2FA is 3FA for my live.com account?

Question

Okay, so, I have a live.com email account and when I try to sign in I get told I need to reset it as the account is locked. When I try to fix it I get asked for 2FA and give the alternate email account information. It then asks for a SECOND authentication and the only other information is an old phone number I cannot access anymore.

I have this email tied to a number of other accounts and now, for instance, I no longer have access to any Rockstar Games items as they are locked behind this email.

Is there some way to get the 2FA taken off the account so I can reset it? I have the original password still, and know the 2FA accounts as well as I have used the name online everywhere. (This was an email for an online persona I used for years).

Answer 1

Were you backing up the secrets in your previous authenticator so you can restore them if you needed to change your phone? If not, then no. You should always back up data you find important.

Answer 2

Hi. I'm Brian and I'll try to help.

Microsoft will not remove 2FA from an account. When you enable 2FA, you are talking sole responsibility for maintaining access to your account. That means you must always have your verification methods up to date. You cannot ignore old phone numbers.

In the dialog that requests your verification data, is there a link like "I don't have these any more" or "I didn't receive the code"? If so, that might allow you a way to specify an alternate way to receive the code.

Answer 3

To regain access to your live.com account when you are locked out due to two-factor authentication (2FA), you have a few options:

1. Account Recovery: Use the official Microsoft account recovery form. This is the primary method to regain access to your account. You will need to provide as much information as possible to verify your identity, such as previous passwords, email subjects, and contacts.
2. Alternative Recovery Options: If you have access to any recovery options (like an alternate email or phone number), use those to receive a verification code. If you don’t have access to the old phone number, look for an option that states "I don’t have any of these" during the recovery process, which may allow you to proceed differently.
3. Contact Microsoft Support: If the recovery form does not work, consider contacting Microsoft Support directly. They may be able to assist you further in removing 2FA or recovering your account.

Unfortunately, you cannot disable 2FA without access to one of the authentication methods. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the recovery steps provided by Microsoft.

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References:

• Unable to change password in my Outlook - Microsoft Q&A
• My personal hotmail account hacked by hacker with authentication app enabled. - Microsoft Q&A