If you use Microsoft products, you may appreciate the convenience of a central login for Windows 10/11, outlook.com, Xbox, Office 365 (now Microsoft 365), Azure, Teams, and other services.
But whether you sign in to your account with Outlook, Hotmail, Gmail, or another email service, recent credential-based threats are a troubling development. With nation-state actors increasingly targeting your passwords, you may find yourself needing a Microsoft password reset.
Below, we provide easy instructions on how to reset your Microsoft account password and tips on how you can stay safe in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Methods to Reset Your Microsoft Password
Resetting your password and account recovery options
Change a known password:
- Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with your user ID & current password.
- Select “Security” and enter your password again.
- Select “Change my Password.”
- Enter your old/current password and then your new password.
- Select “Save.”
Change a forgotten password:
- Visit the password reset page https://account.live.com/password/reset
- In the “Recover your Account” box, enter your email, phone number, or Skype name. Click “Next.”
- To verify your identity, Microsoft will send you a security or verification code. When you receive the code, enter it in the “Verify Your Identity” box and then click “Next.”
- Once verified, you’ll be prompted to create your new password and confirm it.
Using Microsoft's password reset tool
Does your organization use Azure AD (Entra ID)? If so, you have access to Microsoft’s Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) tool. This tool allows you to reset your password with no IT or helpdesk assistance. You’ll need to register at least one authentication method, such as a mobile app code, email, mobile phone, or security questions.
Note that you can only reset your password if you register an authentication method your Entra ID administrator has enabled.
Getting technical support from Microsoft
If you’re having trouble resetting your forgotten password, get help by:
- Using the Microsoft Account Sign-in Helper to troubleshoot and identify the issue
- Heading to https://passwordreset.microsoftonline.com/n/passwordreset/#!/ for work or school account password resets
- Filling out the Microsoft Account Recovery Form for personal account password resets
- Contacting your administrator if your organization uses Entra ID but hasn’t enabled SSPR. Your administrator can either reset your password or provide you with instructions for doing so.
Tips for a Successful Password Reset
Choosing a strong and unique password
A strong password is your best protection against password-related attacks. To create a long, complex password, we recommend using our password generator. By using this tool, you can easily and quickly meet NIST’s length and complexity recommendations. This helps you avoid weak or easily guessed passwords that compromise your online safety.
Enabling two-factor authentication for added security
To add an extra layer of security for your Microsoft account, set up two-step verification or two-factor authentication.
Be sure to keep your security info updated – this second form of authentication allows you to reset your password securely.
It also protects you from account takeovers: Without access to your second verification method, attackers can’t reset your password and seize control of your Microsoft apps & services.
Knowing when to update your password
Prior to NIST’s new password security guidelines, cybersecurity experts touted frequent password changes as a prudent security measure.
However, these mandatory changes had a negligible impact on preventing account takeovers. According to our Psychology of Passwords report, 89% of users know that using the same password or simple variations of it across multiple accounts are a risk.
However, 62% continue to do so. Frequent password changes actually led to password reuse and the creation of weaker credentials. At LastPass, we believe password management should be effortless, convenient, cost-effective, and safe.
Why Reset Your Microsoft Password
Importance of password security
A strong password is your first line of defense against password spray attacks – such as the ones perpetrated by Russian group Midnight Blizzard.
In a password-spray attack, the attacker works from a list of the most popular or common login credentials.
For each attack, the attacker tries one password from the list against multiple accounts. This helps them avoid the possibility of account lockouts.
In 2024 and beyond, credential-based attacks like the above show no sign of slowing, with compromised passwords remaining the top cause of security breaches. Once attackers obtain your credentials, their main targets are SaaS and web applications.
Password security is critical because password-related attacks are the main way attackers gain a foothold in your system. This initial entry point gives them the opportunity to maintain continued access over time.
Protecting your personal and work information
In light of this, your personal and work data is at risk.
By using your Microsoft account password as an initial access vector, hackers can:
- Gain admin or root access to your app, service, and gaming accounts (privilege escalation)
- Access sensitive files that contain personally identifiable information (PII) such as banking, insurance, and tax documents; business intelligence data; and proprietary trade secrets (lateral movement)
- Maintain access even if your password is changed, due to stealthy installation of malware or keyloggers in your system (persistence)
- Harvest your data to sell on the Dark Web or commit financial fraud in your name (data exfiltration and identity theft)
Replacing your password with a strong, unique one can help protect your personal and work information.
Preventing unauthorized access
Unauthorized access to your data can have a severe impact on your emotional and financial wellbeing:
- Identity theft cases resulted in losses of $23 billion for consumers in 2023, up from $20 billion in 2022.
- In 2024, the most common types of identity theft are:
|
Type of identity fraud |
Number of cases |
|
Credit card fraud |
326,617 |
|
Loan fraud |
130,330 |
|
Bank fraud |
86,035 |
|
Employment/tax-related fraud |
73,442 |
|
Utilities fraud |
62,476 |
|
Government benefits fraud |
54,678 |
Don’t let unauthorized access to your data destroy your hopes for a bright future.
FAQ
How do I recover my Microsoft account password?
You can recover your Microsoft account password by completing the account recovery steps here https://account.live.com/password/reset
How do I find my current Microsoft password without changing it?
To find your Microsoft password without changing it, look in your password vault or browser’s password manager. For security reasons, your Microsoft account password isn’t stored in a retrievable format, which means you can’t view it directly.
How do I reset my Microsoft password when my account is locked?
If your account is locked, you can reset your password by completing the account recovery steps here https://account.live.com/password/reset
