Regaining Access To An Account

ProjectRejected 0 Reputation points
2026-08-29T09:35:35.67+00:00

Hello, I lost access to a personal outlook account of mine about 2-3 years ago due to the fact I don't remember the password, and because of that I no longer can access to information that I have had saved in the account which was important. I also can't login to websites or apps that I have used with the outlook account which has prevented me from contacting friends and family members of mine as well. I tried to do the account recovery form many times after I lost my account but since then I have had no luck. Mostly because I can't remember the passwords I had associated with the account except for 2 specific and old passwords that I used back then but that wasn't enough. There's also a phone number linked to the outlook account but unfortunately I don't have access to it anymore as well. Is there a solution for me to regain access to my lost outlook account?

Outlook | Web | Outlook.com | Account management, security, and privacy

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. John Jefferson Doyon 87,635 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-29T10:15:47.7766667+00:00

    Hi, @ProjectRejected

    May I know when was the last time you were able to access that Microsoft account? I ask because Microsoft may permanently close accounts that haven’t been used for over 2 years.

    Also, please try searching for the account using these steps from Microsoft: https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/forgotten-your-microsoft-account-username-b2049472-3b8f-27d3-61c6-67a668453f4c Click on "Search" and follow the instructions provided.

    If you receive any error messages, such as “account doesn’t exist” or anything else, please let me know.

    Click "Add comment" to let me know.

    Regards,

    John J.D.

    Was this answer helpful?

  2. AI answer

    2026-08-29T09:35:49.83+00:00

    If the account has been inaccessible for more than two years, it may have been deleted and can no longer be reopened.

    If the account still exists, the supported recovery path is:

    1. Try the Sign-in Helper first to check the account and guide the next steps.
    2. If password reset is not possible because the old phone number is no longer accessible, use the account recovery form.
    3. Complete the recovery form from a device and location previously used with that account, if possible.
    4. Provide as much detail as possible, including:
      • old passwords that may have been used
      • exact Outlook.com or Hotmail.com email subject lines
      • contacts that were emailed from that account
      • older account details that may have been entered when the account was created
    5. Use a working email address for the recovery request so Microsoft can respond.

    Important limits:

    • If two-step verification was turned on and there is no access to any alternate verification method, support agents cannot reset the password or change account details.
    • If the recovery form has already failed, the only supported next step is to submit it again with more accurate or additional information.
    • If the account username is no longer recognized, use the Sign-in Helper. If it still says the account does not exist, review the guidance for usernames that stopped working.

    Relevant tools and pages from Microsoft support:

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.