How to recover a hotmail account

Ian S 0 Reputation points
2025-12-05T14:40:29.6533333+00:00

A year ago, I created a hotmail account. During the creation process, my password manager died and the generated password was never saved. The account was created, but I could never log in. I have never been able to log in.

If I try a password reset, I receive an account recovery code and when I follow the reset process, I get to the end and it says my account has been blocked and I should follow the recovery process.

When I follow the recovery process, it sends me a verification code, I enter it, and it asks me for the last 3 people I emailed and the subjects of the messages. I have never sent an email, so I cannot answer these questions. At this point, it kicks me back to the start of the recovery process.

The next step is to follow the contact customer support from the Microsoft Account Sign-in Helper but that requires me to sign in before it allows me to chat with support!

Next I actually called Microsoft but their AI assistant refuses to connect me to a human, saying they cannot help me and giving me a web link back to account recovery!

Who designed this "support" system. I provide my account id, I provide the reset code, I provide my name, address etc. but that is not enough to prove who I am. And I am denied the opportunity to speak with a human, told to go back to the endless process loop that cannot fix the problem.

Even to post to this forum, I had to create a second hotmail account! It is beyond ridiculous.

Outlook | Web | Outlook.com | Account management, security, and privacy
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  1. Q&A Assist
    2025-12-05T14:40:46.89+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    It seems you are experiencing a challenging situation with your Hotmail account recovery. Here are some steps you can take to try to resolve the issue:

    1. Use the Account Recovery Form: Since you are unable to answer the questions about the last three people you emailed, you can try using the account recovery form provided by Microsoft. This form allows you to provide as much information as possible to help verify your identity. Make sure to include any details you remember about your account, such as when you created it, any previous passwords, and any other relevant information.
    2. Contact Microsoft Support: If the automated recovery process is not working, you may need to reach out to Microsoft Support directly. While you mentioned difficulty connecting with a human, try using the support page for Microsoft accounts, where you can find options for live chat or phone support. Sometimes, persistence is key, and trying at different times may yield better results.
    3. Check for Alternative Recovery Options: If you have set up any recovery options such as a secondary email or phone number, ensure that you check those as well. Microsoft may send recovery codes or information to those alternatives.
    4. Create a New Account: If all else fails and you cannot recover your account, consider creating a new Hotmail account. While this is not ideal, it may be necessary if you cannot regain access to your original account.
    5. Feedback to Microsoft: Providing feedback about your experience can be helpful for Microsoft to improve their support processes. You can do this through their feedback channels.

    Unfortunately, account recovery can be a frustrating process, especially when automated systems do not accommodate unique situations. Keep trying the recovery options and reach out to support for further assistance.


    References:


  2. Harold Milan 10,555 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-12-05T15:18:05.48+00:00

    Hi,

    sorry that your having this kind of issue, unfortunately Microsoft’s account recovery system is fully automated for security reasons. If you never signed in or sent emails, the recovery form struggles because it relies on activity signals to verify ownership. Agents cannot override this process even if you provide ID so the only options are:

     

    Submit the recovery form with maximum details creation date, location, guessed passwords, any linked services like Windows or Xbox.

    Use a different Microsoft account to contact support for guidance they can confirm status but cannot unlock the account.

    If recovery fails, the account may remain inaccessible because Microsoft does not allow manual resets for consumer accounts without matching signals. Happy to help!

     

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