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My Hotmail account is utilized only as a backup and I've lost the ability to Login, yet very much so need to

Leonidas Sears IV 0 Reputation points
2026-03-06T19:09:13.8666667+00:00

My hotmail.com account was setup when I was in middle school. I changed the password through the years, yet did not use it for many more years. I have a different phone number now, several different phone numbers. I can't place any ,in particular, services or ways that I used the account aside from an early xbox account, and more recently 3 o4 years ago as a backup email for a service called "Upside". I have generated some funds utilizing the app to buy gas. I am unable to cash out the meager amount of funds in the account without being able to access my old hotmail account. Please help.

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  1. Q&A Assist
    2026-03-06T19:09:35.5666667+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    To regain access to an old Hotmail/Outlook.com account that is only used as a backup, follow the official Microsoft account recovery and support paths. Because the phone number and usage details have changed, recovery depends on how much accurate information can be provided about the account.

    1. Start with the sign‑in helper / account recovery
    • Use the Microsoft sign‑in helper or account recovery flow when trying to sign in to the Hotmail address.
    • If the password is forgotten, follow the steps to reset it ("I forgot my password").
    • If the username or account is not recognized, use the sign‑in helper tool referenced under Can’t sign in and Steps to recover your Microsoft account.
    • If the account has not been used for more than two years, it may have been deleted and cannot be reopened.

    Relevant guidance:

    • If the password is forgotten: see Reset your password from the “I can't sign in to my Microsoft account” article.
    • If the username is not recognized or you see messages like “We couldn't find an account with that username” or “account doesn't exist”, use the Sign‑in Helper tool.
    1. Use the Microsoft account recovery form (if normal reset fails) If normal reset or verification via old phone/email is not possible, use the Microsoft account recovery form:
    • Read Help with the Microsoft account recovery form carefully before submitting.
    • Collect as much information as possible about how the account was used:
      • Old passwords used on that Hotmail account.
      • Any contacts or email addresses that might have been emailed from that account.
      • Exact subject lines of any messages sent/received (if any can be remembered).
      • Think back to details from when the account was first created (old address, name, etc.).
    • Submit the form from a device and location that was commonly used with that account, if possible.
    • Answer as many questions as possible; wrong answers do not count against the request.
    1. If two‑step verification or security info is blocking access If the account has security info (old phone/email) that is no longer accessible:
    • When prompted to verify identity and none of the listed phone/email options are available, select I don't have any of these and follow the prompts to replace security info.
    • If all security info is replaced, the account may be restricted for 30 days before sign‑in is allowed again.
    1. If verification codes are not arriving or security info is lost Follow the guidance in Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues:
    • If there is still access to at least one security method, sign in to Advanced security options, add a new way to sign in or verify, confirm it, then remove outdated methods.
    • If there is no access to any security info and the password is also not known, use the account recovery form as described above.
    1. If still unable to sign in If all self‑service options fail:
    • Use the Outlook.com help channel: from the Verify my backup email address for my Outlook.com account article, use the “Still need help?” path. If sign‑in is not possible, use the special link for users who can’t sign in.
    • For broader Microsoft account issues, use the Get help with your Microsoft account entry point and its Can’t sign in sign‑in helper tool.

    Important limitations:

    • If the Hotmail/Outlook.com account has been inactive for more than two years, it may have been deleted and cannot be restored.
    • Support agents for consumer accounts cannot bypass the automated recovery system; success depends on providing enough correct information in the recovery form.

    Because the Upside service requires access to that specific backup email, if the Hotmail account cannot be recovered (for example, if it was deleted), contact Upside support separately to ask about changing the backup email on their side.

    References:

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