You don’t have to think about it: losing your notebook. Or maybe even worse, that your laptop is stolen. In this article we will discuss what Windows has to offer to find a raffled device. We also consider the possibilities of shielding your laptop as much as possible, so that others do not just have access to everything.
In Windows you have several options for locating the computer in the event of problems, such as loss or theft. It is important that you enable the functions in advance.
Locate device
Open the Windows settings window from the start menu or use Windows key+I. Then choose Privacy & Security / Find My Device. Make sure the slider is on On is with the option Find my device. The location of the device is shown via a separate website, which you can access via https://account.microsoft.com.
Look for the section Devices. click on Find my device. A map will appear, with an overview of all devices associated with the Microsoft account on the left. Click on the device you are looking for. The panel expands and the last known location appears.
In addition, you can read the battery percentage here. click on To search to find the current location of the device. You can also use the map shown on the right of the window instead. Click on a computer icon to display its details.
It is important to lock the computer so that others cannot access any personal and valuable data. In the panel you will find the button lock. Click to lock the machine.
In case of theft, it is important to act quickly. The better you can describe the device, the greater the chance that you will get it back or make a successful return. Therefore, always have a few good photos of the laptop or phone (with unique characteristics) and note all relevant serial numbers. Store this information in an external location, such as an external drive or cloud service, for easy access.
Find pen
Do you use a stylus? Windows 11 also has a handy option that makes it easier to find the pen in case of loss. In the aforementioned window Find my device activate the option Find your pen. The feature only works if you’ve used the pen on the device before and it’s paired with it.
Find lost and found items online
In recent years, several online services have been introduced to help locate lost items, including computers, phones, and other devices. A good example of this is www.verlorenofgevonden.nl. This is a collaboration between, among others, the Dutch municipality and the police. In the search box at the top you can enter a description of the device, after which you click on Find. If you have just found an object, click on . further down the website Register item.
Another provider is iLost, of which you can find the Dutch version at www.ilost.co/nl. Here too you will find a prominent search box at the top of the website in which you can enter a description of the lost device. In addition, this website offers a service that allows you to register valuable devices (click on Register your first item now).
In case of problems, you have all relevant information about the object at hand. You can also register a found object via the same website.
Hopefully, the above tips will provide you with enough information to find your lost device. If you do catch a blunt, it makes a huge difference if you know that there is little to gain for criminals on your laptop. You do this by taking some measures in advance. We’ll go into that in the rest of this article.
Multi-factor authentication
To prevent unauthorized access to data, for example if your device is stolen, you ensure well-thought-out security. Next to an strong password turn on your multi-factor authentication. With this security layer, you use an extra confirmation in addition to the username and password.
For example, this authentication sends you a text message or asks you to enter an additional code, which is generated by an authenticator app. Well-known services, such as Gmail, Google Drive, Outlook and OneDrive, have been supporting multi-factor authentication (also known as two-step authentication) for some time now. On the profile page of the services used, look for the option and enable it.
In case of emergency
Many forms of multi-factor authentication use the telephone, for example to receive a text message or generate a one-time login code. In the event of the theft of the phone, a nasty situation can arise: after all, you no longer have the phone to access personal data.
When activating multi-factor authentication, you can usually generate a list of backup codes. Look for this option in your personal profile or during the activation process. Keep the backup codes in a safe place: in case of loss or theft of the phone, you can still log in with the backup codes.
Get rid of Windows password
Relatively recently, Microsoft introduced the ability to log in to Windows without a password. Instead, you use the Microsoft Authenticator app. This way of logging in is more secure than a password, especially if you’re using a relatively simple password. This comes in handy in the event of loss or theft of the device.
First, install the Microsoft Authenticator app on the phone. You can find it in the Apple Store and Google Play. Link the app to the Microsoft account. Open next https://account.microsoft.com via the browser and choose Advanced security options. Choose Security (at the top of the window) and click To work Bee Advanced security options. In the section Extra security click on Switch Bee Account without password.
Unsubscribe everywhere
Prevent others from being able to access the data, for example via a user session that is still open and for which the user no longer needs to log in. In that case, you can sign out of all devices.
On the page https://account.microsoft.com do you choose Security. click on To work Bee Advanced security options. In the section Sign out (at the bottom of the page) click Sign out. Microsoft itself states that this takes place within 24 hours, but in practice active user sessions are usually terminated immediately.
Personal safe
Some files, such as certain documents and photos, are more confidential than others. You can protect these files extra. In the event of loss or theft of the device, this gives a feeling of peace of mind. We use the function Personal safe, which you’ll find in OneDrive. With the free version of OneDrive you can store three files in the safe. Do you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, then there is no maximum number.
Open the explorer with Windows key+E and click on the map OneDrive. Then double click Personal safe. Now follow the steps of the wizard to set up the Personal Vault. This involves verifying your identity and choosing the authentication method to use each time you open the vault.
Working with the Vault is simple: open File Explorer (or use the OneDrive mobile app) and open Personal Vault. The additional verification method is now deployed and the safe is opened afterwards. After 20 minutes of inactivity, the safe will automatically lock. You can also lock the vault yourself: right-click the OneDrive icon (in the Windows taskbar) and choose Personal safe lock.
Adjust duration
After some time of inactivity, the Personal Vault will automatically lock. If you open the safe via the web environment, a time period of twenty minutes applies. Twenty minutes are also held in the scout. A time limit of three minutes applies to a telephone. You can adjust these default times.
In Windows, right-click the OneDrive icon and choose Settings. In the section Personal safe on the tab Account choose an alternative time. In the OneDrive mobile app, tap the section I and choose you Settings / Personal Vault / Auto Lock. Select the desired duration. In addition, activate the option Lock on exit.
