Windows keeps asking me to verify my account every time I login to my desktop

Cave_Painter 0 Reputation points
2026-11-09T11:23:09.2566667+00:00

I have 2 Windows PC's, both running Windows 11 Pro. A desktop, giving me the Windows login problems, and a laptop that doesn't.

  1. Turn on the desktop each morning. This gives me the expected logon screen (image Logon01.JPG).Logon01
  2. Press a button/click mouse, I get my account image and account (both hidden in the attached image - Logon02.JPG).Logon02
  3. Click the Sign In link, I get the image Logon03.JPG. It's a bit blurry - at the top it has recognised the account I logon with (@hotmail.com), but rather than asking for my password, it's asking to verify my account, using one of my account verification email addresses (@yahoo.co.uk). I've done this over several days, but am asked again the next day. Another option on this screen is to use another option to verify my account (the exact words are blurred on the image I'm afraid - Logon03.JPG). This time I choose the link for that option.Logon03
  4. That gives me the Choose a way to sign in form. This form includes 3 options, either Use my Password, or use one of the verification email addresses attached to my account (Image Logon04.JPG). This time I choose Use my Password.Logon04
  5. Image Logon05.JPG is a pretty standard Microsoft login password form. I complete the password and press the Sign In button. Logon05
  6. Note that on my laptop, using the same account, I've gone from the start screen (#1 above, image Logon01.JPG), straight to the invite to enter a password, on the same start screen, without steps 2-5, and I'm straight into Windows.
  7. Back to the desktop PC, after entering the password, I get another screen asking me to verify my identity (image Logon06.JPG). Regardless of which I choose, I get a similar screen.Logon06
  8. Logon07.JPG asks me to type in the full email address I want to use to verify my account.Logon07
  9. So I do that, enter the code, and I'm finally in Windows.

This started happening on my desktop occasionally, it was a bit of a pain, but not a big deal. Until over the last few weeks it's now happening every morning. I've tried searching forums and using the Microsoft support facility (including the AI chat facility, each of which are now useless as far as my problem is concerned), and found similar problems on forums without finding anything that helps. Hoping that the screenshots help, but aware that a long post like this, while trying to cover the problem, may put people off reading the whole thing.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Accounts, profiles, and login
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  1. AI answer

    2026-11-09T11:23:42.63+00:00

    This behavior matches a sign-in/account synchronization problem on that desktop rather than a password problem, especially since the same Microsoft account signs in normally on the laptop.

    The supported fix is to disconnect the Microsoft account from Windows on the affected desktop, restart, and then connect it again.

    Steps:

    1. Sign in to the desktop using the password path that still works.
    2. Open Settings > Accounts > Your info.
    3. Under the Microsoft account section, select Sign in as a local account.
    4. Select Next.
    5. Enter the current Microsoft account password or Windows sign-in password when prompted.
    6. Enter the local account details and complete Sign out and finish.
    7. Restart the PC.
    8. After restart, go back to Settings > Accounts > Your info.
    9. Reconnect the Microsoft account to Windows.

    This is intended to clear the account sync state that can cause repeated verification prompts.

    If sign-in prompts continue after reconnecting the account, also try these supported checks:

    1. From the sign-in screen, use I forgot my password or I forgot my PIN if either option appears.
    2. Restart the device fully. If updates are pending, use Update and restart.
    3. On the lock screen, confirm the desktop has internet access by selecting the Network icon. If Wi‑Fi is unstable, try Ethernet.
    4. If the issue appears tied to verification methods, avoid repeated attempts. For temporary blocks, try another verification method, try another network, or wait up to 24 hours before retrying.

    If unrequested verification codes are ever received, do not approve or use them unless the sign-in was initiated intentionally.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

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