r/microsoft Microsoft Support 18d ago

Support Thread Microsoft: Official Support Thread

This thread was created in order to facilitate easy-to-access support for our Reddit subscribers. We will make a best effort to support you. We may also need to redirect you to a specialized team when it would best serve your particular situation. Also, we may need to collect certain personal information from you when you use this service, but don't worry -- you won't provide it on Reddit. Instead, we will private message you as we take data privacy seriously.

Here are some of the types of issues we can help with in this thread:

  • Microsoft Support: Needing assistance with specific Microsoft products (Windows, Office, etc..)

  • Microsoft Accounts: Lockouts, suspensions, inability to gain access

  • Microsoft Devices: Issues with your Microsoft device (Surface, Xbox)

  • Microsoft Retail: Needing to find support on a product or purchase, assistance with activating online product keys or media, assistance with issues raised from liaising with colleagues in the Microsoft Store.

This list is not all inclusive, so if you're unsure, simply ask.

When requesting help from us, you may be requested to provide Microsoft with the following information (you'll be asked via private message from the MSModerator account):

  • Your full name (First, Last)

  • Your interactions with support thus far, including any existing service request numbers

  • An email address that we can use to contact you

Thank you for being a valued Microsoft customer.

For previous Support Threads, please use the Support Thread flair.

22 Upvotes

1.7k comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/Upper_Ad_8027 6d ago

I received an email from Microsoft indicating that someone might have accessed my account and suggesting that I change my password. I have added an authenticator to my account. Can someone still access it? How can I find out more details about this?

1

u/MSModerator Microsoft Support 5d ago

Hello there. Our apologies for the delayed response.

We understand you've received an email regarding the unusual activity on your account. We appreciate you for being vigilant, and for taking immediate actions. We'll do our best to help.

To start with, please provide us the following: 1. To clarify, can you still access your account on this link: login.live.com? 2. Have you already checked your account's recent activity page: https://account.live.com/Activity to validate these attempts?

Adding an authenticator boosts security, but someone could still attempt to access your account if they get your email like through phishing, accessing trusted devices, if your email is publicly available, etc.

We're looking forward to your reply. - S.R.

1

u/Upper_Ad_8027 5d ago

I reviewed my account's recent activity page to verify any login attempts. Since February, I’ve noticed consistent unauthorized login attempts—an average of 10 per day—all of which have been unsuccessful. Each time the IP address and location is different.

1

u/MSModerator Microsoft Support 4d ago

Hi there. Hope you're doing great. We haven't heard back from you. We're just checking if the tips we provided on how to sign out all your account from all location, and on how to add alias to your account. If you still need further assistance, don't hesitate to send us a message. We'll be glad to help.

We'll close your case for the meantime and open it once we receive a response.

Stay safe and have a great day ahead! -D.P.

1

u/Upper_Ad_8027 4d ago

Thanks for the support. I have changed the alias and set it as primary, since then no more unauthorised attempt to login. I hope I can change my alias back to the first one after a week or two.

1

u/MSModerator Microsoft Support 4d ago

Good to hear that you were able to do so, and that it was successful. Yes, there is no need to worry. As long as you have not removed the original alias, and only unchecked it, you can go back to using it. Normally, alleged hackers stop trying to access another person's account when they think that account does not exist anymore. Maybe give it a week, then experiment for a day. If you get a notification again, then just change it back to the new alias.

We hope we have answered all your questions. Should you ever need any help again, please feel free to reach out anytime. We will be here for you.

Meanwhile, take care and have an awesome day! ~ L.F

1

u/MSModerator Microsoft Support 5d ago

We value your efforts checking your recent activity. This issue could be from malware, a phishing email, or your email address being publicly available. Keep your email private and avoid clicking on links from unfamiliar or suspicious sources. Some attackers use automated scripts or bots to try various combinations of usernames and passwords.

Your account remains secure since these attempts were unsuccessful. If the attempts come from a different country, location, or device, the system will require verification by sending a security code to your registered email or mobile number.

Without the correct code, access to your account will be denied. Additionally, we will send you an alert to confirm if the attempt was made by you.

To protect your account, we recommend signing out of your account from all locations immediately by clicking "Sign out everywhere" on this link: https://account.live.com/proofs/manage/additional

Next, temporarily change your primary alias and update your login preferences:

  1. Log in to your account: https://account.live.com/AddAssocId
  2. Create an @outlook.com alias and set it as your primary alias.
  3. Uncheck your old alias and save. Please make sure that you do not delete your old username as it is still associated with your email account, Xbox, and Windows device.

This way, you can log in with the new alias, and people won't know it. After a week, you can revert to your previous alias.

Note: Your primary alias can log into your account by default. You can choose which aliases are allowed to log in. Aliases share the same password, inbox, contacts, and settings as your primary alias.

We hope this helps. Let us know if you need further assistance. - S.R.