email account linked to my account that is not mine

If the sign-in prompt is offering a phone number or email address that is not recognized, first verify that the account name is being entered exactly correctly, including the full domain. Microsoft notes that similar addresses and different domains can cause this, such as country-specific variants.

If the address is correct and the backup email still is not recognized:

1. At the verification prompt, select I don't have any of these if that option is available, then follow the recovery prompts.
2. Use the Sign-in helper to check the account and identify the sign-in issue: Sign-in helper
3. If this is a work or school account, contact the organization’s IT admin. Password reset and sign-in method recovery for work or school accounts are handled by the organization.
4. If this is a personal Microsoft account, and the recovery email shown is not accessible, use the account recovery path described in the sign-in helper flow.

If the account is actually a personal Microsoft account, also note that verification codes sent by email can only go to the primary alias or to another email that was added as a way to verify sign-in. That is why the address shown at sign-in might not appear under alias management.

If the issue is only that the verification code is not arriving, check these common causes:

• The code may be going to the wrong mailbox.
• The message may be in Junk.
• Repeated code requests can temporarily block delivery.
• Security blocks due to unusual activity can delay or stop code delivery.

• Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account
• Microsoft account sign-in helper
• I can't sign in to my Microsoft account
• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• Change the email address for your Microsoft account