in across devices
When you sign in on a device, Microsoft asks whether you want to stay signed in. If you choose yes, your account will remain active on that device until you manually sign out. This is convenient for personal devices but not recommended on shared computers or public devices.
On shared devices, always choose "No, sign me out when this browser closes" or sign out manually when you are finished. You can sign out by going to account.microsoft.com, clicking your name in the top right, and selecting "Sign out".
If you sign in on a device you do not recognize or do not remember using, you can remove that device from your account. Go to account.microsoft.com, click "Security" in the left menu, then "Manage all devices". Find the device and click "Remove".
Troubleshooting common sign-in problems
If you see an error message saying your password is wrong, make sure Caps Lock is not on and that you are typing the correct email address. Passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters matter. If you still cannot sign in after three attempts, Microsoft will ask you to wait a few minutes before trying again.
If you are stuck on a security verification screen, check that you have a working internet connection and that your phone can receive text messages or notifications from the Authenticator app. If you do not receive a code, click "Use a different verification option" to try another method, such as answering security questions or using a backup code.
If you see a message saying your account has been locked for security reasons, go to account.microsoft.com/security and follow the steps to unlock it. Microsoft locks accounts when it detects unusual sign-in activity to protect your information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a phone number instead of an email address to sign in?
Yes. When you created your Microsoft account, you may have added a phone number as a recovery option. At the sign-in screen, you can enter either your email address or that phone number. Both will work as long as they are linked to your account.
What should I do if I do not remember which email address I used for my account?
Go to account.microsoft.com/passwordreset and click "I can't access my account". Microsoft will ask you to enter an email address you think might be associated with the account. If that is not correct, try other email addresses you have used. You can also check your email inbox for messages from Microsoft that might show which address was used.
Is it safe to save my password in my web browser?
Browser password managers are reasonably secure for personal devices, but not for shared computers. If you use a shared device, do not save your password. On your personal computer or phone, a browser password manager is convenient and safe as long as your device itself is password-protected.
Can I sign into multiple Microsoft accounts on the same device?
Yes. On Windows, you can add multiple user accounts to your computer, each with its own Microsoft account. On phones and tablets, you can sign into multiple accounts in the Outlook or Authenticator app by tapping "Add account" and entering each email address and password separately.
What happens if I sign in from a country I have never visited before?
Microsoft may flag the sign-in as unusual and ask you to verify your identity with a security code. This is a normal security measure. Enter the code sent to your phone or email to complete the sign-in. If you travel frequently, you can adjust your security settings to reduce these prompts.