Since Microsoft account often contains a lot of sensitive digital information, you'll obviously want to keep it safe. The good news is that you don't have to be an experienced security specialist to set up strong defense against hackers and con artists. This post will teach you how to keep your account secure, as well as how to implement alternative methods in the event you forget your password or suspect a hack, including how to reset password for Microsoft password.
Your Microsoft Account Is Locked
If you attempt to sign in to your Microsoft account and you get a notification that your account has been locked, it may be due to the fact that activities associated with your account has violated their Terms of Use.
How to unlock your Microsoft account
To unlock your account, you need to sign in to get a security code.
Tips:
- Any phone number may be used to request the security code.
- The phone number doesn't need to be associated with your account.
- No smartphone or internet connection is required; the phone simply needs to be able to receive text messages.
- You may need to a new password.
Why Are Accounts Disabled and Locked?
Microsoft accounts are often locked if the account holder violates the Microsoft Services Agreement. Although not all account locks are due to the reasons listed below, here are some of the typical reasons why accounts are locked:
Phishing, malware, and other harmful activities
Microsoft prohibits using its services in the following ways:
- Malware: Intentionally sending software or code that is unwanted or harmful.
- Phishing; the act of tricking or spoofing another person into divulging their personal information.
- Harming, spoofing, or interfering with Microsoft networks, services, or other systems
- Spam. There are numerous variations of spam. Never send, distribute, or publish unwelcome emails, comments, messages, pictures, reviews, or other content through Microsoft networks.
How to Reset a Forgotten Microsoft Account Password
These steps are in this order to assist you with resetting your Microsoft account passwords.
Step 1: Reset your Microsoft password
If you input an invalid incorrect password, you will receive the following message:
“Your account or password is incorrect. If you can't remember your password, you can reset it now.”
It is advised that you follow the steps listed below to fix your Microsoft passwords problems:
- The option 'Forgotten your password?'
- Confirm your identity
- Receive a verification code
- Enter the code & reset your microsoft password
Step 2: If you can't reset your Microsoft password
If Step 1 didn’t solve the problem, which could be because you no longer have access to your security contact information or you never set up an alternative to identification recovery and verification when you created your account.
Try the tips below:
- Check for incorrect password or account entries.
- Search your browser.
- Try remembering when last you used the account.
- Try to log-in with another method.
If these solutions don't work, if you are still unable to reset your Microsoft password, the next step is to complete the account recovery form.
How to Find Forgotten Micorsoft Password?
Step 3: Fill account recovery form.
This step is based on the assumption that you tried steps 1 and 2 but you were unsuccessful.
The procedures below will help you complete the account recovery form. It can be a time-consuming procedure as it is intended to ask questions about your account that only you can respond to. Within 24 hours, Microsoft will review your request and get back to you.
Improve your chances of successfully recovering your account by reading the following guidelines first:
- Have a working email address.
- Complete the form from a recognized device and location.
You can find the recovery form here:
You will be asked questions specific to the account you are trying to recover.
After you submit the form
You will be sent results of your recovery request within 24 hours to the working email address you provided at the beginning of the form.
Step 4: Account recovery has not been granted
The information in this step assumes that you have tried the previous steps to reset and recover your account, but were unsuccessful. Your frustration is understandable if you discover that you are unable to recover your account. This means that Microsoft’s support staff can do no more than you can do with the account recovery form. They do not have the ability to send you Microsoft account passwords reset links or provide you with any other ways to access or change account information.
You can try the following…
- Refilling the Microsoft account recovery form
- Create a new Microsoft account
- Add security and recovery options to your new account
How to Not Forget Your Password Again
These tips will help keep your Microsoft account safe, ease recovery after it's been hacked, and better protect it from future attacks:
1. Keep your Microsoft account safe and secure
- Create a strong password for your account
A strong password is especially important if you use a Microsoft email address (such as Outlook.com or Hotmail). Many services use this email address to verify your identity. If unauthorized persons gain access to your Microsoft account, they may use your email address to change the passwords for your other accounts, such as banking and online shopping.
You can reset Microsoft password online at any time on the Security Principles page.
- Making it easier to recover your account
Add security info to your account to make it easier to recover if it's been hacked. It is important to keep this information up to date as it protects your account. Add or update your security information on the Security Principles page. Or, learn more about Security Information and Codes and get step-by-step instructions to better protect your account today.
- Don't reply to emails asking for your password
Microsoft will never ask you for your password via email, so never respond to emails that ask for personal information (even if they say it's on behalf of Outlook.com or Microsoft.
- Check your recent activities
If you receive an email notifying you of unusual activity, you can see when and where your account was accessed, including successful logins and security challenges, on the Recent Activity page. Microsoft learns how you usually sign in to your account and flags suspicious events.
- Keeping your devices safe
If you give away or lose a device that you use to sign in to your Microsoft account, or if you know that someone else has access to your devices for any reason, you must take action and have the trusted status of your devices removed.
To remove trusted devices, go to the Security principles page, select more security options, scroll down to Trusted devices, and select Remove all trusted devices associated with my account.
- Enable two-step verification for your Microsoft account
What is two-step verification
With 2-step verification, you protect your account by making it difficult for others to sign in to your Microsoft account. Two different types of identification are used: your password and a contact method (also known as security information). Even if someone else knows your password, they'll be stopped if they can't access your security info. Therefore, you must use different passwords for your accounts.
What you need to set up
2-Step Verification starts with an email address (it's recommended to use two different email addresses—one that you normally use and one as a backup in case of an emergency), a phone number, or an authenticator app. If you sign in on a new device or from a new location, 'you will be sent a security code that you enter on the sign-in page.
2. Working passwordless with your Microsoft account
Going passwordless is the next generation of account security, as it is simple, fast, and safe.
If my account does not have a password, how do I log in?
After you remove your Microsoft passwords from your account, you'll need to sign in using a passwordless method, such as the Microsoft Authenticator app, Windows Hello, physical security keys, or SMS codes.
Is my account secured?
Yes. Using alternative login methods, such as the Microsoft Authenticator App, physical security keys and biometrics are more secure than traditional passwords that can be stolen, hacked, or guessed.
Remove the password from your Microsoft account
Before you remove your password, you must download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app. It is also advised that all your devices have the latest software updates.
If you already set up the Microsoft Authenticator app:
- Sign in to the Additional security options of your Microsoft account.
- Under Passwordless Account, select Enable/Disable.
- Follow the instructions to verify your account.
- Accept the request sent to your Microsoft Authenticator.
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