Can't get Father's account back.

Question

Can't get Father's account back.

Philip 20

A while ago, my father's Microsoft account was hacked and eventually got locked. At the time, it wasn't much of an issue, so he never went through the recovery process.

I'm now trying to help him recover the account because Windows keeps displaying messages asking him to sign in again.

The problem is that we no longer have access to the phone number linked to the account, and none of the answers he can think of for the security question are being accepted. As a result, we're completely stuck in the recovery process.

He is still signed into the Microsoft account on his Windows PC, but he can't access the account itself through the Microsoft website or verify his identity using the available recovery methods.

Is there anything else we can do to regain access to the account? Are there any alternative recovery options?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

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Answer 1

Hello,

Being signed into Windows does not mean the online Microsoft account is still accessible. Windows is currently using previously cached credentials or a PIN. That Windows session cannot be used to bypass Microsoft’s account-verification process unfortunately.

Unfortunately here we are not Microsoft support, but community forum helper. So there's no way anyone here can review the account or recover the account for you. The best we can do here is to provide you with information (whether it is good news or bad news) and point you to the right direction if the option exists.

Have you already tried the Microsoft’s Sign-in Helper, which identifies the appropriate recovery process for locked or compromised accounts. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accounts-billing/manage/how-to-recover-a-hacked-or-compromised-microsoft-account

If directed to the account recovery form, complete it from your father’s usual computer, at his usual location and internet connection. Include as much accurate information as possible, such as:

Previous passwords

Original name, birth date and address used when the account was created

Exact Outlook email subject lines and contacts

Skype or Xbox information, if applicable

Microsoft purchases or subscription details

The most recent emails he sent or received on that account (I heard this one usually increased chance of approval significantly)

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I also want to point out, Microsoft support cannot manually replace the security information, reveal the correct answers, or send a password-reset link. If two-step verification was enabled and none of the registered verification methods or recovery code are available, Microsoft states that the account cannot be recovered.

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Since Windows still opens, back up all important local files now and create a separate local administrator account before signing out, resetting Windows or removing the Microsoft account. This will prevent losing access to the computer if the cached sign-in later stops working.