Hotmail access

Question

I have been unable to access my long-standing Hotmail account for over three weeks. Despite spending more than two hours with a Microsoft support agent, the issue remains unresolved. I was expressly assured that the matter would be escalated to the appropriate internal team and that access would be restored within 72 hours. It has now been five days since that commitment, and I have received no update whatsoever.

At this stage, Microsoft’s failure to restore my access constitutes an effective deprivation of my personal data. This raises serious concerns under the GDPR, including potential violations relating to data access rights, data portability, and the obligation to ensure the availability and integrity of a data subject’s personal information.

It is also evident from numerous user reports that this issue is widespread, suggesting a systemic failure on Microsoft’s part to maintain lawful and compliant account-recovery procedures.

Unless my access is promptly restored and I receive a clear explanation for Microsoft’s non-compliance, I will be compelled to escalate this matter. This may include filing formal complaints with the relevant data protection authorities and notifying the press of the ongoing issues, which appear to affect a significant number of users.

I request immediate action to restore my account and safeguard my rights under applicable data-protection law.

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Moved from: Microsoft 365 and Office | Access | Other | Other

Answer 1

Hello, I’m Virginia a fellow Windows user.

You’re only in contact with other customers here & Microsoft rarely post in relation to security/account access problems other than to point users to the relevant recovery methods.

As you haven’t mentioned what you have already tried, I have to ask when was the last time you accessed the account via a Microsoft website? If more than 1 year then it most likely has been deleted due to lack of use.

Otherwise try recovering your account here:

https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/how-to-recover-a-hacked-or-compromised-microsoft-account-24ca907d-bcdf-a44b-4656-47f0cd89c245

Or:

https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/you-can-t-sign-in-to-your-microsoft-account-475c9b5c-8c25-49f1-9c2d-c64b7072e735

If none of the above work then you’ll require the account recovery form:

https://account.live.com/acsr

Please note if you have 2/multi factor authentication active on your account then you cannot use the form to recover the account.

If you’re successful in changing the details then you may find that the account is limited for 30 days, this is a security feature & cannot be circumvented.

Please be aware that as the email address has been changed to that of the hacker &/or 2fa/mfa has been enabled then usually there’s nothing which can be done. You would need to create a new account & request that Microsoft transfer any purchases & subscriptions to the new account.

To request a transfer of purchases & subscriptions contact Microsoft here:

https://support.microsoft.com//help/4051701/

https://support.microsoft.com/contactUs