Password reset verification code not arriving

Question

I have a main Outlook mailbox, and two old email addresses linked to it, so that messages are filtered before they are forwarded. One of these has stopped forwarding messages.

I cannot log into it directly as it has a 13 year old defunct email address as the verification address for a password reset.

I have tried entering a new current email address to receive the verification code many times, but nothing is received in the provided email box. There is nothing in the junk mail.

Without the code I cannot access the inaccessible email account, and cannot update the defunct verification code email address to a current one.

I cannot find out anywhere how to get around this.

Answer 1

Hi Robtitude,

Thank you for the explanation.

• If you have access to the recovery email or phone number set for your account in question, you should be able to access your account by receiving the code.
• If you don't have access to your account's recovery options (email and phone number), then your only way to recover your account is to use the recovery form (which you already have done).

Please confirm the first point then I can advise accordingly.

Thank you.

Answer 2

The automated replies have informed me that they are unable to allow me access to my mailbox as the answers to the questions are not detailed enough.

I cannot supply details of recent emails sent, as it is an inbox only, I haven't used it to send emails for many years.

My location has changed between 3 countries over the last 14 years, I haven't a clue which one they want.

I have entered what I think may be old passwords, but as I haven't used them in a decade, I have no idea what they may have been.

They are telling me to use a pc that I would have used the last time I accessed the mailbox. I have been using Linuxmint for a decade, the only reason I am using Windows is because I have just bought a new laptop and W11 Pro was preinstalled. As soon as I have got this sorted, I will install Linuxmint on the laptop, set it up as a dual boot to check it all works ok, and then format the drive to wipe Windows, and use a clean install of Linux. This is my first use of Windows for many, many years, and after 24 hours I am losing the will to live.

Answer 3

The only way I could get the code was by creating an Outlook.com email address, I haven't used the redundant hotmail.co.uk address for many years to send mail, so was unable to answer many of the security questions, but hopefully I will be able to get a new password and get into it.

Answer 4

I have already attempted using privacy mode, and signing out of the live email account. There is nothing in my junk folder.

I entered an alternative email address to receive the code, which is the live accessible one, but nothing has been received.

Answer 5

Hello Robtitude! My name is Abdullah, and I will assist you today.

I am sorry to know that you are experiencing this issue. Please refer to the below article which is related to your issue:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-bil...

Also, please try a private/incognito mode of any browser for requesting the code.

Please let me know if the above information helped you. Thank you.

Best,

Abdullah