Forgotten Microsoft outlook password

Ballard

Hi. 

My friend has an outlook.com email address and doesn’t have any other Microsoft products but has forgotten his password. The reset password process asks for lots of details, which he has, but crucially also an old password. He has only ever used one password and one that I initially used when I set it up a few years ago and told him to immediately change.

i don’t remember what this password was. 

He doesn’t have any other email or phone number connected to this account. 

Does anyone have any advice on how he can get Microsoft to reset his account. He has set up a new account but needs access to the original account as it has important emails. 

Ballard

He’s just been in touch to say that he found a password on his iPhone and will try it later. I think that the account is locked, but it should hopefully allow him to reset it. 

Eyeful

Suggest they use a Free Pass Word Manager (like Bit Warden) and don't forget that. 
Other wise use a security key like Yubi Key. Then they will not need a password at all. It will cost though,

Ballard

I’ve told him that if he can get in with this password that he’s found he needs to add his phone and his other email address to it so that it should be easier to get back in. I’ve also said that he should forward important emails to his other account. 

400ixl

Is he logging into Outlook via the app or via the web?

If the former, but has done the latter in thpast, then try that as he may have the login cached in the browser.

Ballard

I don’t know how he’s logging in, but I suspect that it’s through the iOS mail app. I’m seeing him tomorrow so I’ll check, if he hasn’t gained access by then. 

Ballard

He has still been unable to access his email account. The password that he had found did not let him in and it wasn’t accepted on his ‘old password’ field when trying to get it reset. He hadn’t logged on to the account through a laptop. 

He may need to abandon the account and start afresh with his new one. I will guide him on security aspects as and when I next see him.

His problem is that he goes out to the theatre and music gigs several times a week so will need to get his tickets resent or redirected somehow, but that’s for him to sort out.