Recovery email address change

Question

Recovery email address change

Dries Van de Velde 0

i have a recovery email address to which Microsoft will send in case i can't log into Outlook, but this recovery email address doesn't exist anymore, which puts my outlook account into an unsafe position. When i want to change this in my settings, outlook first demands i give in a code that will be sent to that non-existent emailadress, so now i can't also change this

Ron Barker 2,380 Reputation points

2026-11-13T11:22:01.23+00:00

Hi, I am not sure which recovery email you are using but try this. Go to> https://account.microsoft.com/services Left hand side>Security>Manage How I sign in>Make sure two-step verification is turned on. You can add email addresses just above. BUT also scroll to the bottom of the page and Generate a Recovery Code. Keep it same not on the computer. This will save you if you are hacked or locked out.Recovery code

You can use this code to access your account if you lose access to your sign-in info. Print this out and keep it in a safe place or take a picture of it.

Generate a new code

2 answers

Your answer

Ron Barker 2,380 Reputation points

2026-11-13T11:22:01.23+00:00

Hi, I am not sure which recovery email you are using but try this. Go to> https://account.microsoft.com/services Left hand side>Security>Manage How I sign in>Make sure two-step verification is turned on. You can add email addresses just above. BUT also scroll to the bottom of the page and Generate a Recovery Code. Keep it same not on the computer. This will save you if you are hacked or locked out.Recovery code

You can use this code to access your account if you lose access to your sign-in info. Print this out and keep it in a safe place or take a picture of it.

Generate a new code

Answer 1

GsN5034 - IA 79,510 Independent Advisor

Hello,

If you no longer have access to any other recovery methods to verify your identity, you can't access the security settings page of your Microsoft account.

https://account.live.com/proofs/Manage (Security Settings Page).

So, you will need to replace your security information.

On the Verify Your Identity screen, select 'I don't have any of these' and follow the prompts to replace your Security Information.

verify (1)

Note:

If you remove all of your previous security Information and replace it with something new, your account will be put into a restricted state for 30 days.

0 comments

Answer 2

If the old recovery email no longer exists and the account is asking for a code from that address, use the account recovery path or replace the security info.

On the verification screen, select I don’t have any of these if that option appears, and follow the prompts.
Add a new security method that is reachable, such as another email address, Microsoft Authenticator, or a passkey.
If a full replacement of security info is started, the account can be restricted for 30 days before changes take effect.
If the account cannot be verified with any existing method, submit the account recovery form. Microsoft sends the result to the working email address entered at the start of the form, usually within 24 hours.
Once access is restored, go to the Microsoft account Security tab, select Manage how I sign in, and add a new way to sign in or verify.

Important details:

Verification codes sent by email can only go to the primary alias or another email already added as a way to verify sign-in.
Support agents cannot send password reset links or directly change account details.
Do not remove or replace all security info unless necessary, because that can trigger the 30-day protection period.

To update security info after access is restored:

Open the Microsoft account Security page.
Select Manage how I sign in.
Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
Add the new email address and complete the code verification.