Managing personal Outlook.com account settings, security, and privacy
The fastest supported path is:
- Start with the Sign-in Helper tool. It is the recommended first step before the account recovery form.
- If the account was hacked, follow the compromised account flow:
- First run a full antivirus or malware scan on the PC before changing the password.
- Then try to change or reset the password.
- After access is restored, check account settings such as connected accounts, forwarding, and automatic replies.
- If password reset does not work and two-step verification is not enabled, use the Microsoft account recovery form.
- For the recovery form:
- Use a working email account that can receive Microsoft’s response.
- Provide as much information as possible.
- For Outlook.com/Hotmail accounts, exact email subject lines and contact details can help.
- Old passwords can also help.
- If unsure on some answers, complete as much as possible anyway.
- After submitting the recovery form, Microsoft sends the result to the working email address provided within 24 hours.
- If the account is verified, instructions to sign back in are sent there.
- If not verified, the form can be retried up to two times per day.
Important limits:
- If two-step verification was turned on and none of the alternate verification methods are accessible, support agents cannot reset the password or change account details.
- Support agents and advocates are not allowed to send password reset links or access and change account details.
If the Outlook.com account is blocked because of unusual sign-in activity, use the Sign-in Helper to unblock it. If that does not work, use the Microsoft account sign-in guidance and support options.
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