Managing personal Outlook.com account settings, security, and privacy
Manual restoration by support is not available for Microsoft accounts. Support agents are not allowed to send password reset links or access and change account details.
Use this recovery path:
- Start with the Sign-in Helper.
- This is the recommended tool for hacked or compromised Microsoft accounts.
- It can guide to self-help steps or offer the chance to talk to an agent.
- If access is still blocked, complete the Account recovery form.
- Use a working email address that can receive the recovery result.
- If possible, submit the form from a device previously used to sign in and from a familiar location such as home or office.
- Include as much detail as possible, including old passwords, Outlook or Skype details if applicable, and Xbox console information such as the hardware ID from a console used frequently.
- Results are sent to the working email within 24 hours.
- If not verified, the form can be retried up to two times per day.
- If two-step verification was turned on and none of the alternate verification methods are accessible, recovery cannot be completed through support or the recovery form.
- If the account shows "Your security info change is still pending" or "You can't access this site right now", that means all previous security info was removed and replaced, and the account remains in a restricted state for 30 days while the change takes effect.
- After regaining access, review the account settings that are commonly changed after compromise:
- connected accounts
- forwarding
- automatic replies
Before changing the password, run a full antivirus or malware scan on the PC. On Windows 8.1 and Windows 10/11, Windows Defender is available for malware protection.
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