LostHour

It’s missing now / Windows PC or laptop

Lost Windows PC or laptop: the first hour

Do these in order. Start with the first one now.

Step 1 happens hereMicrosoft account: Devicesaccount.microsoft.com/devices

Stay safe. Don't go to get it yourself or confront anyone, even if the map shows exactly where it is. If you think it was stolen, give the location to the police and let them recover it. If anyone is in danger, call 911 first.

  1. 0 min

    Look for it on a map

    Sign in at account.microsoft.com/devices, open the Find My Device tab, choose the PC and select Find.

    Source: Microsoft: Find and lock a lost Windows device

  2. 5 min

    Lock it

    On the map select Lock, then Next. Microsoft then advises resetting your password.

    Source: Microsoft: Find and lock a lost Windows device

  3. 15 min

    Change the passwords that matter

    Microsoft account first, then email and any browser that saved passwords.

    Source: Microsoft: Find and lock a lost Windows device

  4. 35 min

    Report it if it was stolen

    Give the police the serial number from your plan. If the map shows where it is, give that location to the police instead of going there yourself.

  5. 45 min

    Check your recovery key is safe

    If the drive was encrypted with BitLocker, find where its recovery key was saved: your Microsoft account (account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey), a file or printout, or your employer if it is a work PC. You need it if the PC comes back.

    Source: Microsoft: Find your BitLocker recovery key

Minute marks are a suggested pace, not a rule. If you think someone is in danger, call 911 first.

Next time, have the numbers ready

A plan keeps each device’s serial, IMEI and carrier number with a playbook like this one, filled in.

Start a plan