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How to Recover a Microsoft Account and Cancel Unwanted Subscriptions
Question details
The user needs to recover a Microsoft email account without the password or phone number to cancel an unwanted recurring monthly subscription charge.
- Product
- Microsoft Account
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user is being charged monthly for a subscription but cannot log in to cancel it because they lost their password and associated phone number.
- Observed behavior
- Recurring billing continues while the user is locked out of the account, preventing them from accessing the subscription management page.
Gather any previous passwords, email addresses, and billing details like the credit card numbers used for the subscription to help verify your identity during the recovery process.
Use the Microsoft Account Recovery Form
Since standard verification via phone or alternate email is unavailable, the official recovery form is the necessary path to regain access.
Microsoft's automated recovery form is designed to securely restore access to users who have lost all their security information. You will need a secondary email address to receive the results.
Go to the Microsoft account recovery page at account.live.com/acsr using any web browser.
Type the email address you are trying to recover and provide a working contact email address where Microsoft can reach you.
Fill out the form with as much accurate information as possible. Include old passwords, subjects of recently sent emails, and details of any Microsoft subscriptions or Xbox consoles.
Submit the form and wait up to 24 hours for Microsoft's automated system to review your request and send a password reset link to your contact email.
Cancel Recurring Billing After Recovery
Once you successfully regain access to your account, you must manually turn off recurring billing to stop the monthly charges.
Contact Your Bank or Credit Card Issuer
If account recovery ultimately fails, you can stop the charges directly through your financial institution.
Switch to WPS Office for a Free, Subscription-less Experience
Tired of unwanted monthly charges and stressful account lockouts? WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight, and completely free alternative to Microsoft Office. Enjoy full feature access without the hassle of recurring subscriptions.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click 'Free Download' for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded file and follow the quick installation instructions.
- 3. Open existing files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Microsoft Office files without worrying about subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for Microsoft to review the account recovery form?
Microsoft typically reviews automated account recovery forms and responds to the provided contact email within 24 hours. Check your spam or junk folders if you do not see a reply.
Can I cancel a Microsoft subscription without logging in?
No, Microsoft requires you to log in to verify your identity before managing subscriptions. If you cannot log in, you must either recover the account or contact your bank to block the recurring charges.
What information helps the most on the account recovery form?
Providing old passwords, exact email subject lines from your inbox, names of folders you created, and billing details (like the last four digits of your credit card) significantly increases your chances of successful recovery.
