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What to do when a Hotmail account is locked
A Hotmail address uses a personal Microsoft account. If a sign-in screen says the account is locked, note the wording carefully. A security lock, an incorrect password and a work-account restriction require different next steps.
Follow Microsoft’s official lock instructions
Open Microsoft’s locked account guidance and use the route that matches the message. Complete the verification or review process offered to you. Do not assume a fixed waiting period or keep guessing passwords while a lock instruction is displayed.
Confirm the kind of account
For a personal Hotmail account, use Microsoft’s personal-account process. A workplace or school account may instead require the organisation’s administrator. If the actual problem is a forgotten password, see our Outlook password recovery guide.
After access returns
Review the account’s security details and choose a unique password if needed. Investigate unfamiliar activity and secure any recovery email account. Keep one-time codes private and enter them only in the process you initiated.
For other product questions, see Hotmail support options. An independent provider cannot remove a Microsoft lock or guarantee that an appeal will succeed. Retain any official reference and follow the instructions given for that specific account.