Resetting my child's email password?

Question

Hi I need to access my children's' email accouns to retrieve emails sent to them. I believed this could be done in the family settings as the accounts are link to me but this is not an option. The accounts have never sent an email and unfortunately I cannot remember the password that was originally set. The Account recovery process doesn't work as there is no previous passwords and no sent emails to reference and there is nowhere on the form to explain why I am trying to recover them.

Answer 1

For child Microsoft/Outlook.com accounts, passwords and access are protected in the same way as for adult accounts. Being a family organizer or parent in Microsoft Family Safety does not provide the ability to view or reset a child’s email password or sign in to their mailbox.

If the password is forgotten and normal recovery does not work (no previous passwords, no sent mail, and no usable security info), there is no manual override that support or family organizers can use. Account recovery is fully automated and must succeed for access to be restored.

The only supported options are:

1. Try standard Microsoft account recovery again
   • Use the Sign-in Helper tool or the Account recovery form from a device and location where the child has previously signed in, if possible.
   • Follow the guidance in Help with the Microsoft account recovery form to maximize the chance of success (for example, using a working alternate email and filling in as many details as possible).
2. If recovery still fails
   • If the form cannot be completed with enough information and verification fails, the account cannot be recovered. In that case, a new Microsoft account for the child must be created and added to the Family group again.
3. For China PIPL/child consent scenarios
   • If the child’s account is affected by China’s PIPL rules, the adult who originally provided consent must sign in and provide additional consent. If that adult account cannot be accessed, the child may lose access to their account, and the adult should attempt to recover the adult account.

There is no supported method to bypass the recovery process, no way to explain the situation on the form to get an exception, and support agents cannot reset or disclose passwords for child accounts.

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References:

• I can't sign in to my Microsoft account
• Help with the Microsoft account recovery form
• How to provide additional consent for children's accounts
• Troubleshooting Microsoft Family Safety