Security code not received and old email address still showing after changing Microsoft account

Question

Details:

Changes Made: I updated my Microsoft account primary alias to a new email address and completely removed the old, inactive email address from my account profile.

Issue: When I try to log in and select the "Email a code" option, the system still claims to have sent the code to my old email address.

Symptoms: I am not receiving any security codes on either the new email or the old one.

Troubleshooting tried: I've tried entering both the old and new addresses when prompted to verify the email for security, but no code arrives at either inbox.

Questions:

Why is the system still pointing to my deleted email address for security verification?

• What should I do if the security code is not being delivered to either the old or the new email address? Is there a propagation delay for these changes to take effect?

Answer 1

When you delete an alias, you can no longer use that email address to sign in to your Microsoft account. However, if that same email address is still listed as a security contact method (also called “security info” or “proofs”), removing the alias won’t stop Microsoft from asking you to verify using that email.

If you’re being prompted to verify and you try to change the email during that process, you will not receive a code, because verification codes will only be sent to the security info that’s already saved on the account. To review or update your security contact methods, sign in here and manage your “proofs” (email/phone): https://account.live.com/proofs/manage/additional