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How to Reset a Microsoft 365 User ID and Password
Question details
The user needs to recover a Microsoft 365 account when both the User ID and password have been lost or forgotten.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Account recovery for a Microsoft 365 Business or Education account.
- Observed behavior
- The user is unable to sign in to the Microsoft 365 admin panel or standard user account due to lost login credentials.
Verify whether your Microsoft 365 account is a personal, business, or education account, as the recovery methods and support channels differ significantly for each type.
For End Users: Contact Your Organization's Administrator
If you are using a Microsoft 365 Business or Education account provided by your school or employer, your global administrator must reset your credentials.
Standard end users do not have the permissions to bypass organizational security settings. Only individuals with global admin rights within your organization can issue new temporary passwords and confirm user IDs.
Reach out to your company's IT support desk, HR department, or the specific person who assigned your Microsoft 365 account.
Ask the administrator to look up your User ID in the Microsoft 365 admin center and trigger a password reset for your profile.
Navigate to the Microsoft 365 login page, enter the verified User ID and the temporary password provided by your admin, then create a new personal password when prompted.
For Sole Tenant Administrators: Contact Microsoft Business Support
If you are the only global administrator for your Microsoft 365 Business tenant and are locked out, you must contact Microsoft Support by phone to verify your identity.
For Accounts Purchased Through a Reseller
If you bought your Microsoft 365 Business subscription through a third-party reseller rather than directly from Microsoft, your reseller manages your account recovery.
Keep Working Offline with WPS Office
If you are temporarily locked out of your Microsoft 365 account and cannot access cloud-based apps, you can use WPS Office to open, edit, and create documents locally. It's a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that doesn't require a Microsoft login.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your PC or Mac.
- 2. Install the application: Run the installer and follow the quick setup wizard to install the software on your device.
- 3. Open your Microsoft files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Office documents from your local hard drive to continue working offline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Microsoft community moderators reset my Microsoft 365 password?
No. For strict security and privacy reasons, community moderators do not have the authorization or backend access required to reset passwords for business tenant accounts or global administrators.
What should I do if my previous username was an onmicrosoft.com address and I changed my domain?
If you lost access to the admin panel after a domain change and your onmicrosoft.com credentials no longer work, you must contact Microsoft 365 Business Support by phone to verify your identity and regain access, or cancel the trial to start over.
How do I recover a personal or family Microsoft 365 account?
The recovery process for Microsoft 365 Personal or Family accounts differs from Business accounts. You can use the standard Microsoft account recovery page online to reset your password using your backup email address or phone number.
