Not doing so is perhaps the fastest way to lose your account forever. It is critical that you keep your security information up to date. More information here: Recover Your Microsoft Account Later by Setting Up a Recovery Code NOW – Step by Step Instructions. This is another valuable tool to regain access to your account should you ever run into trouble. Advanced security recovery code information. While you’re hereĪfter you’ve updated your information, I strongly suggest that you scroll down a little further on the advanced security page and set up a recovery code.

Enter that code, click Next, and you’ll find your new number added to the list of “Ways to prove who you are”.īe sure to also remove any numbers that are no longer valid or in your control. (You may need to click on “Show more options”, if present, to see the full list.)Ĭlick on Text a code. If that number is incorrect, or it’s not listed at all, then click on Add a new way to sign in or verify. If the phone number listed for “Text a code” is correct, then you’re done. This is a list of all the ways you can prove you are who you say you are, including your password, alternate email accounts, and phones. (Screenshot: )Ĭlick on the Advanced security options tile. (Screenshot: )Ĭlick on the Update your security info tile. (Screenshot: )Ĭlick on My Microsoft account (above). Once in, click on your display name, initials, or icon in the upper right corner: Click on the upper-right icon in. If you can’t sign in, begin by recovering access to your account. Your ability to sign in is how Microsoft (and any service provider) confirms you’re authorized to make the change. When you think about it, this makes sense: if you didn’t need to sign in, anyone could make the change and steal the account from you. Important: you must be able to sign in to make any changes. What that means is that we’ll be changing the security information associated with your Microsoft account. What you have is a “Microsoft account” that happens to use a Hotmail, MSN, Live, or email address as its identifier. Your Microsoft accountįrom Microsoft’s perspective, you don’t really have a “Hotmail” or “” account.

Remove any outdated phone numbers still associated with the account.Click on Add a new way to sign in or verify.Click on My Microsoft account in the upper-right account drop-down.

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