Losing an expensive device is not a good situation to be in, and even worse if you can’t find it. Fortunately, we are in an era where you can easily find it, or remotely wipe the device if needed.
There are applications where, for example, in the hope of recovering your laptop, you want to make sure your data stays out of the wrong hands. With Windows 11 there is an app called Find My Device, you can be sure that this does not happen.
With that in mind, here’s our guide on how to use this app, to make sure you can track where your device is, most of the time.
Tools and requirements
Step by step guide
1. Find my device in Settings
(Photo: © Sofia Wyciślik-Wilson)
the find my device The Windows 11 feature is turned off by default, so if you want to use it, you will have to enable it first. Right-click on a file Start button and select settings from the menu that appears, or press Windows key + I at once to open settings Implementation.
Go to Privacy and security to the left and click Find my device The link is in the right pane.
2. Enable Location Settings and Find My Device
(Photo: © Sofia Wyciślik-Wilson)
When you open a file find my device , you may see a warning about turning off location settings. Because this is required for find my device To work, you will need to enable it by clicking Location settings button then move Site services Switch to on me put.
again in find my device page, move a file Find my device Switch to on me position to enable the feature.
3. Check the devices associated with your account
(Photo: © Sofia Wyciślik-Wilson)
Any computer you’ve enabled Find My Device on — whether it’s a desktop or a laptop — will be added to your Microsoft account. With any computer connected to the Internet (or even a Mac or mobile phone), you can check your Microsoft account page to verify which devices you’re monitoring.
Visit https://account.microsoft.com/devices (Opens in a new tab)sign in to your account and you’ll see a list of your devices as well as an indication of whether location services are enabled.
4. Locate your lost or stolen device
(Photo: © Sofia Wyciślik-Wilson)
Whether you misplace your laptop, or your computer is stolen, find my device I will help you track it down. After signing in to your Microsoft account at https://account.microsoft.com/devices (Opens in a new tab)tap on Find my device The link below the entry for the computer you’re trying to locate.
At first you’ll see a map showing the device’s last known location, but this may not be entirely up to date. To update the site, click You find button and wait for the map to be updated.
5. Use of Location Information
(Photo: © Sofia Wyciślik-Wilson)
It may also be the case that the map section is that find my device Shows that you can be identified and is enough to help you locate where you left your laptop, or where the thief may have taken it.
If not, you can navigate your way around the map just as you would with Google Maps – you can click and drag with your mouse or trackpad, and either use the scroll wheel or + And – Buttons on the map to zoom in and out. In the upper right part of the map, you will also see an address.
6. Remotely lock your device
(Photo: © Sofia Wyciślik-Wilson)
If you think your computer has been stolen rather than lost, then you definitely want to prevent anyone who has it from using it and accessing your data.
on me find my device The page you used to locate your device, there is an option to lock your computer so it can’t be used.
tap on a lock enter an optional message to display on your computer screen, and then click a lock.
7. Take advantage of the optional thesis
(Photo: © Sofia Wyciślik-Wilson)
While your first thought might be that the message box could be used to let the thief know that you know where they are, it’s much more useful than that. It could also be the case that you left your laptop in the back of a taxi, on the bus, or in a coffee shop, and you can use the message to give instructions to whoever happens to find it.
You can give your phone number or email address, but it’s probably not a good idea to share your home address.
8. What will happen next
(Photo: © Sofia Wyciślik-Wilson)
When you ping your computer’s location, a message displays on your computer’s screen, so if someone else is using it, they’ll know you’re looking for your device.
If you choose to remotely lock the device—which is the sensible thing to do if it’s stolen—anyone who logs in will be automatically logged out. This provides a reasonable level of protection against misuse of your device or access to your data.
Final thoughts
Computers have become essential to everyday life, so it’s great that Microsoft saw fit to include a device location option in Windows. It’s certainly a valuable tool for anyone who travels frequently with a laptop – although it can also be used to protect a desktop computer. But while the feature built into Windows 11 is handy, it’s not the only option available.
In the same vein is prey (Opens in a new tab) It is available for Windows, as well as macOS operating systems and mobile devices. Although this is a paid product, there is a 14-day trial that allows you to try it out for free.
There are several price points available, each offering a different set of needs to suit everyone from individuals to larger organizations. Another option is DriveStrike (Opens in a new tab)Again, available for all popular desktop and mobile platforms. The 30-day trial gives you a taste of the tracking and geolocation functionality.