How to track a lost or stolen laptop: Step-by-step guide

Losing a laptop can feel like more than just a work problem. In many cases, it also means losing access to important documents, personal photos, and files that aren’t easy to replace. That’s when the next (and the most common) question usually comes up: how do you track a lost laptop?

If you’re on a Windows laptop or a MacBook, there are built in tools and a few practical options that can help you find your stolen laptop or protect what’s on it. Here’s how to track a lost or stolen laptop on Windows and Mac.

How to track a lost or stolen laptop on Windows

The moment you realise your laptop is missing, it’s important to act quickly. The first priority is to locate your laptop, followed by securing your data in case it ends up in the wrong hands. Both Windows and macOS offer built-in tracking tools, but these must have been enabled before the laptop went missing. Here’s how to track a lost laptop on Windows and macOS:

Windows laptops come with Find My Device, a built-in tool connected to your Microsoft account. Here’s how to track a lost or stolen laptop using it:

Step 1: Confirm Find My Device was enabled

Find My Device must have been turned on in advance. The laptop also needs to be signed in with a Microsoft account; you must have administrator access, location services must be enabled, and the device needs internet access and enough battery power to report its location.

Step 2: Locate the laptop online

Then, go to account.microsoft.com/devices and sign in with your Microsoft account. Open the Find My Device section, select the missing laptop, and check its last known location on the map. If someone is currently using the device, they will see a notification when you attempt to locate it.

Step 3: Lock the laptop remotely

Once the laptop appears on the map, select Lock and confirm. This signs out any active users and prevents access to your files. After locking the device, change your Microsoft account password to reduce the risk of further access.

How to track a lost or stolen laptop on Mac

Similar to Windows, MacBooks use Apple’s Find My service, which is tied to your Apple ID. Here’s how to track a lost or stolen laptop using it:

Step 1: Locate your Mac using Find My

Open the Find My app on another Apple device or sign in at iCloud.com/find. Select the Devices tab, choose your Mac, and view its location on the map. If the Mac is nearby, you can play a sound to help pinpoint it.

Step 2: Lock or mark the Mac as lost

After selecting your Mac, turn on Lost Mode or choose Lock. On Intel-based Macs without a T2 security chip, you can lock the device using a passcode. On Apple silicon Macs, Lost Mode automatically locks the device using your Apple ID and prevents it from being erased or reactivated without your credentials. You can also enable notifications so you’re alerted if the Mac comes back online. As long as it connects to the internet, the Mac can still be tracked while locked.

Step 3: Erase the Mac if recovery seems unlikely

If it appears unlikely that you’ll get the Mac back, you can choose Erase Mac from Find My. This removes all data from the device and prevents anyone else from accessing it. Once erased, the Mac can no longer be tracked.

After attempting to locate the laptop, remove it as a trusted device from your Apple or Microsoft account. Change passwords for important services, starting with your email account, then update passwords for cloud storage, banking apps, shopping sites, and social media accounts. If card details were stored on the laptop, contact your bank and let them know what happened.

It’s also a good idea to contact the laptop manufacturer and report the theft, providing the serial number. In some cases, this allows the device to be flagged or blacklisted.

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If Find My Device or Find My was not enabled before the laptop went missing, tracking it won’t be possible. In that situation, you should secure your accounts, report the theft, and take steps to reduce the risk of your personal data being misused.