Microsoft Account Compromised - Request New Microsoft Account

Question

Hi, I've had my Microsoft account for around 20 years it's very old, has been hacked at least once and is constantly bombarded with phishing emails.

I want to permanently delete the account, but not before creating a new Microsoft account and porting everything over. That includes all content on my OneDrive, all data from various Microsoft games, all my Microsoft Office etc. licenses and my logins across my various devices. I'm a little concerned that during this process something could be missed and I could lose valuable data or lose access to certain devices / software.

Please can someone from Microsoft advise the most robust way to go about this?

Answer 1

I understand the impact of the issue. Please try to take the backup of the files before planning to close the account. If you have files in OneDrive, it will be retained for 30 days in expired state.

Kindly go through the process in below link to close your account.

https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/c1b2d13f-4de6-6e1b-4a31-d9d668849979

Thanks & Regards, Ravikumar

Answer 2

Hi Ravi, I've done all this, my account was hacked nearly 10 years ago, I'm just sick of the spam I'm getting because my email address has been circulated around so much since the hack. Not to mention that I was a stupid kid when I created it.

When I check this history on my account there are multiple people trying to guess my password from all around the world every day. Hence why I just want to kill it and start afresh.

Answer 3

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to this forum. I'm Ravi, just like you, a fellow Microsoft user and I'm here to help you with your question today.

Thanks for being a valuable Microsoft customer for 20 years. I understand your concern as your account has been compromised.

I don't think opening a new account is advisable as the chances for getting compromised is high as personal information are at risk.

The first thing you’ll want to do to protect your account is to change your password. Kindly change the password following all standards.

Step 1: Change the password

1. Go to Recover your account and type in the email address, phone number, or Skype name you use to sign in. Then select Next. https://account.live.com/password/reset
2. We'll ask where you'd like to get your security code. Select Next.
3. Type the requested information and select Send code.
4. Type the security code into Verify your identity, then select Next.
5. Type in your New password. Then confirm it by typing it again into the Re-enter password field.

If you are unable to change your password using a security code to your contact information, complete the recovery form. https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/b19c02d1-a782-dee6-93c3-dc8113b20c42

Step 2: Verify the account history

Check the history of your account activity by opening below link and clicking on " Security "and selecting" Check recent activities ". https://account.microsoft.com/account/Account?ru=https%3A%2F%2Faccount.microsoft.com%2F&destrt=home-index

Step 3: Add Multi factor authentication for your personal account. This will help you to add an additional layer of security verification using email or phone number or authenticator app.

1. Go to the Security basics page and sign in with your Microsoft account. https://account.microsoft.com/security
2. Select More security options.
3. Under Two-step verification, choose Set up two-step verification to turn it on
4. Follow the instructions.

For additional information please refer below link. https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/bf2505ca-cae5-c5b4-77d1-69d3343a5452

Step 4: Remove saved passwords. Remove the credential details of the personal account from "Credential manager". Go to: Control Panel\User Accounts\Credential Manager

Step 5: Please scan your computer for any threats or viruses and move it to quarantine

Hope this information helps. Please feel free to get back if you still feel the account is not secured and planning to close it.

Thank you! Ravikumar Help the next person who has this issue by indicating if this reply solved your problem. Click Yes or No below.