A Microsoft app for iOS and Android devices that enables authentication with two-factor verification, phone sign-in, and code generation
Use the hacked-account recovery path first, then the account recovery form with as much exact detail as possible.
- Before changing anything, run a full malware scan on the PC:
- Open Virus and threat protection.
- Select Scan options > Full scan > Scan now. This is important before changing the password.
- Try the hacked account flow:
- Use the Microsoft sign-in helper for hacked accounts.
- If sign-in is still blocked, use Forgot my password and select I think someone else is using my Microsoft account.
- If the recovery form says there is not enough information, improve the form submission:
- Provide a working email address that can receive Microsoft’s response.
- Answer as many questions as possible, thoroughly.
- For Outlook.com or Hotmail.com accounts, exact email subject lines matter.
- Include contact names you emailed.
- Check that the email domain is correct, including country-specific domains such as
.comor.co.uk. - If details on the account are old, use the information that may have been on the account when it was first created.
- If another alias or phone number was previously on the account, try that during recovery.
- Guessing is acceptable when unsure; wrong answers do not count against the submission.
- If access is regained, immediately:
- Change the password.
- Review connected accounts, forwarding, and automatic replies.
- Review recent sign-in activity on the Security basics page and mark suspicious activity with This wasn't me or Secure your account.
- To reduce the chance of this happening again after recovery:
- Add another way to sign in or verify identity in Advanced security options.
- Consider Microsoft Authenticator or going passwordless.
Important limitation: If the attacker changed the security information and recovery options, support agents cannot reset the account or change account details for the account owner. Recovery depends on the official recovery process and the information provided in that process.
- How to recover a hacked or compromised Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
- Help with the Microsoft account recovery form | Microsoft Support
- What happens if there's an unusual sign-in to your account | Microsoft Support
- My username and password have stopped working | Microsoft Support
- How to help keep your Microsoft account secure | Microsoft Support