Windows 10: Locked out of new account, microsoft demanded phone number, recovery email only caused...

it's 2024, I got a new laptop. It's windows 11. Lotta hoops just to set up. Instead of just a password and profile, a Microsoft account.But Microsoft doesn't let you make one without an existing recovery email.So in order to make a recovery email, you must find another provider that lets you make an initial email without a recovery email. The chicken or the egg!I had to go on another device and set up a new email once finding a provider, then come back to enter it as a recovery email.I downloaded Outlook. Was this my mistake? Does Outlook just make things worse!?Upon trying to log in to t

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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.

 

How can I un-link my current Microsoft account that is tagged to my Windows activation license and link it to a new Microsoft account?

You don't make a new account & try to move your entitlements to it, you change the email address associated with the original account.

From Microsoft Support - Change the email address or phone number for your Microsoft account

 

Add a new phone number to my Microsoft Account

Hi Thuan,

I am Sumit, an Independent Advisor and a 3 year Windows Insider MVP here to help.

Via
https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/help/12407/...

To add a new email address or phone number as an alias:

1. Sign in to Manage how you sign in to Microsoft with your Microsoft account.

Sign in to your Microsoft account

2. You may be prompted to enter your Microsoft account password or to enter a code sent to the email address or phone number listed in your account's security information. By providing this info to us, we know the request is coming from you.

3. Under the Account aliases section, select either Add email or Add phone number.

4. If you selected Add a phone number, follow these steps:

5.Select your country from the list.

6. Enter the phone number you want to use, and then select Next.

7. When you add a new phone number, we'll send a text message to that number to verify it. Enter the code from the text message, and then select Next.

I hope that helps.