Password & Account Recovery

How to Recover a Hotmail Account Without Old Phone Number or Email

Ayan Masood Sep 29, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to regain access to a Hotmail or Microsoft account but no longer has access to the previously associated phone number or alternate email address.

How to Recover a Hotmail Account Without Old Contact Information

Product: Microsoft Account (Hotmail)
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The user forgot their password or is locked out and cannot receive verification codes via their outdated security contact methods.
Observed behavior: Standard password reset attempts fail because the required recovery phone number or alternate email address is unavailable to receive the security code.

Before you start

Gather any information you can remember about your account, such as previous passwords, recent email subjects, or billing details. For the best chance of success, submit the recovery form from a device and physical location that you have previously used to sign in to this Hotmail account.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Microsoft Account Recovery Form

This is the only official method to recover personal Microsoft accounts when all original security information and recovery contacts are lost.

Microsoft provides a dedicated automated recovery form designed to securely restore access for users who have lost their verification methods. Customer support agents and community moderators cannot bypass this verification system, so providing accurate and thorough details on the form is crucial.

Access the Recovery Page

Open a web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft Account Recovery page at https://account.live.com/acsr.

Enter Email Details

Enter the Hotmail email address you are trying to recover. Then, provide a different, currently accessible email address where Microsoft can contact you about the recovery request.

Pass the Security Check

Type the CAPTCHA characters displayed on the screen to prove you are not a robot, and click 'Next'.

Verify Contact Email

Check your accessible contact email for a security code sent by Microsoft. Enter this code on the recovery page to continue.

Fill Out the Form Completely

Provide as much accurate account information as possible, including old passwords, sent email subjects, folder names, and Skype contacts if applicable. Submit the form and wait up to 24 hours for a response.

Work or School Accounts: If your Hotmail or Microsoft account is managed by a company or educational institution, the recovery form will not work. You must contact your organization's IT administrator to have them reset your password.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Seamless Document Editing with WPS Office

While recovering your Hotmail or Microsoft account can take time, your productivity doesn't have to pause. WPS Office is a completely free, lightweight alternative that lets you view, create, and edit documents locally without requiring a Microsoft account.

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the official WPS website at www.wps.com.
2. Download the Installer: Click the 'Free Download' button to get the correct version for your operating system.
3. Install and Edit: Run the downloaded installer, follow the on-screen prompts, and start creating documents immediately without needing a Microsoft login.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).No Microsoft account required to edit or save local documents.Lightweight software that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices.Familiar user interface for a zero-learning-curve transition.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Microsoft support directly reset my Hotmail password?

No, Microsoft support agents and community moderators are strictly prohibited from manually resetting passwords, accessing account data, or bypassing the security verification process. You must use the automated recovery form.

How many times can I submit the Microsoft account recovery form?

You can submit the account recovery form up to two times per day. If your request is denied, you should try again the next day and attempt to provide additional or more accurate information.

What if I don't remember any recent email subjects or contacts?

Provide any information you can, such as previous passwords, security questions, or billing details (like a linked credit card or Xbox Live subscription). If you leave too many fields blank, the automated system may not have enough data to verify your identity.

Does WPS Office require a Microsoft account to use?

No, WPS Office does not require a Microsoft or Hotmail account. You can use it to edit files locally without signing in, or create a free WPS account using any other email address to access cloud synchronization and additional features.

Login & Account Issues