Recover Outlook.com Account Using Microsoft Restoring Solutions

  Tej Pratap Shukla
Written By Tej Pratap Shukla
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh  
Modified On January 10th, 2026
Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading

If you cannot sign in to your Outlook.com account, I know this is a huge issue for someone who relies on this service for data exchange. Plus, in emergencies, when you are communicating with your clients, and suddenly you get logged out, and can’t sign in again, then the need to recover Outlook.com account becomes crucial. 

I have recovered many Outlook.com accounts for users who forgot passwords or were hacked. Today, I will share how to do that via Microsoft’s official methods. So, first, let me explain the reasons behind the account being inaccessible. 

Why Outlook.com Accounts Get Locked or Inaccessible

Microsoft does not block any Outlook.com account, until you:

  • Forgot the Outlook.com password
  • Someone changed the password or hacked it
  • Microsoft locked the account for suspicious activity
  • Lost recovery email or phone number
  • Did not sign in for a long time
  • Too many wrong login attempts will block the account temporarily

No matter the reason, Microsoft allows you to restore your Outlook.com account if you provide valid verification and a justification for unusual activities. If you have the same, then follow Microsoft’s restoration methods with a proper set of instructions. 

How to Recover Outlook.com Account Step by Step

As I’m the Microsoft 365 admin for over 15+ years, I know how to get Outlook.com access back in minutes. So, let me tell you all my tricks one by one, simply:

Method 1. Restore Outlook.com Account Using Forgot Password

Whenever you are unable to access your Outlook.com account, the very first option to get back access is clicking on Forgot Password. Here’s how:

#Step 1. Open Microsoft’s Password Recovery page, and click the Forgot my password option.

recover outlook.com account

#Step 2. Enter the Outlook.com email address. Click Next.

email address

#Step 3. Choose how you want to receive the security code:

  • Email
  • SMS
  • Microsoft Authenticator app

Select one and click Get code.

get code

#Step 4. Enter the received verification code. Click Next.

enter code

#Step 5. Create a new and unique password of at least 8 characters. Click Next

So, if you have your phone or access to the recovery email, then your Outlook.com account will quickly recover by following the above steps. But if you don’t have the same, then don’t worry, move to the next section, where I’ll tell you what to do.

Method 2. Recover Outlook.com Account Without Phone or Recovery Email

Those who do not have their phone or access to the recovery email address can follow these guidelines for instant restoration:

#Step 1. Open Microsoft’s Account Recovery Portal.

Account Security Portal

#Step 2. Enter your:

  • Outlook.com address
  • A working email where Microsoft can contact you

Click Next

#Step 3. Now, enter the received code, and hit the Verify button.

Recovery form

#Step 4. Now, fill out the Account Recovery Form. This is the most important step, and you have to provide your account information as shown in this screenshot:

microsoft form

The more correct details you enter, the higher your chance of success.

#Step 4. Submit the form.

Microsoft reviews it within 24 hours and reply to you with a solution, if your details are correct. After approval, you receive a password reset link.

Method 3. Restore Hacked Outlook.com Account

If you have even entered the right password, you can’t access your Outlook.com account. Moreover, you tried the forgot password technique also, and no authentication or verification code you received. Then, your account is hacked, and someone accesses your data.

Don’t worry, I faced the same situation in the past, and I followed these instructions to recover Outlook.com account:

#Step 1. Open Microsoft’s Account Security Portal, and click “My account has been compromised.

#Step 2. Sign in (if possible) or use the recovery form.

#Step 3. Verify identity using:

  • Security codes
  • Recovery form

#Step 4. After recovery:

  • Change password
  • Turn on 2-step verification
  • Remove unknown devices
  • Check email rules & forwarding

This stops the hacker from re-accessing your Outlook.com. 

What to Do If Microsoft Rejects Your Recovery Request

If you received a response from Microsoft’s support stating “not enough information.” Most of the time, they approve your request in one email, but sometimes, if they find you can’t provide the required and correct details, then they reject your request.

The very first thing, don’t panic, just:

  • Wait 24 hours
  • Fill the form again
  • Add more accurate details
  • Try from the same device and location you used before

I usually get approved within 2–3 attempts if the information is correct.

What to Do Right After Recover Outlook.com Account

Once you get your Outlook.com account back, secure it immediately by:

  • Adding a new recovery email
  • Update your phone number
  • Enable two-step verification

This prevents future losses and makes recovery easier if something goes wrong again.

Not only this, but also make a replica of your Outlook.com account data to your local folders or hard drive, to ensure data continuity even if your Outlook.com account is inaccessible or hacked. For the same, you have to sync Outlook.com with Outlook to download emails from Outlook.com, then:

    • Open Outlook, and click File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
    • Choose Export to a file and click Next.
    • Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
    • Choose your Outlook.com mailbox and subfolders. Click Next.
    • Browse to a location on your computer to save the backup.
    • Click Finish to start exporting.

So, this is a completely free and manual solution to export Hotmail to PST. But, there are some limitations, i.e. MS Outlook installation is mandatory, time-consuming, and has synchronisation issues. 

To avoid these issues, opting for a professional and automated utility is always a better option. For the same, I suggest the SysTools Outlook.com Export Tool. This allows you to save all your emails, contacts, calendars, folders, and attachments locally in one go.

Not only this, but you can download your account’s data in numerous formats, i.e. EML, MBOX, PDF & PST, with advanced filters quickly. 

export formats

You can also use this utility when you need to import Outlook to Thunderbird or migrate data to another platform after recovery. So, download this now for free, and save your Outlook.com data from being hacked or deleted.

Author’s Verdict

When you need to recover Outlook.com account, always use the discussed recovery methods; don’t rely on wrong or third-party information. If you’re confident that you have all the credentials or required information, Microsoft will help you get your account back as soon as possible. 

It is suggested to bookmark this guide so that you can resolve this query if it occurs in the future.

People Also Ask

  1. How to recover Outlook.com account if I forgot the password?
    Use the Microsoft “Forgot password” page and reset it using a security code or the recovery form.
  2. Can I recover my Outlook.com account without a phone number?
    Yes. Use the Microsoft account recovery form and verify by answering account-related questions.
  3. How long does Outlook.com account recovery take?
    In most cases, users will receive a response from Microsoft within 24 hours.
  4. Can I recover a permanently deleted Outlook.com account?
    No. If it was deleted more than 60 days ago, Microsoft cannot restore it.
  5. Will my emails be restored after account recovery?
    Yes. Once you regain access, all your emails, contacts, and folders are restored automatically.