How to Reset Your Hotmail Password

Forgetting your email password can be frustrating, especially when you rely on your Hotmail account every day. Whether you use it for work, school, online shopping, or staying in touch with family and friends, losing access to your inbox can feel stressful. Fortunately, Microsoft has made it fairly simple to reset your Hotmail password and regain access to your account.

If you want to read more about Hotmail, you can visit our main website for helpful guides at our Home page. You'll find beginner tutorials, troubleshooting tips, security advice, and answers to many of the most common Hotmail questions.

In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about resetting your Hotmail password, recovering your account if you've forgotten your credentials, creating a stronger password, and protecting your email from future security issues.

Does Hotmail Still Use Microsoft Accounts?

Although many people still call it Hotmail, all Hotmail email addresses are now managed through Microsoft accounts. That means if your email ends with @hotmail.com, @hotmail.co.uk, @live.com, or @outlook.com, you'll reset your password using Microsoft's official account recovery system.

The process is the same regardless of which of these email addresses you use.

When Should You Reset Your Password?

There are several situations where resetting your password is a good idea:

• You've forgotten your password.

• Someone may have accessed your account.

• You noticed suspicious activity.

• Your password no longer works.

• You received a Microsoft security alert.

• You simply want to improve your account security.

Changing your password regularly isn't required, but it's a smart habit if you think your account information may have been exposed.

How to Reset Your Hotmail Password

Follow these simple steps.

Step 1: Go to Microsoft's Sign-In Page

Visit Microsoft's sign-in page and enter your Hotmail email address.

Select Next.

When asked for your password, choose Forgot password?

Step 2: Verify Your Identity

Microsoft needs to make sure you're the owner of the account.

Depending on your security settings, you may receive a verification code through:

• A recovery email

• A text message

• An authentication app

• Another verification method you've previously added

Choose your preferred option.

Step 3: Enter the Verification Code

Once you receive the security code, type it into the verification box.

If the code is correct, Microsoft will let you continue.

Step 4: Create a New Password

Choose a brand-new password.

Make sure it's different from your old password and difficult for others to guess.

Good passwords usually include:

• Uppercase letters

• Lowercase letters

• Numbers

• Special symbols

Avoid using birthdays, names, or common words.

Step 5: Sign In Again

After saving your new password, return to the login page and sign in with your new credentials.

Your account should now be accessible.

What If You Don't Receive the Verification Code?

Sometimes verification messages take a few minutes.

If you don't receive one:

• Double-check your phone number.

• Look in your spam or junk email folder.

• Request another code.

• Make sure your phone has service.

• Wait a few minutes before trying again.

If the code still doesn't arrive, try using another recovery method if one is available.

What If You Forgot Everything?

Sometimes people no longer have access to their recovery phone number or backup email.

Don't panic.

Microsoft offers an account recovery form where you can provide information about your account.

You may be asked questions like:

• Previous passwords

• Recent email subjects

• Contacts you've emailed

• Xbox information (if applicable)

• Microsoft purchases

• Skype information

The more accurate information you provide, the better your chances of recovering your account.

How Long Does Password Recovery Take?

Most password resets happen within a few minutes.

However, if Microsoft needs to manually review your account recovery request, it can take longer.

Be patient and monitor the email address you provided during the recovery process for updates.

Choosing a Strong Password

A secure password is one of the easiest ways to protect your account.

Instead of something simple like:

hotmail123

Try creating something longer, such as:

Blue!River27Sunset$

Long passwords are generally much harder for attackers to guess.

Many security experts recommend using passphrases made from several random words with numbers and symbols added.

Avoid These Common Password Mistakes

Many people accidentally make their passwords easy to guess.

Avoid using:

• Your birthday

• Your name

• Family member names

• Your pet's name

• "password"

• "123456"

• "qwerty"

• Your email address

These passwords are commonly targeted by automated attacks.

Turn On Two-Step Verification

After resetting your password, it's a good idea to enable two-step verification.

This adds another layer of protection.

Even if someone learns your password, they'll still need a second verification code before they can sign in.

This dramatically improves your account security.

Keep Your Recovery Information Updated

One of the biggest reasons people lose access to their accounts is outdated recovery information.

Take a few minutes to confirm that:

• Your recovery phone number is correct.

• Your backup email is current.

• Your authentication app still works.

Keeping this information updated makes future recovery much easier.

Signs Someone May Have Accessed Your Account

Watch for unusual activity, including:

• Password changes you didn't make

• Emails you didn't send

• Missing messages

• Security alerts from Microsoft

• Unknown devices signed into your account

If you notice any of these, reset your password immediately.

Should You Save Your Password in Your Browser?

Modern browsers can securely store passwords, but whether you should use this feature depends on your situation.

Saving passwords can be convenient if:

• You use a personal device.

• Your computer is protected with a password.

• You don't share the device with others.

Avoid saving passwords on public or shared computers.

Use a Password Manager

If you have trouble remembering passwords, consider using a password manager.

These tools generate strong passwords and securely store them for you.

Instead of remembering dozens of passwords, you'll only need to remember one master password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my Hotmail password from my phone?

Yes. The password reset process works on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.

Will resetting my password delete my emails?

No.

Changing your password does not delete your inbox, folders, contacts, or calendar.

Can I use my old password again?

Microsoft may prevent you from reusing recent passwords.

Creating a completely new password is recommended.

Is Hotmail still available?

Yes.

Existing Hotmail email addresses continue to work exactly as before, even though Microsoft now manages them through Outlook.

How often should I change my password?

There's no fixed schedule, but you should change it immediately if you suspect someone else knows it or if you receive a security warning.

Final Thoughts

Resetting your Hotmail password is usually quick and straightforward. As long as you have access to your recovery information, you can often regain access within just a few minutes. If you no longer have access to your recovery options, Microsoft's account recovery process can still help verify your identity.

Once you're back into your account, take a little extra time to strengthen your security. Create a unique password, enable two-step verification, and keep your recovery email and phone number up to date. These simple steps can help prevent future lockouts and keep your inbox safe from unauthorized access.

If you're looking for more helpful Hotmail tips, be sure to check out our guide on creating a memorable email address: How to make cool hotmail email account. You'll also find many more tutorials and troubleshooting guides throughout our website to help you get the most out of your Hotmail account.