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Microsoft Account Recovery

Locked out of Outlook, Hotmail, Xbox, Microsoft 365, or OneDrive? They all share one Microsoft account, so recovering that account restores everything at once. This guide covers the password reset, the aka.ms/recover form for when you've lost your recovery email and phone, and how to secure the account after a hack.

Recovery Methods

Reset your password

  1. Go to account.live.com/password/reset
  2. Enter your email, phone, or Skype name
  3. Choose a recovery method (email or SMS code)
  4. Enter the code and set a new password

Use the account recovery form

  1. Open aka.ms/recover when you have no recovery email or phone
  2. Answer as many ownership questions as you can — old passwords, creation date, contacts
  3. Submit from a device and location you've used before
  4. Watch for Microsoft's decision, usually within 24 hours

Recover a hacked account

  1. Regain access via reset or the recovery form
  2. Change your password and remove the attacker's recovery info
  3. Review recent activity at account.microsoft.com
  4. Turn on two-step verification

Get AI-guided account recovery

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Microsoft account recovery take?

A password reset with a working recovery method takes a few minutes. If you use the account recovery form at aka.ms/recover, Microsoft typically responds within 24 hours. The more account details you provide accurately (old passwords, creation date, frequent contacts), the higher your chance of a fast approval.

Can I recover my Microsoft account without the recovery email or phone?

Yes. Use the recovery form at aka.ms/recover. Instead of a security code, you prove ownership by answering questions about the account — previous passwords, the month and year you created it, email subject lines, folder names, and recent contacts. Fill in as many as you can; partial answers still count.

Will I lose my Outlook email or OneDrive files during recovery?

No. Recovering a Microsoft account does not delete your data. Your email, OneDrive files, Xbox profile, and 365 license all sit behind your credentials and reappear the moment you regain access. Never delete or re-create the account while recovery is in progress — that can permanently remove the data.

My Xbox account is locked — is that the same as my Microsoft account?

Yes. Xbox sign-in uses your Microsoft account, so recovering the Microsoft account restores your gamertag, achievements, friends, and digital games. Start with the standard Microsoft password reset or recovery form; there is no separate Xbox-only recovery.

Someone hacked my account and changed everything. Can I still get it back?

Often yes. Even when an attacker changes the password, recovery email, and phone, the recovery form at aka.ms/recover lets you prove you are the original owner. Once back in, change your password, remove the attacker's recovery info, check recent activity, and turn on two-step verification immediately.

How do I avoid Microsoft recovery scams?

Only use Microsoft's own domains — account.live.com, account.microsoft.com, and aka.ms/recover. Microsoft never asks for your password by email or phone, and no legitimate service (including us) needs your password or 2FA codes. If someone contacts you offering to 'recover' your account for a fee upfront in exchange for your login, it's a scam.

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