Reset password for an inactive child's email account.

Question

I created an email address for my kid a long time ago and I don't remember the password or anything about the account. Is there any way to reactivate it and reset the password? I have go through the password reset question form, but I am not able to give it enough information to reset it. Should I give up and create a new account? I really don't want to because I like the name of the email address and don't want to lose it.

Answer 1

Thank you for the information and I understand.

If the account has not been signed in for more than 2 years, I'm afraid your child's account may have already been deleted/closed due to inactivity.

As stated by Microsoft, accounts that have not been signed in or have been locked for more than 2 years will be deleted due to inactivity, and they can no longer be recovered: https://support.microsoft.com/topic/microsoft-account-activity-policy-7c0a9fa7-0982-b7c6-fd72-df852b63699f

Please let me know if you need anything else.

Best regards,

Darhyl

Answer 2

Hey there! Nice to meet you!

Just to confirm, may I know when was the last time your child successfully signed in to the account?

Did your child have two-factor authentication (2FA) active on the account?

If yes, are you able to access the second factor of authentication? Does it have any security information/verification methods, email, or phone number linked to the account?

Important: If it has an active 2FA, ACSR will inform you that the recovery request will be ignored. If you only receive a message that the recovery request is either successful or indicates insufficient information, this means that 2FA is disabled.

Best regards,

Darhyl

Answer 3

If the account has been inactive for more than two years, it may have been deleted and cannot be reopened. In that case, creating a new account is the remaining option.

If the account still exists, the supported recovery path is:

1. Start with Forgot password? or the Reset password flow.
2. If no verification option is available, or the listed email/phone details are not recognized, use the Sign-in Helper tool.
3. If that does not work, use the Account recovery form and provide as much information as possible. Wrong guesses do not count against the submission, and Microsoft reviews the answers and responds within 24 hours.
4. If the account says it does not exist, carefully check the spelling and domain, and try any other email alias or phone number that may have been added to the account.

Important limits:

• If two-step verification was turned on and there is no access to any alternate verification method, the account cannot be recovered through support.
• Support agents cannot send password reset links or change account details for Microsoft accounts.

Given that the account is old and there is not enough information to complete recovery, the practical outcome is:

• If the account has been inactive for over two years, create a new account.
• If it may still exist, make one more attempt with the Sign-in Helper and then the Account recovery form from a device and location previously used with that account, if possible.

---

• I can't sign in to my Microsoft account
• Reset a forgotten Microsoft account password
• Help with the Microsoft account recovery form
• Help with the Microsoft account recovery form
• My username and password have stopped working