Locked out of my onedrive

Question

Locked out of my onedrive

Femke Verstuyft 0

I can no longer log in to my email account because there was a “suspicious login attempt.” The options I’m given to log in again are an email address that no longer exists or a phone number that no longer exists. I now have a new email address and a new cell phone number. I also hadn’t set up two-step verification yet, so I can’t use that either. When I try to enter my password, after just one attempt I get a message saying I can’t try again because there have already been too many attempts on that account. I’ve tried several times to fill out a Microsoft Account Reinstatement Form, but my requests keep getting rejected. I don’t know what else I can do.

The fact that I can’t access my email anymore isn’t that big of a deal, because I’ve already created a different email address in the meantime. The only problem is that this old email is still linked to my OneDrive. So I can no longer access the files on my OneDrive. If I understand correctly, these files are locked until my request is approved (but it’s already been rejected 10 times).

Is there any other way to get my files from OneDrive onto my computer? I’m at my wits’ end because these files are extremely important. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

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Answer 1

Hey there, Femke Verstuyft

Sorry to read that you are unable to get your OneDrive files because of the too many log-in attempts block that is in place.

I can no longer log in to my email account because there was a “suspicious login attempt.” The options I’m given to log in again are an email address that no longer exists or a phone number that no longer exists.

If you no longer have access to the security information on your account, you will need to complete the Microsoft account recovery form here: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2288285

When completing this form, please include as much information as possible. This will allow Microsoft to verify you are the owner of the account. Further information on how to complete this form can be found in this article here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accounts-billing/manage/help-with-the-microsoft-account-recovery-form

The only problem is that this old email is still linked to my OneDrive. So I can no longer access the files on my OneDrive. If I understand correctly, these files are locked until my request is approved (but it’s already been rejected 10 times).

Yes, you are correct with this. Until you are able to get access to your Microsoft account, you won't be able to sign into the OneDrive website to get access to your files.

However, it is worth noting that if you have downloaded the files onto your PC/device through the OneDrive sync client, you will be able to copy these files to your downloads folder and be able to access them offline. This will only allow you to get files you have recently opened, and will only have changes that were synced to them from a previous successful login on the sync client.

Please can you have a look at your PC and check if you have any documents that are available.

If you know your password, but are getting blocked due to login attempts. Please can you wait 8 to 24 hours and try again. It may be worth trying to sign into your account through an InPrivate browsing window to see if this makes a difference.

Please can you also use the sign-in helper tool which will identify any problems and how to resolve them here: https://aka.ms/sign-in-helper

Hope this information helps,
Nathan

Femke Verstuyft 0 Reputation points

2026-08-27T09:22:36.5166667+00:00

Hi Nathan, Thanks for this reply! I did indeed find some older files by looking through my downloads. Unfortunately, I’ve only had this PC for two years, so the files from before were never available on this computer. I filled out the form and have already received a rejection. I’m now asking around among colleagues, friends, family, etc., to get more information about my previous email address. Is it really true that if I get another rejection, there’s absolutely no other way I’ll ever be able to access my files?
Nathan R 915 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-27T09:35:34.7666667+00:00

Hey there, Femke Verstuyft

With the Microsoft account recovery form, the only limit is that you can only complete it two times per day. In terms of the Microsoft account reinstatement form, I am not sure if there is a limit. I suspect there is, but couldn't find it in any public documentation Microsoft has. But this form does go to the Microsoft digital safety team, from looking at where this form is stored.

In terms of getting your files back, at the bottom of the form here: https://www.microsoft.com/digitalsafety/account-reinstatement

It states the following,

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may also have the right to file a complaint with your local data protection authority or with the Irish Data Protection Commission. Additionally, you may have the right to seek redress through a competent court.

So this may mean you need to contact your local data protection authority. Other then that, I am unsure of any other way you could get your files, unless they have been shared with other people who could download them and share them with you on a new email address.

Seeing what information people can gather for you so you can fill out the form would be a better option. If you can get the security information on the account changed, it should allow you to sign into your Microsoft account so you can access OneDrive and your files.

Hope this helps,
Nathan