This Forum article walks you through the account password reset, account recovery process, and offers tips and tricks to help get you into your account as quickly as possible.
A Microsoft account (formerly knowns as Windows Live ID) is what you use to sign in to Microsoft services such as outlook.com (or Hotmail), Office, OneDrive, Skype, Xbox, Windows, and more. It makes your experiences on devices and services more personal and relevant to you.
Watch the Instructional Video on the step by step password reset & recovery
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/videoplayer/embed/RE1ZRwx
Password Reset
If you forgot the password you use to sign in to services like Outlook.com, Skype, OneDrive, and Xbox Live you might need to reset it. First, check to make sure that Caps Lock isn't on, because passwords are case-sensitive. If you're sure you're using the right password but still can't sign in, you may need to reset your Microsoft Account password
To reset your password:
- Go to the Reset your password page - https://aka.ms/MSAPWreset
- The short video provides step by step guide on how to reset your Microsoft Account Password
- To learn more on how you can protect your Microsoft Account, visit https://aka.ms/ProtectMSA
Account Recovery
If resetting your Microsoft Account password does not work, you may still recover your account by answering the Recovery Form. The account recovery form is meant to be the last option to get you back into your account. the recovery form gives you a chance to prove that you own your account.
Fill out Recovery Form
- Go to https://account.live.com/acsr
- Enter a working email address that we can use to contact you about your account recovery
- The short video provides step by step guide on how to recover your Microsoft Account through ACSR
- To lean more on Recovering Microsoft Account, please visit https://aka.ms/MSArecovery
Note:
The account recovery form works by asking questions about your account that only you could answer. Then, we review your answers and respond within 24 hours with either instructions to get back in to your account or a denial. Keep these tips in mind to help you succeed:
- Use a computer we’ll recognize. If possible, fill out the form on a computer that you’ve used to sign in to your account before.
- Answer as many questions as possible. Not all the questions will apply to you, and that's ok. Don't worry if you don't have an answer. But it's better to guess and be close than to leave a question blank.
- Give us a working email to contact you. We won't use this email address for spam, only to give you the results of your recovery request. You can even use a friend's account, or create a free temporary email.
- If you have two-step verification turned on for your account, the recovery form won’t work. When you turn on two-step verification, we promise not to let anyone sign in without two forms of identification, no matter how much information they know about your account. Visit this page to learn more about two step verification