Forgot your Hotmail password? Reset it step by step

Forgot your Hotmail or Outlook password? Microsoft has several ways to give you access to your account again. Whether you have an old Hotmail address or a newer Outlook account, the recovery procedure is the same. Follow the steps below to sign in again quickly.

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Reset your password via SMS verification

The most commonly used method if you have linked a phone number:

1. Go to account.live.com/password/reset
2. Enter your Hotmail or Outlook address and click Next
3. Select Text followed by the last digits of your number
4. Enter your full phone number to confirm
5. Enter the code you received (valid for 10 minutes)
6. Create a new password (at least 8 characters, not your previous password)
7. Click Next to save the new password

Reset your password via an alternate email address

If you have set up an alternate email address:

1. Go to account.live.com/password/reset
2. Enter your Microsoft account
3. Select Email with your alternate address
4. Open the email from Microsoft (also check your spam)
5. Click the verification link or enter the code
6. Set a new, strong password

Reset your password via Microsoft Authenticator

Do you have the Microsoft Authenticator app?

1. Open the recovery page and choose Use my Authenticator app
2. Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone
3. Approve the sign-in request
4. You are automatically redirected to set a new password

No access to your recovery email or phone?

If you don't have access to your recovery info:

• Account recovery form: Go to account.live.com/acsr and fill in as much information about your account as possible
• Prove your identity: Microsoft may ask about subjects of recent emails, contacts or folder names
• Wait for the review: Microsoft reviews your request within 24 hours
• Check your spam: Recovery emails can end up in your junk mail

Secure your account after recovery

Protect your account against future problems:

1. Turn on two-step verification: Go to account.microsoft.com > Security > Two-step verification
2. Add recovery info: Make sure you have an up-to-date phone number AND an alternate email address
3. Install Microsoft Authenticator: Safer than SMS codes
4. Check your sign-in activity: Under Security, see where and when someone signed in

Frequently asked questions

Does the recovery procedure also work for old Hotmail addresses? Yes, all Hotmail, Live and Outlook addresses fall under Microsoft and use the same recovery procedure via account.live.com.

How long does it take to receive a recovery code? SMS codes usually arrive within 1 to 2 minutes. Email codes can take up to 5 minutes. Not receiving anything? Check your spam folder or try again.

Can I change my Hotmail address during recovery? No, during password recovery you can only change your password. Your email address stays the same.