Windows 10: Windows Microsoft account authentication

Thomas E. Davis · Mar 10, 2020

I have a valid Microsoft account and a Windows 10 PC with Hello/PIN account login enabled. I also have the Microsoft Authenticator app installed on an iPhone and configured for the Microsoft account. Additionally, I have two step authentication configured for the Microsoft account. With all of that said, I have become very exasperated while trying to unravel the various authentication paths and their security implications through this multi level login security scheme. I find the associated account security documentation to be woefully inadequate. Thus, I would like to pose the following list of questions for starters.

1. Does Windows Hello/PIN amount to a two step verification login procedure for my Microsoft account?

2. Does approving a Microsoft Authenticator login attempt without two step verification explicitly set up

amount to a two step verification login procedure for my Microsoft account?

3. Does approving a Microsoft Authenticator login attempt with two step verification explicitly set up

amount to a two step verification login procedure for my Microsoft account?

4. If answers to both 2 and 3 are yes, then what does explicit set up of two step authentication do?

5. Does a coherent, comprehensive document explaining Microsoft account security configuration exist somewhere?

6. If the answer to 5 is yes, wherer is it?

Thanks in advance.

:)

poit57 · Mar 10, 2020

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

Brink · Mar 10, 2020

Microsoft Authenticator Account Backup and Recovery: Coming to iOS

Howdy folks,

Many of you have asked for backup and recovery for the Microsoft Authenticator app. We’ve heard that need, and that’s why I’m happy to announce that we’ve just released a backup and recovery feature for that app. Now, your Microsoft Authenticator app will keep your account credentials, so you won’t get locked out of your accounts when you move to a new device.

We’re launching this feature beginning with iOS first, and we’ve already released a private preview to our iOS beta testers. Over the next few weeks, we’ll roll this out to all iOS users. We’re rolling out to iOS first as building the app using iCloud simplified our development. But later this year, we’ll add this feature to the Android version as well.

Try it out!

If you don’t have the Microsoft Authenticator app yet, get it here. If you want to try this feature before it’s available to the general public, sign up here to become a beta tester.

If you’re already one of our beta testers, you can install the update (version 5.7.0) on your iOS device once it’s available to you.

Turn on Backup

In the Microsoft Authenticator app, go to Settings. Under Backup, turn the toggle to ON for Auto backups and follow the prompts.

Behind the scenes, this is how it works:

We encrypt your backup data with your personal Microsoft account

We then store the encrypted backup with your iCloud account

And that’s it! Your account credentials are now backed up in the cloud and will stay up to date when you add, delete, or edit your accounts.

Recover on a new device

To recover the app on a new device, sign in to the same iCloud account and personal Microsoft account as on your previous device.

After you sign in, the following options will be available:

Your OATH verification codes for your third-party accounts and personal Microsoft accounts

The ability to enable push notifications for your personal, work, or school Microsoft accounts

If you have additional questions, check out our Microsoft Authenticator docs. You can also use the Microsoft Authenticator forum
to offer suggestions, ask questions, and talk with our support team and other fans of account security.

I hope you’ll take some time to check this mew feature out. As always, we would love to receive any feedback or suggestions you have.

Best Regards,

Alex Simons (Twitter: @Alex_A_Simons)

Director of Program Management

Microsoft Identity Division
Click to expand...

Source: Microsoft Authenticator Account Backup and Recovery: Coming soon to an iOS device near you! Enterprise Mobility + Security

Brink · Mar 10, 2020

Microsoft Authenticator Account Backup and Recovery: Coming to iOS

Howdy folks,

Many of you have asked for backup and recovery for the Microsoft Authenticator app. We’ve heard that need, and that’s why I’m happy to announce that we’ve just released a backup and recovery feature for that app. Now, your Microsoft Authenticator app will keep your account credentials, so you won’t get locked out of your accounts when you move to a new device.

We’re launching this feature beginning with iOS first, and we’ve already released a private preview to our iOS beta testers. Over the next few weeks, we’ll roll this out to all iOS users. We’re rolling out to iOS first as building the app using iCloud simplified our development. But later this year, we’ll add this feature to the Android version as well.

Try it out!

If you don’t have the Microsoft Authenticator app yet, get it here. If you want to try this feature before it’s available to the general public, sign up here to become a beta tester.

If you’re already one of our beta testers, you can install the update (version 5.7.0) on your iOS device once it’s available to you.

Turn on Backup

In the Microsoft Authenticator app, go to Settings. Under Backup, turn the toggle to ON for Auto backups and follow the prompts.

Behind the scenes, this is how it works:

We encrypt your backup data with your personal Microsoft account

We then store the encrypted backup with your iCloud account

And that’s it! Your account credentials are now backed up in the cloud and will stay up to date when you add, delete, or edit your accounts.

Recover on a new device

To recover the app on a new device, sign in to the same iCloud account and personal Microsoft account as on your previous device.

After you sign in, the following options will be available:

Your OATH verification codes for your third-party accounts and personal Microsoft accounts

The ability to enable push notifications for your personal, work, or school Microsoft accounts

If you have additional questions, check out our Microsoft Authenticator docs. You can also use the Microsoft Authenticator forum
to offer suggestions, ask questions, and talk with our support team and other fans of account security.

I hope you’ll take some time to check this mew feature out. As always, we would love to receive any feedback or suggestions you have.

Best Regards,

Alex Simons (Twitter: @Alex_A_Simons)

Director of Program Management

Microsoft Identity Division
Click to expand...

Source: Microsoft Authenticator Account Backup and Recovery: Coming soon to an iOS device near you! Enterprise Mobility + Security

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