close hotmail account

Hey there, Stan Robertson

Yes please Nathan. I haven't used my hotmail address for years but I dont want to close Outlook or 365. Please help. Stan

More then happy to help bud.

Please can you sign into your Microsoft account on your security page here: https://account.live.com/proofs/manage/additional

Once you have signed into your account, please update your password first. This will mean the hacker will need to know your new password to sign into your Microsoft account.

Once you have done this, I recommend adding the Microsoft Authenticator method onto your Microsoft account. This sends a code to your Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone to verify your sign in request. This helps protect your Microsoft account as the hacker will need you to approve their login request by verifying the number on your Authenticator app. Without this, they can't log into your account.

More information on the Microsoft Authenticator app, including what it is, can be found in this article here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/authenticator/about-microsoft-authenticator

To install the Microsoft Authenticator app, please download Microsoft Authenticator on to your phone using the appropriate link for your phone:

1. iPhone download link: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2273143
2. Android download link: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2273142

Once the app is installed, please go back to your security page here: https://account.live.com/proofs/manage/additional

Please click onto "Add another way to sign-in to your account"

Then click onto "Use an app"

Then please follow the instructions to add your account to the Microsoft Authenticator app.

If you are signed into your Windows account with your Microsoft account. I would also recommend adding "Face, fingerprint, PIN or security key"

This will allow you to use Windows Hello or a passkey to sign into your account with. Adding another way for you to securely sign into your Microsoft account. More information on this can be found here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accounts-billing/security/create-save-passkey

Once you have done this, on your security page, please click Turn on for two-step verification for your account.

When this is turned on, if you sign into your account on an untrusted device (New device), it will require you to verify your sign-in request using the Microsoft Authenticator or another method. This adds an extra layer of protection on your account to prevent unauthorised access.

Once you have done this, please scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says recovery code. Please click onto "Generate a new code"

This code is an account recovery code. Only one code can be used at one time. This code can be used if you no longer have access to your security information and allows you to bypass the security proofs so you can get back onto your Microsoft account.

Please keep this code safe, so if your account is compromised, you still have a way to get back into your Microsoft account. I have mine printed out and stored in a secure place.

The last thing I would do is click onto the option to sign out of your account on all devices. This forces your account to be signed out, and the hacker will have to sign back into your account to gain access again.

Once you have done this, please sign into your account here: https://account.live.com/names/manage

Please just double-check that the hacker hasn't added any of their information here. If they have, please remove it. If not, leave it unless it needs replacing.

Hope this information helps,
Nathan

Yes please Nathan. I haven't used my hotmail address for years but I dont want to close Outlook or 365. Please help. Stan

Hi Nathan. Thanks. I hope this reaches you. My hotmail acct has been hacked but I can still access it. I want to close it but not close my Outlook email acct or my MS365. Is this possible please? Stan

Hey there, Stan Robertson

Unfortunately, in order to close the account, you will first need access to the account. As this has been hacked, you would need to try and gain access to the account using your security proofs when you click onto forgot password. Please can you try and sign into your Microsoft account here: https://account.live.com/proofs/manage/additional

Please enter your Microsoft account email address, then click onto forgot password. Are you able to reset your account password?

If you are, the next thing to do would be to secure your account. I know you want to close your account, but closing your account without updating your security information will allow the hacker to sign back in and cancel the close request. This is because when you mark your account for closure, it gives you 30 or 60 days to cancel this request if needed.

To secure your account, please remove any security information that is not up to date or not yours. Then replace this information with security proofs that are yours and up to date. Once you have done this, and still wish to close your account, please sign into your Microsoft account here: https://account.microsoft.com/profile

Please scroll down to account info and click onto close account.

If you are unable to reset your Microsoft account password, please complete the Microsoft account recovery form here: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2288285

Please make sure you include as much information as possible to allow the Microsoft team to verify you are the account owner. After you have done this, you may want to reach out to Microsoft support through the contact us page here: https://support.microsoft.com/contactUs

By opening a support request with them, and outlining your account has been hacked and what you wish to do, they may be able to explore options with you on what they can do.

I have known Microsoft to suspend/block accounts if they have identified them as being hacked accounts but are unable to reset the account passwords and security information. However, speaking directly to support will allow you and them to explore available options for you.

Hope this helps,
Nathan