My emails have been hacked into, how do I clear this please and start again as nothing I am doing is currently working??

Because changing the password alone has not stopped the activity, scan the devices first, change the password once more, sign out everywhere, and then remove any unauthorized mailbox rules, forwarding, security methods, and custom folders.

1. Secure the devices and account

1. On every device used for this account, run a fully updated security or malware scan.
   • If you use a Windows PC: open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options → Full scan → Scan now.
   • On macOS or mobile devices, use the device’s reputable, fully updated security scanner.
   Microsoft recommends scanning before changing the password, so malware cannot immediately capture the replacement password.^1^
2. After the scans finish, change the Microsoft account password again. Use a new, unique password not used for any other website. This repeat is necessary because the earlier password was changed before the remaining access and devices were cleaned up.
3. Open the Microsoft account’s Advanced security options, find Sign out everywhere, and select Sign out. It can take up to 24 hours to sign the account out of browsers and apps.^2^
4. Review Security → Recent activity. Expand each unknown entry:
   • Under Unusual activity, select This wasn’t me.
   • Under Recent activity, select Secure your account.^3^

2. Remove mechanisms that can keep manipulating the mailbox

Use Outlook.com in a browser and inspect all of these settings:

1. Settings → Mail → Rules
   • Delete every rule you did not create using More actions (…) → Delete rule.
   • Rules can automatically move or delete incoming messages and may be responsible for messages appearing in unfamiliar folders.^4^
2. Settings → Mail → Forwarding and IMAP
   • If forwarding is enabled to an unfamiliar address, select Disable forwarding → Save.^5^
3. Check connected accounts and automatic replies, removing or disabling anything unfamiliar. These are specifically included in Microsoft’s post-compromise settings review.^1^
4. In the Microsoft account’s Advanced security options, inspect the email addresses, phone numbers, and verification methods:
   • Add a verification method that only you control first.
   • Expand any unknown method and select Remove → Remove.
   Do not remove every method simultaneously: removing all security information can place the account into a 30-day restricted state.^6^
5. Turn on two-step verification or Microsoft Authenticator so a password alone is insufficient to enter the account.^7^

3. Delete the foreign-language folders

Wait until the global sign-out has completed—potentially 24 hours—then:

1. Open Outlook.com in a browser.
2. Right-click each unwanted folder and select Delete → OK.
3. Expand Deleted Items and remove the deleted folders from there.

Custom folders can be deleted, but Outlook.com’s built-in folders—including Inbox, Sent Items, Drafts, and Deleted Items—cannot be deleted or renamed. If the foreign-language folders are built-in folders, their displayed names cannot be removed using folder deletion.^8^

If unauthorized activity or undeletable custom folders remain

Use the hacked-account sign-in helper on Microsoft’s recovery page; it can provide self-help or offer contact with an agent.^1^

Avoid closing the account merely to “start again” until recovery has been attempted. Closing Outlook.com closes the entire Microsoft account and permanently removes email and contacts, while also affecting services such as OneDrive, Xbox, and Skype.^9^

References

1. How to recover a hacked or compromised Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
2. How to sign out of your Microsoft account everywhere | Microsoft Support
3. What happens if there's an unusual sign-in to your account | Microsoft Support
4. [Outlook.com](https://support.microsoft.com/outlook/mail/manage-email-messages-by-using-rules-in-outlook)
5. [Outlook.com](https://support.microsoft.com/outlook/mail/turn-automatic-forwarding-on-or-off-in-outlook)
6. Removing a sign-in verification method | Microsoft Support
7. How to use two-step verification with your Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
8. Working with message folders in Outlook.com | Microsoft Support
9. Close your Outlook.com account | Microsoft Support