Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live.com, and MSN addresses all use Microsoft account sign-in. The password reset is the same across those addresses; the right path depends on whether you can currently sign in.
Does this affect you?
Use this for a personal Microsoft account email address when you forgot the password or want to change it while signed in.
Forgot your password
Use this when the current password is not accepted.
- Open Outlook.com, the Outlook app, or the Microsoft sign-in page.
- Enter your email address and choose Forgot password.
- Select a recovery method, such as text, phone call, or recovery email.
- Enter the code Microsoft sends.
- If Microsoft needs more proof, answer the account questionnaire as accurately as possible.
- Create and confirm a new password.
- Sign in again on other devices when they request the new password.
Change your password while signed in
Use this for a routine security update.
- Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in.
- Open Security.
- Choose Password security or Change password.
- Enter the current password.
- Enter and confirm the new password.
- Save the change and update your password manager.
More control
Update security info
Open account.microsoft.com > Security info and make sure a current phone number and alternate email are listed. Without them, recovery becomes slower and more uncertain.
Add Microsoft Authenticator
The Authenticator app gives you a verification method that does not depend on SMS delivery, which is useful during travel or carrier issues.
Turn on two-step verification
Two-step verification adds protection beyond the password and can help Microsoft trust normal sign-ins from your usual devices. Remove old recovery methods you no longer control.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Reset a forgotten Microsoft account password (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Change or reset your Microsoft account password (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Add security info to your Microsoft account (2025)