Password & Account Recovery

How to Change Hotmail Password Without Security Access

WPS Editor Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to change their Hotmail password but cannot verify their identity because they have lost access to their backup email and registered phone number.

How to Change Your Hotmail Password After Losing Security Access

Product: Hotmail / Microsoft Account
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The user received suspicious sign-in notifications and wants to secure the account by changing the password, but lacks the current security verification methods.
Observed behavior: The user is unable to pass the standard Microsoft security verification prompts to reset the password or update account security details.

Before you start

Gather as much information about your Hotmail account as possible, such as old passwords, recently emailed contacts, and exact subject lines of recent emails, to increase your chances of passing the manual account recovery form.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Microsoft Account Recovery Form

When you lose all security verification methods, submitting the official automated recovery form is the primary way to regain access and change your password.

The Microsoft account recovery form is designed to let users prove their identity without needing their registered phone number or alternate email. This process is fully automated and relies on the accuracy of the account details you provide.

Navigate to the recovery page

Open your web browser and go to the official Microsoft Account Recovery page at account.live.com/acsr.

Enter the affected account

Type in the Hotmail email address that you are trying to recover and change the password for.

Provide a contact email

Enter a working, alternate email address where Microsoft can contact you regarding the status of your recovery request.

Complete the verification form

Fill out the form with as many accurate details as possible. Provide previous passwords you remember, names of folders you created, and email addresses of contacts you have recently messaged.

Submit and wait for review

Submit the form. Microsoft typically reviews the submission within 24 hours and will send a password reset link to your alternate email address if the verification is successful.

Tip for Higher Success Rates: Submit the recovery form from a recognized device and physical location (like your home Wi-Fi network) that you frequently used to sign in to your Hotmail account.

Solution 2

Update Security Info After Recovery

Once you regain access to your account using the recovery form, you must immediately update your outdated security information to secure the account.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Microsoft account recovery process take?

Microsoft typically reviews account recovery form submissions within 24 hours. You will receive an email at the alternate contact address you provided once the automated system completes its review.

How many times can I submit the Hotmail recovery form?

You can submit the Microsoft account recovery form up to two times per day. If your initial request is denied, it is highly recommended to try again once you remember new details like old passwords or recent email subjects.

Can I change my Hotmail password if I still have my recovery email but lost my phone?

Yes. When prompted to verify your identity on the password reset screen, select 'I don't have these any more' or choose 'Show more verification methods', and opt to send the verification code to your accessible recovery email instead of the lost phone number.

Will my Hotmail account be deleted if I can never recover it?

Microsoft may permanently close accounts that remain inactive for a period of two years. If you cannot recover the account and no successful logins occur within that timeframe, the account and all associated emails will be permanently deleted.

Login & Account Issues