Windows 10: Locked out of microsoft account due to inactive phone number and forgotten password?

Back in 2023 when I moved I had to get a new number. However, when I set the account up prior it was under my old number and I never changed it and now forgotten the password. After I got my new number. I still had the password to the account at that time. But now I cannot access my account. I have my microsoft account signed in on my laptop. I've been doing research, filling out forms, calling support numbers, and using alternative email accounts. But nothing seems to be working. My microsoft account is still signed in on my laptop. But in order to view or change anything I must re-sign in.

:)

 

Unable to sign-in to Microsoft account forgotten password

Hi,



Thank you for coming back to us with details.



Since, you have forgotten the user account password we will not able to help you related password scenarios due to security purpose. The best what I can suggest you is create a new user account and transfer all user profile data’s to the new user account.
Once you transfer all the data’s to new user account you can convert the user account to Microsoft account and delete the old user account (If you want).
You can also follow the below steps to transfer all your data’s to the new user account.

• 
  Open file explorer and double click on
  OS (C.
  
• Go to Users and try transferring all the data’s/file to the new user account.

Hope this helps. We look forward to hear from you.

 

Microsoft account and phone number linked

Microsoft account password recovery requires two verification codes being sent using two different verification methods. Each Microsoft account has at least two verification methods, the phone number and additional email address which are asked and required when you set up a new Microsoft account with a new hotmail.com or outlook.com email or using a third party email.

When the thief who got your phone tries to recover your password, all your verification methods / security info phone numbers and email addresses will be listed for him to select one. OK, the thief naturally selects your phone number, gets the code sent as a text message, and enters it.

But, clicking Next after entering the code he needs to select another security info contact (phone / email) from the list to receive second verification code.

Password recovery is not possible with just your phone, the system is clever enough to make it impossible by requiring two codes being sent to two different phones and / or emails.

You can add as many phone numbers and email address as you wish as security info contacts at https://account.live.com/proofs/mana...&refp=security. I wholeheartedly recommend that you add at least another security email address; if you only have one phone number and one email added, those which were required when you set up the Microsoft account, and that thief got your phone, the recovery would be as impossible to you as it is to him, you both having access to just one of required two verification methods.