Old email

Question

Hello i have a very old email account with the domain Hotmail.com (15 years old)
I am trying to retrieve it as i believe it has photos some of my passed away family.

I can not remember any of the old passwords assoiated with it hence the recovery process.

Can someone please assist on how i can fix this

Answer 1

Hello Jeremy S

Hi, I'm Karl and will be happy to help you today.

First, just so there is no misunderstanding, this is a public user-to-user support forum. We're users helping other users. We do not work for Microsoft and have no access to any user account so there is nothing we can do or check from within the forum. We have no input on Microsoft's policies, procedures, or design decisions.

The important question is: "When did you last successfully log into this account?"

The rules for an old account are as follows:

#1 - If the account has not been accessed in the last 2 years, it would be automatically deleted due to inactivity as per the Microsoft Account Activity policy (subject to the exceptions noted). Once an account has been deleted (for any reason), it can never be recovered for any reason by anyone. There are no exceptions to that policy. Microsoft does not recycle email addresses.

Microsoft account activity policy https://support.microsoft.com/help/4511051/microsoft-account-activity-policy

#2 - The only way to access an existing account that has not been accessed in the last one year period but within the last 2 years AND is not a deleted account is by knowing the correct password for the account. The Account Recovery form and Password Reset processes are no longer an option in this instance. Also, any data in the account would be purged due to inactivity so even if account could be accessed, it would be completely empty

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, we're here to help you further if needed.