Suspicious Login Issues

How to Review Recent Devices and Sign-In Activity on a Microsoft Account

Camila Milosovich Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to review recent login attempts, connected devices, and locations on their Microsoft account to investigate potential unauthorized access or missing emails.

How to Review Recent Devices and Sign-In Activity on a Microsoft Account

Product: Microsoft Account
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Investigating unfamiliar account access, suspicious login alerts, or missing emails.
Observed behavior: The user requires access to a detailed log of recent sign-in attempts, locations, devices, and applications associated with their Microsoft account to ensure its security.

Before you start

Ensure you have your current Microsoft account credentials ready, and if you suspect immediate unauthorized access, be prepared to change your password and update your recovery methods.

Solution 1Recommended

Review Recent Activity via the Microsoft Security Page

Use this method to access the official Microsoft security dashboard and review a detailed log of your account's recent sign-in history.

The Microsoft account Recent Activity page displays details about when and where you've used your account within the last 30 days. It includes successful sign-ins, incorrect password attempts, and the devices or applications used.

Access the Security Basics Page

Open your web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft account security page at account.microsoft.com/security. Sign in using your email address and password.

Open the Recent Activity Log

On the Security dashboard, locate the 'Sign-in activity' section and click on the 'Review activity' button.

Inspect Login Attempts

Scroll through the list to check for unfamiliar successful sign-ins, unusual locations, or unrecognized devices and applications.

Secure Your Account

If you spot suspicious activity, immediately secure your account by changing your password, enabling two-step verification, and selecting the option to sign out of all active sessions.

Review Recent Activity via the Microsoft Security Page

Session Types: Pay attention to the 'Session Type' column. It will tell you whether the login attempt was successful, blocked, or if an incorrect password was entered.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How far back does the Microsoft recent activity page show sign-ins?

The Microsoft Recent activity page typically retains and displays your sign-in history and device access records for the past 30 days.

What should I do if I see an unfamiliar successful sign-in?

You should immediately change your Microsoft account password, enable two-step verification, and review your account recovery methods (like backup email and phone number) to ensure the unauthorized user cannot regain access.

Will changing my password automatically sign me out of all devices?

Changing your password will eventually force a sign-out on most devices, but for immediate security, you should use the 'Sign me out' option in your Microsoft account security settings to force an immediate log out across all active sessions.

Microsoft Office Security Issues