Don’t panic! Here’s how to track a Windows laptop and multiple devices

The FBI reports that laptops are stolen every single day. If you’re a personal laptop owner dealing with a stolen device, you may be facing lost data, sentimental pictures, and other files. However, suppose you're a corporate IT or physical security officer in charge of hundreds or even thousands of devices that hold millions of dollars worth of organizational data. In that case, a stolen device can cost you a lot more. 

According to Microsoft, 100 percent of Fortune 500 companies and 1 in 7 people worldwide use Windows 10 devices. That means that even a large organization with an impressively low turnover rate is still handing out hundreds or thousands of these devices to new employees every year. So for Windows laptops, it's key to use specific tracking and security solutions on this tech. For example, the right security software package specialized for Windows can help you track a stolen or lost item quickly and have a greater chance of securing it in your possession.

There are three main reasons (and several ancillary ones) to track Windows equipment efficiently that your company issues to employees:

1. Protect Company Property: Technology costs money.
2. Secure Confidential Data: Devices contain sensitive corporate information.
3. Prevent Unauthorized Access: Devices can be entry points into your corporate network.

Let’s dive into the benefits of a Windows tracking solution for your company, how these trackers locate devices, and which tracker may be best for you.

Built-in Windows tracking options

If your laptop ever goes missing, the first line of defense is already built into your system. Windows 10 and Windows 11 include a native tracking feature called Find My Device, designed to help users locate a lost or stolen computer through their Microsoft account.

This feature is especially useful for individuals or small teams who want a simple way to see where their devices are—but it’s limited when it comes to fleet management or large-scale IT visibility. Still, understanding how it works is a great starting point before you consider more advanced enterprise solutions like Prey.

Enable ‘Find My Device’ in Windows 10 & 11

Before you can track your Windows laptop, you need to ensure that the Find My Device feature is turned on. This tool uses your device’s location services and links it to your Microsoft account, allowing you to pinpoint its location on a map if it ever goes missing.

Here’s how to enable it:

1. Open the Start menu and select Settings.
2. Go to Privacy & Security → Location.
3. Turn Location Services On to allow Windows to record your device’s location.
4. Navigate to Find My Device and switch the feature On.
   
   

Once you’ve completed these steps, your laptop will periodically send its location to Microsoft’s servers. You can view this information anytime by visiting your Find My Device dashboard and signing in with the same Microsoft account used on your laptop.

There, you’ll see a visual map showing the last known location of all your registered Windows devices. The dashboard also displays helpful details such as device names, serial numbers, and last-seen timestamps, giving you a quick snapshot of where each computer was last active.

How to lock or erase a lost laptop remotely

If your laptop has been lost or stolen, the Find My Device dashboard also lets you take immediate action. While it doesn’t offer the same level of control as dedicated endpoint tracking software, it gives you two essential tools: Lock and Find.

• Find: Updates your device’s last known location when it’s connected to the internet. You’ll see the exact area on the map, helping you determine whether it’s still nearby or on the move.
• Lock: Secures the device remotely, signing out any active users and displaying a custom message—such as a contact number or “Return if found” note—on the lock screen. This is especially useful if your device was accidentally misplaced and you want to encourage someone to return it.

If recovery seems unlikely, you can also erase your laptop remotely to protect sensitive data. However, this option should be used carefully, as once executed, the system can no longer be tracked or recovered through this feature.

Limitations to keep in mind:

• The laptop must be powered on, connected to the internet, and signed in to your Microsoft account.
• Tracking will not update if the device is turned off, disconnected, or factory reset.
• The accuracy of the reported location depends on the device’s GPS and network signal strength.

These limitations make Microsoft’s native tool a great first response solution for individuals—but not a complete strategy for organizations that need to track dozens or hundreds of Windows laptops simultaneously.

That’s where dedicated solutions like Prey come in: scalable, secure, and designed for real-time tracking, auditing, and remote management across your entire device fleet.

Beyond Microsoft — tracking several Windows devices in your company

When you’re managing just one or two laptops, Microsoft’s Find My Device feature can be enough. But when you’re responsible for dozens—or even hundreds—of Windows laptops across a distributed workforce, you need a lot more than a map with a single pin.

Modern IT teams need real-time visibility, centralized control, and automated responses to keep company assets secure. That’s where specialized endpoint tracking platforms come in—solutions designed not just to find missing devices, but to help you manage, protect, and report on every machine in your network.

Why built-in tools fall short for IT teams

Microsoft’s built-in tracking tools were never meant for enterprise-scale management. While they’re useful for individuals, IT administrators quickly run into roadblocks when trying to use them across a device fleet.

Here’s why:

• No real-time monitoring. Find My Device only updates location data periodically and requires manual refreshes. There’s no live tracking, no automatic alerts, and no way to view historical movement data.
• No unified dashboard. Each device must be managed separately through a Microsoft account. This makes it nearly impossible to oversee large groups of laptops or generate reports on your full inventory.

These gaps leave IT teams with limited insight, delayed response times, and unnecessary manual work when quick, informed decisions matter most.

Enterprise solutions for multi-device tracking

For businesses, the answer lies in centralized device tracking platforms built for scale and security—and that’s exactly where Prey makes a difference.

Prey gives IT teams a unified dashboard to monitor every Windows device in real time—alongside macOS, Android, and iOS systems—all from one secure interface. Designed to go beyond simple location tracking, Prey provides a complete toolkit for visibility and control, including:

• GPS and network-based location tracking for precise device visibility anywhere in the world.
• Geofencing alerts that notify admins when a device leaves a defined area.
• Remote lock and wipe commands to secure sensitive data instantly if a laptop is lost or stolen.
• Audit logs and recovery reports that document every action taken for compliance and accountability.

Prey integrates seamlessly with Windows, macOS, and mobile platforms, allowing IT teams to manage mixed device environments with confidence. With features like encrypted communication, multi-user access, and customizable reports, it empowers organizations to maintain control—without invading employee privacy.

In short, Prey transforms tracking from a reactive task into a proactive security strategy, helping businesses protect their assets, data, and reputation no matter where their devices go.

How to set up GPS tracking for business laptops

Once your organization moves beyond basic tracking tools, GPS monitoring becomes a cornerstone of device security. With Prey, IT teams gain precise, real-time visibility across all company laptops—without compromising user privacy or system performance.

Prey’s tracking system combines GPS signals, Wi-Fi triangulation, and network data to pinpoint a device’s location as accurately as possible. Every time a laptop connects to the internet, its position is securely updated in the admin dashboard. From there, IT administrators can:

• View a laptop’s current or last-known location on a map.
• Trigger real-time location updates when a device is flagged as missing.
• Access activity logs and recovery reports to support compliance or audits.

Unlike consumer tracking tools, Prey’s location system is built around privacy-first principles. All location data is encrypted end-to-end and accessible only to authorized users. Tracking is designed to protect assets, not invade employee privacy—ensuring full compliance with organizational and legal standards.

What are the best practices for security, privacy, and compliance in device tracking?

When tracking business laptops, data protection must go hand in hand with location visibility. The goal isn’t just to find lost hardware—it’s to secure company data while maintaining trust with employees.

Here are key best practices every IT department should follow:

• Encrypt everything. Ensure laptops use full-disk encryption, and that GPS and tracking data are encrypted both in transit and at rest.
• Get employee consent. Transparency is crucial. Communicate how and why tracking is used, particularly for company-owned devices that may leave office premises.
• Implement ethical tracking policies. Clearly define when tracking can be activated and who has authorization to access location data.
• Perform regular audits. Review access permissions and retention policies frequently to ensure accountability and compliance.

Prey follows security-by-design principles, ensuring encrypted communication, protected storage, and full action logs for audit trails. Every event—whether a remote lock, data wipe, or location update—is documented, making compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy frameworks straightforward and verifiable.

How to prevent laptop loss and improve recovery in your company

Even with strong tracking tools in place, prevention remains your best defense. A few proactive measures can drastically reduce device loss and make recovery faster if incidents occur.

Here’s how to strengthen your endpoint security and recovery workflow:

• Run regular audits. Maintain an updated inventory of all laptops, assigned users, and last-seen logs to spot irregularities early.
• Label and record serial numbers. Marking laptops and logging identifiers speeds up proof of ownership during recovery or insurance claims.
• Integrate device management policies. Pair Prey with your MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution to automate security protocols and incident response.
• Enable remote lock and wipe in advance. These safeguards must be active before a loss occurs—activation after the fact is too late.
• Maintain frequent backups. Secure backups ensure your business operations continue even if a device cannot be recovered.

Why proactive Windows laptop tracking matters

Laptops move as freely as the people who use them. That flexibility brings new risks—lost devices, data exposure, and compliance headaches.

By combining Microsoft’s native “Find My Device” feature with enterprise-grade solutions like Prey, organizations gain a complete layer of visibility and control.

Prey turns location tracking into a proactive security strategy, offering real-time GPS visibility, geofencing, and remote actions that protect both hardware and sensitive information.

With privacy-first design and compliance built in, it empowers IT teams to secure assets without sacrificing trust.

‍Frequently asked questions about tracking Windows laptops

1. Can a Windows laptop be tracked if it’s turned off?

No. Tracking requires an internet connection and active power. Once the laptop reconnects to Wi-Fi or cellular data, solutions like Prey automatically update its last known location.

2. How can I track my Windows laptop without installing new software?

You can use Microsoft’s built-in Find My Device feature if it was enabled before the device went missing. However, it’s limited to one-time updates and individual accounts.
For real-time, multi-device monitoring, use Prey.

3. What’s the most secure way to locate company laptops?

Use a centralized tracking platform like Prey that encrypts location data, supports remote lock and wipe, and provides audit logs for compliance. This ensures device security without exposing employee information.

4. Can I track laptops running different operating systems?

Yes. Prey supports Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, allowing IT teams to manage and locate all devices from a single dashboard.

5. What should I do if my laptop was factory-reset or reformatted?

If tracking software was erased, the device won’t report its location. Report the incident to Prey’s dashboard (if previously enrolled) and provide the serial number to local authorities for asset identification.

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