Windows 10: Unable to use Microsoft Authenticator app to logon to Windows 10

This one has taunted me for a while now so time to report it. I've just got a new Windows 10 PC and I'm trying to logon with my Microsoft account, as Microsoft recommends. After entering my email address, it offers the option of password which always works BTW or using the app. So I keep trying to use the app but I always fail.


It pops up with two digit number on screen and then up pops the notification on my Android mobile. I select the required number and hit OK but then it asks me to either enter my swipe code or use fingerprint. Neither work - ever!


I use the authenticator app all the time to authenticate at other places, e.g. when I log onto my Microsoft account on the web or that slightly annoying "Fixup account" that crops up now and then in Windows 10.


But I've never managed to logon to Windows 10 for the first time using the app. Anyone got this to work?


PS. I can't supply screenshots as the authenticator app prevents screenshots - one assumes for security.

:)

 

Microsoft Authenticator (beta) app in Store

Source: Microsoft Authenticator (beta)

 

Microsoft Account authentication

After more research, I have found my answer. It looks like the issue was that Microsoft released a new Microsoft Authenticator app with the features first introduced in Microsoft Authenticator Beta. The new app received a prompt to approve access to my Microsoft
Account when signing on from a new PC, though I find it strange that the beta app wasn't directly upgraded to the new version of the app.

Microsoft now has three 2 step authentication apps available in the store for Windows 10 Mobile:

• Authenticator - original app from Windows Phone 8
• Microsoft Authenticator Beta - originally released to Windows 10 users when Windows 10 Mobile was only available on the Windows Insider program.
• Microsoft Authenticator - the official Windows 10 app no longer in beta

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

As you may already know, Windows 10 (as well as Windows 8) allow you to log in with a valid Microsoft account, instead of creating a local account that only works on your machine. However, you may prefer to keep a local account for privacy reasons. If you do, though, some Windows 10 features—like Cortana—may not work. Despite the default behavior, the Windows 10 Store is not one of them. You can still log in to your Microsoft account for just the Store without switching to a full Microsoft account. The process, however, is not terribly obvious. To do so, follow these steps:

• Launch the Store from your Start menu.
• Click the user icon next to the search box.
• Click “Sign-in” from the menu that appears.
• Choose “Microsoft account” and log in like normal.
• When the “Make it yours” box appears do not enter your password. Instead, click “Sign in to just this app instead.”

from Lifehacker