Trying to Recover My First @live.com Account From Around 2008

Question

I am trying to recover my first email account, which I created around 2008. It is an @live.com account. I still know the password, but when I try to log in, Microsoft wants to send a verification code to the same email account I am trying to access.

My question is: if I cannot log in to the account, how am I supposed to receive the code?

I stopped using this account many years ago and started using Gmail exclusively. For the past several years, I have tried Microsoft's multi-question account recovery process many times, but I have never been successful.

I do not remember any older passwords, and I do not have friends or family who recently emailed this account with information that could help verify ownership. I am willing and ready to provide any information I can to prove that this account belongs to me.

I have to admit, I am very frustrated with the recovery process. For such a large company, Microsoft seems to have very limited options for real support. The help pages often feel like a maze that sends you from one page to another until you eventually give up.

After trying for years and searching for solutions, this is my first time posting in the Microsoft Community because I am running out of options and could really use some help.

I have seen many similar questions posted in different groups, and sometimes people find simple solutions, but I also understand that many people do not search before asking. Unfortunately, I have reached the point where I have tried everything I know, and I am hoping someone here can point me in the right direction.

I am not asking anyone to bypass Microsoft's security. I am willing to provide any information necessary to recover my account. I would really appreciate any advice or guidance from someone who has dealt with this situation before.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and help me out.

Yes, I wrote everything and use ai slop to correct spelling

Answer 1

As Brian asks, when was the last time you accessed this account? If it hasn't been accessed, it is likely no longer available:

• Inactive Account: After 270 days of inactivity, an Outlook.com (Hotmail, Live mail, MSN Mail) account becomes inactive, and any emails stored in the account are deleted. 
• Deleted Account: After 365 days of inactivity, the account is permanently deleted.
• No Recovery: Once an account is deleted, it cannot be recovered, and any associated data is lost.  A permanently deleted account cannot be re-used.

Your Microsoft account also has time limits: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/microsoft-account-activity-policy-7c0a9fa7-0982-b7c6-fd72-df852b63699f

Answer 2

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

When was the last time you access the account? If it has been two years or more, you will never recover that account. After two years of inactivity, Microsoft permanently deletes the account and it can never be recovered.

When you see the dialog requesting the code, there should be a link similar to "I didn't receive the code." Have you tried using that link?