I want to recover a new account that I have lost the password for.

Question

I want to recover a new account that I have lost the password for.

Ian 0

I set up a new personal outlook account which could act as a parent account to my daughter's account. It only got used for setting up the family side of things. Now I need to renew the O365 license on my daughters account but can't do it through her email address as she is not old enough. Therefore I need to login to the new account and deactivate the family protection/limits so that she can do it via her account.

However, I stupidly didn't record the password anywhere (normally auto saved into my password app) so need to recover it. So I go and fill out the form with the correct details but get stuck when it asks for previous passwords as there aren't any! So I have tried this at least 4 times with the same resulting email stating I haven't given enough info to prove who I am.

I then tried the help line which just added to the layer of frustration. AI is great but fails at a certain point.

Please can some one help me? All I want to do is gain access to my own account.
Thanks in advance for your time.

Virginia M 42,450 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-18T19:25:38.0366667+00:00

I’m sorry to see that my reply was insufficient. Unfortunately there’s nothing we as other users can do other than offer the suggestion I posted.

As you didn’t write down/save the password then your only option is to reset the password or recover the account via the links I provided.

Have you checked the browser’s password manager as well as any manager program/app/browser extension?
Ian 0 Reputation points

2026-08-18T19:32:22.59+00:00

I know it's my fault, I have checked everywhere I can think of so just about to give up tbh! Thanks for trying though, I do appreciate you taking the time to help.
Virginia M 42,450 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-18T19:41:21.3033333+00:00

Usually the browser will automatically save the log in details or at least ask if you wish to save them. I’d check to see if the details were saved under a name other than Microsoft or Outlook.

1 answer

Your answer

Virginia M 42,450 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-18T19:25:38.0366667+00:00

I’m sorry to see that my reply was insufficient. Unfortunately there’s nothing we as other users can do other than offer the suggestion I posted.

As you didn’t write down/save the password then your only option is to reset the password or recover the account via the links I provided.

Have you checked the browser’s password manager as well as any manager program/app/browser extension?
Ian 0 Reputation points

2026-08-18T19:32:22.59+00:00

I know it's my fault, I have checked everywhere I can think of so just about to give up tbh! Thanks for trying though, I do appreciate you taking the time to help.
Virginia M 42,450 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-18T19:41:21.3033333+00:00

Usually the browser will automatically save the log in details or at least ask if you wish to save them. I’d check to see if the details were saved under a name other than Microsoft or Outlook.

Answer 1

Virginia M 42,450 Independent Advisor

Hello, I’m Virginia.

Please note we’re fellow users like yourself & have no access to accounts.

Try recovering your account here:

Can’t sign in:

https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/you-can-t-sign-in-to-your-microsoft-account-475c9b5c-8c25-49f1-9c2d-c64b7072e735

You can try also https://support.microsoft.com/home/contact & type Account Recovery in the box, then choose the Contact Support tab above & select Windows, then recovery from the drop down menus.

If none of the above work then you’ll require the account recovery form:

https://account.live.com/acsr

Please note if you have 2/multi factor authentication active on your account then you cannot use the form to recover the account.

If you’re successful in changing the details then you may find that the account is limited for 30 days, this is a security feature & cannot be circumvented.

Please be aware that if 2fa/mfa has been enabled then usually there’s nothing which can be done. You would need to create a new account & request that Microsoft transfer any purchases & subscriptions to the new account.

To request a transfer of purchases & subscriptions contact Microsoft here:

https://support.microsoft.com//help/4051701/

https://support.microsoft.com/contactUs

Ian 0 Reputation points

2026-08-18T19:28:25.93+00:00

Thanks Virginia

As I mentioned I have tried the forms etc several times. I think the issue is that I don't think there are many, if any, emails sent from the account so there's very limited info/data to go off.

Would I have left a recovery email/number as part of sign up to an outlook account? If so they why wouldn't it prompt to use that method? Seems very odd.

Alternatively is there a way for my daughter to disassociate herself from my account as the family owner? She has access to hers you see. I really don't want her to give up her address too if possible.

Thanks!
Virginia M 42,450 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-18T19:36:31.8166667+00:00

If 2 factor authentication is on the account then that should have asked you to save the backup/recovery code but not when creating an account.

If a recovery email was set up you’d still need to use the forgotten password link & then choose the recovery email address to receive the reset password link, there may be an option to send the code to another address or phone number anyway

If she’s part of a family account then the owner can delete the account however if the account is deleted the email address may not be available for 30 days. If you can delete/close her account then you can always try a new account using the same

email.
Virginia M 42,450 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-18T19:39:35.32+00:00

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/family-safety/how-to-leave-a-microsoft-family-group
Ian 0 Reputation points

2026-08-19T07:42:12.51+00:00

Thanks Virginia.

It appears that I am out of luck then as the only way to allow her to leave the group is via the email address I can't access.

I will have to delete/close the account and start again.

Thanks for your help.

Ian
Virginia M 42,450 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-19T08:35:28.79+00:00

You’re welcome Ian.

Give back to the Community. Help the next person who has this issue by indicating which reply solved your problem by clicking Yes or No below the answer you choose.

If you still require help then please continue the thread.

Thank you & have a great day/evening.
Ian 0 Reputation points

2026-08-20T14:02:25.6766667+00:00

No need to respond just wanted to say thanks Virginia.
Virginia M 42,450 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-20T14:13:25.2766667+00:00

You’re welcome.