It's a good idea to add as much security info to your account as you can, because it will help make your account more secure. For example, if you forget your password, or if someone else tries to take over your account, you can use your security info to get your account back.
To get started with adding account security info, follow these steps:
1. Sign in to your Microsoft account using your email address and password.
2. On your account page, under Password and security info, tap or click Edit security info.
We can send a password reset code to your phone if you need to reset your password. You can enter one or more phone numbers.
1. On the Security info page, select Add.
2. Select your country code.
3. Enter your phone number.
4. Click Save.
Note
· Charges for text messaging might apply.
To add an alternate email address to your account
We can send a password reset link to your alternate email address if you forget your password. You can have one or more alternate email address associated with your account. When we send you a password reset link, we'll send it to all your alternate email addresses.
1. On the Security info page, select Add.
2. Enter the email address.
3. Click Save.
To add a trusted PC to your account
You can reset your password easily at any time from your trusted PC.
1. On the Security info page, select Add the PC you're using as a trusted PC.
2. Enter the name of the PC.
3. Click Save.
Note
· To add a trusted PC, you need to have Windows Essentials installed on it.
To add a security question and answer to your account
The answer to the question you've chosen, along with your location, helps us verify your identity so you can reset your password if you forget it.
1. On the Security info page, select Add.
2. Select a security question.
3. Type your answer to the security question. Your secret answer must be at least five characters in length. It's not case-sensitive.
4. Click Save.
If you're creating a new Microsoft account:
After you create a new account, you have 14 days to add, remove, or change your security info without the required confirmation. When your account has been in use for more than 14 days, you’ll need to verify your info by following the instructions we send you.
Verify your settings:
When adding your security info, you'll be required to verify your settings. You can verify your settings by following the instructions in the email sent to your alternate email address. Also, you can choose Confirm next to any password reset option to have a confirmation email sent to the alternate email address you specified.
