The Personal Vault cannot be opened until Microsoft verifies your identity, so enter the full alternative email that matches the masked hint or update the Microsoft account’s security information.
If you still have access to another verification method
- Sign in to the Microsoft account Security page: https://account.microsoft.com/security
- Select Manage how I sign in.
- Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
- Add an accessible recovery email, Microsoft Authenticator, or another offered method.
- Enter the code Microsoft sends to confirm it.
- Remove the outdated alternative email only after the new method works. Do not remove every existing method simultaneously, because that can restrict the account for 30 days. ^1^
Then open OneDrive, select Personal Vault, choose the new verification method, and enter its code. Personal Vault requires this additional identity-verification step. ^2^
If the address is yours but OneDrive rejects it
The verification screen may show only the first two characters of the stored email. Enter the complete stored alternative email address, not the Microsoft account address currently used to sign in.
If the alternative address is another Outlook, Hotmail, Live, or MSN account:
- Keep the Personal Vault verification page open.
- Open a second browser window in InPrivate/Incognito mode.
- Sign in to the alternative mailbox there.
- Copy the Microsoft verification code.
- Return to the original window and enter it. ^3^
If you cannot access any listed email or phone
- At Verify your identity, select I don’t have any of these.
- Follow the prompts to replace the security information.
- After all existing security information is replaced, Microsoft requires a 30-day waiting period before the replacement takes effect and protected access is restored. ^4^
- When the waiting period ends, open OneDrive and unlock Personal Vault using the new method.
Microsoft Support cannot open the vault, send a verification code, or change account details on your behalf. If the recovery process itself fails, use Contact Microsoft Support → Get Help → Contact Support, but account ownership must still be established through the supported recovery process. ^3^
Do not post the alternative email address, verification code, or other account details in this public forum.
References
- Microsoft account security info & verification codes
- Protect your OneDrive files in Personal Vault | Microsoft Support
- Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues | Microsoft Support
- What does “Security info change is still pending” mean? | Microsoft Support