Additional Microsoft Defender tools and services that provide security across various platforms and environments
This matches a compromised Microsoft account scenario where the sign-in alias or security info may have been changed.
- First, secure the device that was used:
- Run a full antivirus scan before changing or recovering anything.
- On Windows 8.1 or Windows 10/11, Windows Defender is available from Start by searching for Windows Defender.
- Check whether the email address is still recognized as a Microsoft account:
- Go to the Microsoft account sign-in page at
https://account.microsoft.com. - Enter the Google email address that was linked to the account.
- If a password prompt appears, that email is still a Microsoft account.
- If the message says “We couldn't find an account with that username” or “That Microsoft account doesn't exist,” check the spelling and domain carefully.
- Go to the Microsoft account sign-in page at
- If the account is not recognized or the password stopped working, use the recovery flow:
- Use Recover your account and enter the email address, phone number, or Skype name used to sign in.
- If another alias or phone number was on the account, try that instead.
- Complete the security code verification and set a new password if recovery succeeds.
- If Microsoft shows an unfamiliar verification email or the account appears hacked:
- Use the Microsoft sign-in helper tool for hacked or inaccessible accounts.
- If sign-in fails, on the sign-in page select Forgot my password, then select I think someone else is using my Microsoft account and follow the recovery instructions.
- After access is restored:
- Change the password immediately.
- Review account security on the Security basics page.
- Check Recent activity and mark suspicious sign-ins as This wasn't me or Secure your account.
- Review connected accounts, forwarding, and automatic replies, because these settings may have been changed after compromise.
- If the username still shows as not found after recovery attempts:
- Use the Sign-in Helper tool.
- If the username has stopped working, the support flow in that article says to use Contact support.
- I can't sign in to my Microsoft account
- How to recover a hacked or compromised Microsoft account
- How to check if your email address is a Microsoft account
- My username and password have stopped working
- What happens if there's an unusual sign-in to your account
- Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues