When signing into any product or service using your personal Microsoft account in a web browser, you’ll likely notice the “Keep me signed in” option. It lets you skip re-entering your credentials for every new browser session.
But hold on to your seats: Starting February 2025, Microsoft is flipping the script for users with personal Microsoft accounts. Microsoft will automatically keep you signed in to your account by default, no questions asked. Unless you manually sign out or use private browsing, your account will stay logged in.
Microsoft Will Automatically Keep Users Logged in to Accounts – Why This Matters?
This change may sound convenient, but it has critical implications for security—especially for those using shared or public computers.
When your account stays signed in automatically, you save time by not entering credentials repeatedly. However, this convenience comes at a cost. If you access your account on a shared or public device, staying signed in could expose sensitive information such as emails, OneDrive files, or Teams data to others.
It’s easy to forget to log out—we’re all human, after all. But that small mistake could lead to significant security risks.
How to Prepare for This Change?
It is recommended to practice safe browsing habits and remember to always sign out at the end of the session. Otherwise, your account remains vulnerable to anyone who grabs the device next.
The Best Security Approach: Use Private Browsing
When accessing on shared or public devices, private browsing (incognito mode) is strongly recommended.
Why Private Browsing Is Critical?
✔️ It prevents others from accessing your Microsoft 365 account, OneDrive files, Outlook mailbox, or Teams data after you’re done.
✔️ It keeps sensitive information private by blocking it from being saved on the device.
✔️ It ensures your browsing history and search activities are not stored.
All major web browsers provide a private browsing mode that stops your browsing history, cookies, and site data from being stored on the device. Here’s how to enable private browsing on Windows for some of the most popular browsers.
| Browsers on Windows | Private Browsing Shortcuts |
| Microsoft Edge | CTRL + SHIFT + N |
| Google Chrome | CTRL + SHIFT + N
|
| Mozilla Firefox | CTRL + SHIFT + P
|
| Opera | CTRL + SHIFT + N
|
Even when using private browsing, always close all incognito or private tabs after your session. This added step ensures your account remains secure and reduces any chance of accidental exposure.
Is This Change a Good Move by Microsoft?
While Microsoft might have its reasons—possibly related to enhancing convenience—this change raises concerns for users relying on public or shared devices. For now, it’s vital to adapt to this shift by following safer browsing practices.
Let’s hope Microsoft provides detailed documentation explaining this change soon. Until then, staying proactive with security awareness is the way forward!
