Easy Ways to Reset Your Hotmail Password (Even Without Recovery Info)

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Recover your Hotmail and Microsoft account in a few simple steps
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Do you need to access your Hotmail account but don’t remember your password? Now that Hotmail has become part of Outlook, resetting your login info is easy through the Microsoft site. Whether you added recovery options or need to reset your account , we’ll walk you through the steps on desktop and mobile. We even spoke to computer and tech specialist Luigi Oppido for advice on how to make strong, memorable passwords so you won’t have to reset them again!

Resetting a Hotmail Password: Quick Steps

  1. Type your Hotmail email address on the password reset site .
  2. Choose the email or phone number you want a recovery code sent to.
  3. Enter the recovery code on the reset site.
  4. Type a new password into the text box.
  5. Tap Next to sign in to your account with the new password.
  6. Fill out an account recovery form if you didn’t have a backup email or phone number.
Section 1 of 5:

How to Reset Hotmail Password with Recovery Options

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  1. Enter your email address on the Microsoft password reset site . Open your preferred browser and navigate to the account recovery page. Type in the Hotmail address for the account you want to recover and reset the password for, then click the blue button that says Next . [1]
  2. A partially hidden email address or a phone number you provided when you set up the account will appear on screen. Click whichever method you want to use to recover your account. [2]
    • If you didn’t add any recovery options to your account or lost access to the ones listed, then you must fill out an account recovery form .
    • If you don’t recognize any of the recovery options, it could be a sign your account was compromised. Use the sign-in helper tool to walk through recovering your Hotmail account. [3]
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  3. Once you select your recovery method, enter the full email address or the last 4 digits of your phone number into the text box on screen. Then click Get code to forward the recovery code.
  4. Open the Microsoft email sent to your secondary account or check for a text on your phone for a 6-digit code. Type the code into the text field in the middle of the recovery page, and then click Next . As long as the code you entered matches the one that you received, you'll be taken to the password reset page. [4]
    • If you request a code and it doesn’t come through, select Use a different verification option to choose a different method.
  5. Choose a new password and type it into the "New password" and "Reenter password" fields. Make sure you enter the password exactly the same in both fields, or it will not be accepted. Select Next when you’re finished. [5]
  6. A window will appear confirming your password change. Click on the Sign In button in the bottom-right corner to open the login page. Enter your Hotmail email address and the new password you just made to access your account again. [6]
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Section 2 of 5:

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  1. Fill out the account recovery form with your old and current email address. The recovery form allows you to recover a Microsoft account even if you don’t have a backup email or phone number. Open the website on the browser of your choice, and enter your Hotmail email address into the first text box. Then, enter a different contact email address in the second box for sending a verification code. Complete the CAPTCHA at the bottom of the page and click Next . [7]
    • If you have two-factor verification turned on for your Hotmail account, then you have to use the phone number or authenticator app you set up.
    • If you are unable to solve the CAPTCHA, click on New for a different set of characters or select Audio to hear letters spoken aloud so you can type them in.
  2. Check the backup email address you entered for a message from the Microsoft account team. Locate the bolded 4-digit code, and enter it into the text box on the recovery page. When you’re finished, click the blue button that says "Verify."
  3. A page will appear asking for personal details, like your name, date of birth, country, state, and ZIP code. Enter all the information accurately, and click Next at the bottom of the page when you’re finished. [8]
  4. Enter any passwords you might remember . If you can remember any passwords you might have used with the Hotmail account you want to recover, enter them in the spaces at the top of the page. [9]
    • To add more passwords, click Add another password below the two boxes. The more information you can provide, the better chances you have of verifying and recovering your account.
    • If you don't know the answers to any of the questions asked on any of these forms, just leave the field blank and continue to the next one.
  5. Check the box next to the “ Outlook.com or Hotmail ” option near the middle of the screen. If you also used your Hotmail email address for Skype or Xbox, or if you made purchases using your account, select the boxes that apply. [10]
    • Depending on what you select, you may be asked for additional info regarding the services you used.
      • Outlook.com or Hotmail: Enter any contacts or email subject lines you remember sending from the account you’re recovering.
      • Skype: Enter your Skype ID or any contacts you remember from your account.
      • Xbox: Provide the hardware ID on the console you use most frequently with the Hotmail account.
      • Purchases: Enter the name, last 4 digits, and expiration date of the credit card you used to make a purchase with your Microsoft account.
  6. Look for the blue OK button near the top of the page. Microsoft will look over the information you submitted to determine if you’re the account owner, and they will contact you if they’re able to recover your account for you. If you are allowed to recover your account, they will provide you with further instructions. This usually takes about 24 hours. [11]
    • While it usually takes 24 hours to review your information, it may take longer if there’s difficulty verifying that you own the account.
    • Microsoft will send a message to your backup email address with the next steps and how to reset your password.
    • If Microsoft was not able to verify your account, you may try resubmitting the form 2 times per day.
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Section 3 of 5:

How to Reset a Hotmail Password with the Outlook App

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  1. Open the Outlook app on your phone and select the Add Account button near the bottom of the screen.
    • If you are already signed into Outlook through a different account, tap the Outlook icon in the upper-left corner (Android) or the "☰" icon with three horizontal lines (iPhone) to display the menu, then tap the gear icon in the lower-left corner to open Settings and select Add Mail Account below the account you are signed into.
  2. Type the Hotmail email address you want to recover, and tap Continue in the lower-right corner to go to the next page. When you’re prompted to type in your password, select Forgot password? below the text box. [12]
  3. If you added recovery options to your Hotmail account, a partial backup email address or phone number will appear on screen. Tap whichever method you want to use to recover your account.
  4. Tap the text field below your chosen recovery option and enter your full email address or the last four digits of your phone number to verify your identity. Then, tap Get Code to send a verification to your chosen option. [13]
  5. Open your email or texts and look for a message from Microsoft with a 6-digit security code. Tap the "Enter the code" text field, type in the code, and tap Next . As long as your code is correct, this will take you to the password reset page.
  6. Type your new password into the "New password" and "Reenter password" fields. Make sure you use the same spelling and formatting in both fields so the password confirms. When you’re finished, tap the Next button to go back to the login page so you can sign in to your account..
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Section 4 of 5:

Hotmail Password Reset FAQ

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  1. 1
    Is my Hotmail password the same as my Microsoft password? Yes, Hotmail accounts now use the same password as your Microsoft account. Hotmail became Outlook.com in 2013, so now it’s linked to a Microsoft account and password. If you’ve logged into your Microsoft account somewhere else, then it’s going to be the same password to access your email address. [14]
    • If you reset your Hotmail password, use the new password when you access your Microsoft account somewhere else.
  2. 2
    Does Microsoft delete inactive Hotmail accounts? According to the Microsoft service agreement, you must sign into your Hotmail or Outlook account at least once a year to keep it active. If you don’t sign in, then Microsoft will consider your account inactive and delete it. [15]
    • Some users claim that they are still able to log in to their accounts, but their contacts and old emails are deleted after 1 year of inactivity. [16] .
  3. 3
    How can I remember my Hotmail password in the future? Oppido recommends using a password manager like LastPass to store your passwords. He notes that password managers store all your login info from sites and they can be shared easily and privately. When you need to log in to your Hotmail account, just enter your LastPass master password to access your login credentials.
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Section 5 of 5:

Expert Advice for Creating a Strong Password

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  1. Make your password a memorable phrase of words and characters. Oppido mentions that a phrase that’s longer than 8 letters is secure and tough for other people to crack. He notes that many sites require capital letters, numbers, or symbols in their passwords as well, so just include them throughout the password.
    • For example, you could use the phrase, “All-bears-ar3-fuzzy!” so it’s easy to remember and has all the password requirements.

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I lost my password and my account is locked, how can I reset it?
    Community Answer
    Call Hotmail technical support. They will ask questions from your account to prove your account ownership.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 83 Helpful 288
  • Question
    How do I reset my password if my account is locked?
    Community Answer
    You have to email Hotmail to get it reset. You should be able to provide all account details and some emails that are in that inbox.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 34 Helpful 77
  • Question
    How do I get a new password when I have forgotten mine?
    Community Answer
    Click on the "Can't access your account?" button to reset your password.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/reset-a-forgotten-microsoft-account-password-eff4f067-5042-c1a3-fe72-b04d60556c37
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/reset-a-forgotten-microsoft-account-password-eff4f067-5042-c1a3-fe72-b04d60556c37
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/home/contact?linkquery=I+don't+recognize+my+sign+in+email+or+phone+number
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/reset-a-forgotten-microsoft-account-password-eff4f067-5042-c1a3-fe72-b04d60556c37
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/how-to-create-a-strong-password-for-your-microsoft-account-f67e4ddd-0dbe-cd75-cebe-0cfda3cf7386
      6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/reset-a-forgotten-microsoft-account-password-eff4f067-5042-c1a3-fe72-b04d60556c37
      7. ↑ https://account.live.com/acsr
      8. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/help-with-the-microsoft-account-recovery-form-b19c02d1-a782-dee6-93c3-dc8113b20c42
      9. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/help-with-the-microsoft-account-recovery-form-b19c02d1-a782-dee6-93c3-dc8113b20c42
      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/help-with-the-microsoft-account-recovery-form-b19c02d1-a782-dee6-93c3-dc8113b20c42
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/help-with-the-microsoft-account-recovery-form-b19c02d1-a782-dee6-93c3-dc8113b20c42
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/reset-a-forgotten-microsoft-account-password-eff4f067-5042-c1a3-fe72-b04d60556c37
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/reset-a-forgotten-microsoft-account-password-eff4f067-5042-c1a3-fe72-b04d60556c37
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/how-to-sign-in-to-hotmail-c378938b-c0eb-40c1-b99e-338dd9e776a8
      6. ↑ https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/servicesagreement/
      7. ↑ https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/all/my-inactive-hotmail-account-been-locked-forever/9a3c1731-1021-4710-b69d-f7745f55de7b#:~:text=Please+note+that+Outlook.com,cannot+be+retrieved+from+accounts

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Go to https://account.live.com/resetpassword.aspx .
      2. Check “I forgot my password” and click Next .
      3. Enter your email address.
      4. Enter the verification code and click Next .
      5. Select Text or Email .
      6. Enter your email address or phone number and click Send Code .
      7. Enter the recovery code.
      8. Create a new password and tap Next .

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