Skip to main content
Tech Radar Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming
TechRadar TechRadar the business technology experts
SG EditionSingapore
DK EditionDanmark FI EditionSuomi NO EditionNorge SE EditionSverige UK EditionUK IT EditionItalia NL EditionNederland BE (NL) EditionBelgië (Nederlands) FR EditionFrance DE EditionDeutschland ES EditionEspaña
US EditionUS (English) CA EditionCanada MX EditionMéxico
AU EditionAustralia NZ EditionNew Zealand
RSS
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
Don't miss these
Trending
  • Best office chairs
  • Best 3D printers
  • Best antivirus
  • Best web hosting
  • Best website builder
  • Expert Insights
  1. Pro

How to strengthen and secure your Windows 10 log-in

News
By EZ Bardeguez published 26 August 2015

Double authentication is key

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

Double Authentication adds a second layer of security on your computer, device or account. By adding a primary layer of security, your password, you can log into your computer normally. Double Authentication requires you to input a 6-digit code that is randomly generated after 30 seconds on an app that you install on your phone. If you forget your original password, then Google can send it to a backup email or your phone (via SMS).

So, even if someone steals your password, they would need to have a Google Authentication App to generate a random key.

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
How to set it up

How to set it up

Download the Google Authenticator app - iOS here and Android here - and download that to your mobile phone.

The next step is harder, I promise.

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Getting Windows 10 with Double Authentication

Getting Windows 10 with Double Authentication

Once all the prerequisites are done, open settings in the taskbar and click on Accounts. Note - if you are using a local account on your computer following through with these steps will link your computer with your Microsoft account. To setup your "Microsoft Account" click here.

Click on "Manage my Microsoft Account" and Edge will open to your Microsoft Account page. Once opened, click on "Security and Privacy."

On this page, click on a link for "More security sessions," which is the third link on the left-hand column which is the third one under the "Account security" header. Log in with your Microsoft credentials.

Scroll down and under "Two-step verification" make sure you click on "activate two-step authentication."

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Setting up the app

Setting up the app

Click on the "Set up identity verification app" and follow the steps to add Microsoft to your Google Authenticator app. Make sure the app is open and click the '+' button and choose "Scan Barcode." The app is really easy to use. You just point your phone's camera toward the screen and scan the barcode and everything is already setup for you.

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Final step

Final step

You will have to sign into your account and it will ask you for Authentication (via the app) but that is it.

Congratulations, and welcome to a safer and more secure Windows 10.

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
TOPICS
Windows 10 Microsoft
EZ Bardeguez
Share by:
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Whatsapp
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Threads
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Latest in Pro
Malware attack virus alert , malicious software infection , cyber security awareness training to protect business
Notorious Black Axe cybercrime gang disrupted in Europol raids
 
 
Hands typing on laptop beside tablet and smartphone, cloud and analytics overlays highlight technology, strategy and transformation powering business innovation with data insights - stock photo
How AI, digital sovereignty and data localization are reshaping European data strategies
 
 
Instagram
Been asked to reset your Instagram password? Company denies data breach reports after users bombarded with request emails
 
 
Asus NUC 16 Pro
Asus vies for fastest mini PC ever with Panther Lake NUC 16 Pro — B390 GPU inside the Core Ultra X9 388H impresses but won't beat the 8060S
 
 
GMKtec EVO-T2
GMKTec EVO-T2 has more AI firepower than Ryzen AI Max+ 395 mini PC — Core Ultra X9 388H delivers 180TOPS, 50% more than its AMD rival
 
 
Cash
Cost of Bank of England's Oracle migration set to triple
 
 
Latest in News
iMac G3 Lego set concept top down view with peripherals
A Lego take on the first iMac could arrive in the future, and it's a beauty
 
 
Discord
Discord stopped working in Egypt – and Proton VPN records massive usage spike
 
 
A DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone in flight in a forest
U-turn means pre-approved Chinese drones will continue to flow into the country
 
 
Sad business man and laptop
AI haters be warned – Windows 11's folders may get a big dose of Copilot AI
 
 
A close-up of a bear character in Baldur's Gate 3.
Baldur's Gate 3 might not come to Switch 2 as Larian CEO says a port 'wasn't our decision to make'
 
 
Yandex Browser and Popular Internet Browser Applications Displayed on Smartphone Screen - stock photo
Your mobile browser counts – and these three are putting your privacy at risk, warns Surfshark
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    Discord stopped working in Egypt – and Proton VPN records massive usage spike
  2. 2
    What is the release date for Fallout season 2 episode 5 on Prime Video?
  3. 3
    DJI and other drone companies get a partial reprieve in the US – but the ban on new models still stands
  4. 4
    IKEA’s upgraded donut lamp is already my favorite smart home device of the year — here are 5 reasons why
  5. 5
    A Lego version of the original iMac G3 could be in the works – and it looks like 90s nostalgia gold

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...