How Do I Enable Find My Device on Windows 10 and 11?
Learn how to secure your Windows PC in case of loss or theft.
Thinking back to it now, I never thought much about enabling “Find My Device” on my Windows PC until a friend of mine had a close call at a public gathering. At first, it wasn’t obvious that this feature could save the day, but it certainly did after a quick location search—or as others might call it, a 'locator spell.'
Most of us experience issues like this, whether it’s misplacing a device in a crowded place or worrying about potential theft. We often take our devices for granted until they go missing, and that’s when we realize just how valuable a tracking feature like 'Find My Device' can be.
Enabling 'Find My Device' on your Windows PC can help you locate your lost or stolen device by accessing its last known location through your Microsoft account. Also, it can enable you to remotely lock your device, adding an extra layer of security. It's a simple yet powerful tool that can save you a lot of stress when your device goes missing.
So, how do you enable this life-saving feature on Windows 10 and 11? Let’s dive into the steps to ensure you're set up to avoid future close calls.
Steps to Enable Find My Device on Windows PC
For Windows 10
Step 1. Head over to your Windows "Settings" and select "Update & Security".
Step 2. Click "Find My Device". You can click the "Learn more" link at the bottom of the page if you need more information.
Step 3. If the feature is currently disabled, you'll see a line that says "Find My Device is off." Click the "Change" button to enable the feature.
Step 4. A small window will pop up with a setting labeled "Save my device's location periodically." Click the switch to change that setting from Off to On.
For Windows 11
Step 1. Go to "Settings" and select "Privacy & Security".
Step 2. Under the "Security" section, click on "Find My Device".
Step 3. If the feature is disabled, toggle it to "On". This will ensure your device's location is regularly updated.
Conclusion
Setting up "Find My Device" is quick, easy, and something you'll be grateful for if the unthinkable happens. This is because having the ability to track the location of your lost or stolen PC could make all the difference. You don't have to wait until it's too late. A few minutes to secure your device now — trust me, it’s worth the long-term peace of mind.
Image credit: Kelechi Edeh & Oluwaseun Bamisile/Techloy.com
