Hello, and greetings from Sydney, Australia!
Before I start describing my problem, here are the relevant details of my system software configuration:
Hardware:
Standard Desktop PC, Intel processor, AMD graphics, 4GB RAM, no hardware problems, and all device drivers fully updated. (Further details unnecessary, as this is a problem with software only, not with hardware).
Software:
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 x64
OS Updates Installed:
Important: ALL
Recommended: MOST (except those that failed, which, after lots of wasted time in research, turned out to be unnecessary, anyway, so now, they are hidden).
Optional: ONLY A FEW (most are unnecessary and are hidden, e.g., all language packs other than US or UK or AU English).
Web Browsers:
Microsoft Internet Explorer v11.0.9600.17959 (x64)
Mozilla Firefox v40.0.3 (x86)
Google Chrome v44.0.2.2403.157 m (64-bit)
Problem Description:
Some time ago, I set up "Two-Step Verification" on my outlook.com account.
I have the "Microsoft Account" app on my Android phone, which is NEVER out of my possession, and I use that to approve the signin request.
Before I tap "Approve," I make sure that the checkbox next to "I sign in frequently <...> here." is checked, as I live alone, I am the only user of my computer, and I am the only person who has physical access to it.
I use three different web browsers: Internet Explorer 11, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.
Here is a step-by-step description of my sign-in procedure, along with what happens every time I want to sign in.
1. Browse to outlook.com "Sign In" page.
2. Enter user name. (Email or Phone number - I use email).
3. Enter password.
4. Check "I sign in frequently on this device. Don't ask me to approve requests here."
5. Tap "Approve" on mobile device.
6. Check Inbox, then sign out.
7. Repeat Steps 1 - 3. I am again presented with request for security code.
8. Repeat Steps 4 & 5...
Every time I try to sign into my Microsoft account, (regardless of whether I'm trying to sign into Outlook Mail or general account profile management or Microsoft Community or Microsoft Support), the same thing happens, over and over again, regardless of browser used.
Every time I attempt to sign in, I have to repeat the Two-Step Verification, even though I have previously checked the "I sign in frequently..." checkbox.
Because all three web browsers exhibit the same behaviour, I am inclined to think that the two-step verification is not working properly at the Microsoft end, rather than it being a browser problem.
However, whilst I do admit that it is possible that there could be some aspect of Two-Step Verification that I have configured incorrectly, I cannot see what that incorrectly-configured aspect might be, and anyway, I never had this problem until recently: in the past, I have always checked the "I sign in frequently..." box, and have never had to approve any further requests unless I had performed any (or all) of the following procedures, with any (or all) of my three browsers:
1. Cleared all browser cookies
2. Uninstalled and reinstalled the browser
3. Reset the browser defaults
Moreover, if I performed any (or all) of these procedures on any single browser, it affected only the browser in question; it did not affect the other two browsers.
I seems to me that something is preventing my account login at Outlook.com from setting a cookie that tells each of my browsers that I am already verified in that browser, and that no further verification is necessary. (I have actually specified that the cookie should be set, by checking the box provided). Considering that Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome are totally different browsers, built on completely different codebases, I seriously doubt that this is a browser problem.
Also, I should mention that all my browsers are configured to accept all cookies, and not to delete them on exit, (which is default behaviour on every browser I have ever used).
Furthermore, I also should mention that I have other accounts configured with Two-Step Verification, (2FA, or Two Factor Authentication), e.g., Google, Facebook and Twitter, and I only ever have to go through the 2FA procedure once, provided that I make sure that the appropriate box is checked on the respective signin page; subsequent logins to any of those accounts do not generate further requests for security codes, unless I have performed any (or all) of the browser procedures mentioned above.
I hope that my description of this problem is sufficiently clear and detailed for any readers of this post, and that someone might be able to point me to some account setting that I may have overlooked. Far be it from me to suggest that my problem might be Microsoft's fault; I am quite open to the possibility that I may well have misconfigured something in my account.
Thanks in advance for any help that any of you might be inclined to give me.
Best regards
Christopher Souter
(Sydney, Australia)