What credentials to use when account is Microsoft (i.e. non-local) and a service requires authentication?

Question

I am running Windows 11 Home. I created a Microsoft account (instead of a local one) when setting up my computer. My backup software runs as a service. It needs account credentials from me to run. When I try to use my Hotmail email login associated with my Microsoft account and my password, I get an error. When I used to run under a local account under Windows 10, my local account credentials worked fine. How do I authenticate to backup software and the network (for that matter)?

Answer 1

Hello,

When you're using a Microsoft account to log into Windows and you need to provide credentials for a service that requires authentication, you might face some challenges due to the nature of how Microsoft accounts work. Here's what you need to consider and how to address the issue:

App Passwords for Microsoft Accounts:

Microsoft accounts often use two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added security. As a result, some applications or services that don't natively support 2FA might not be able to use your standard Microsoft account password.

To overcome this, Microsoft allows you to generate "App Passwords" specifically for applications or devices that don't support modern authentication methods. You generate these app passwords in your Microsoft account security settings and use them instead of your regular account password when configuring the service.

Here's how you can generate an app password:

Sign in to your Microsoft account.

Go to Security settings.

Look for "App passwords" or a similar option.

Generate an app password and use it in your backup software.

Local Account for Service Authentication:

If the app passwords don't work for your backup software or you'd rather not use them, you can consider creating a local user account specifically for the backup service.

Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.

Under "Other users," click on "Add someone else to this PC."

Click on "I don't have this person's sign-in information."

Click on "Add a user without a Microsoft account."

Set up a local user account and password.

Make sure this user has the necessary permissions for the backup software and network access.

After setting up the local user account, use its credentials for your backup software.

Network Access:

If the backup software needs network access, make sure the local user account (or the Microsoft account if you're using app passwords) has the necessary permissions to access the network resources. This might involve setting up the appropriate sharing settings and granting permissions on shared folders or network devices.

Remember that using app passwords or creating a local user account for the service provides an additional layer of security by isolating service access from your main Microsoft account. Always ensure you're following best security practices and keeping your credentials secure.

Lastly, the exact steps might vary slightly between Windows 10 and Windows 11, but the general concepts and settings should be similar.

I used AI provided by ChatGPT to formulate part of this response. I have verified that the information is accurate before sharing it with you.

Hope this resolves your Query !!

--If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept it as an answer–