Windows 10: Cannot access Bitlocker code in my account due to old phone number

Hello, Yesterday my laptop crashed because of a driver related issue and I got stuck in a boot loop. The solution would be to boot in a safe mode and install the missing driver or to just do a factory reset at least those are the two solutions that I know of. The issue is that both of these are locked behind Bitlocker. Until yesterday I did not know this functionality even existed. So I went into my MS account, loged in, went into devices and into manage recovery keys. This is were my issue lies, my acc has a two step verification on. As I do not regularly use my MS account I had my old phone

:)

 

Microsoft account and phone number linked

Microsoft account password recovery requires two verification codes being sent using two different verification methods. Each Microsoft account has at least two verification methods, the phone number and additional email address which are asked and required when you set up a new Microsoft account with a new hotmail.com or outlook.com email or using a third party email.

When the thief who got your phone tries to recover your password, all your verification methods / security info phone numbers and email addresses will be listed for him to select one. OK, the thief naturally selects your phone number, gets the code sent as a text message, and enters it.

But, clicking Next after entering the code he needs to select another security info contact (phone / email) from the list to receive second verification code.

Password recovery is not possible with just your phone, the system is clever enough to make it impossible by requiring two codes being sent to two different phones and / or emails.

You can add as many phone numbers and email address as you wish as security info contacts at https://account.live.com/proofs/mana...&refp=security. I wholeheartedly recommend that you add at least another security email address; if you only have one phone number and one email added, those which were required when you set up the Microsoft account, and that thief got your phone, the recovery would be as impossible to you as it is to him, you both having access to just one of required two verification methods.

 

Need to add my new phone number to account.

Hi Kim,

Your phone number on your Microsoft account is part of the security info to add privacy to your account.

If you want to reset your phone number, you'll need to remove the existing number first then add the new one. Follow the steps below:

• Go to the Security basics page and sign in with your Microsoft account.
• Select Update info.
• You may be asked to enter a security code to continue. If you don't have access to your alternate email or phone number, choose get a code a different way. Use the drop-down list to choose security info that you can access, or choose I
  don't have any of these.
• You’ll see your security info under Microsoft account. Choose
  Remove for any you want to remove. You may be asked to add new security info before you can remove the old info.
• Once done, select Add security info then follow the instructions to enter your email or phone number.
• We’ll send a security code to that new email or phone number. Enter that security code, and press Next. Your new security info will appear in your list.

Hope this helps. Post back should you have other concerns so we can further assist you.

 

How to change phone number associated with a microsoft account

Hi,

Phone number is one of your security info, which is only used to verify your identity if you're accessing sensitive personal information or if we detect a problem with your account.
To change the phone number associated with your Microsoft account, we recommend to follow the steps below:

• First, go to the
  Security basics page and sign in with your Microsoft account.
• Select Update info.
• Select Add security info. then follow the instructions to enter your email or phone number.
• We'll send a security code to that new email or phone number. Enter that security code, and press
  Next. Your new security info will appear in you list.

Check this
link for Security info & security codes.

Let us know if you need more help.