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1. #Emergency recovery using the recovery code smart switch how to#
2. #Emergency recovery using the recovery code smart switch update#
3. #Emergency recovery using the recovery code smart switch code#
4. #Emergency recovery using the recovery code smart switch password#

You must create it before you need it and store it in a safe place.

#Emergency recovery using the recovery code smart switch code#

You cannot find your Microsoft recovery code if you have not created it ahead of time. Related Questions How do I find my Microsoft recovery code? (Sadly, it’s not uncommon that it does not.)Īnd, of course, make sure that you’re always backing up your email, just in case. Then you’ll have to follow account recovery instructions to manually regain access to your account, and hope that the process works. Not all hackers do this, but some are savvy enough to change all of your recovery information, including this code. If someone else gains unauthorized access to your account, they could change the recovery code, and the one you have will no longer work. Possession of the recovery code should prove that you are who you say you are, even if you’re in another country, and should allow you back into your account. One common scenario where a Microsoft account recovery code comes in handy is if you find yourself locked out because you’re traveling. Most importantly, make sure you have access when you need it.

(Be careful if you have any sort of auto-upload of your smartphone photos enabled.)

#Emergency recovery using the recovery code smart switch password#

Alternatively, encrypt the file and save the password to that encryption to your password vault. Copy/Paste the code into your password vault if it supports free-form secure notes.If you use a password, make certain it’s secure and strong.

Copy/Paste the code into a text document (perhaps using Notepad), and save the resulting file to a secure location, and/or encrypt the text file using tools such as 7-Zip, BoxCryptor, VeraCrypt, GPG, or other technologies.Print the code and save that paper in a safe or other secure location.

#Emergency recovery using the recovery code smart switch how to#

(Click for larger image.) How to save your codeĪs I mentioned above, this code needs to be saved so it’s available to you when you need it, but it also needs to be saved securely so it doesn’t fall into the hands of someone who could use it to hack into your account. You’ll then be presented with your new code. Scroll down to find “Recovery code”, and click on Replace recovery code 3. Look for “Advanced security options” and click Get started. Next you’ll reconfirm either your password, PIN, or other authentication method to confirm you’re authorized to make changes.

#Emergency recovery using the recovery code smart switch update#

You may then need to scroll down to click on Update underneath “Update your security info”. While signed in to your Microsoft account, click on your profile icon (or initials, if you haven’t set a profile image) in the upper right, and then click on My account. Without a code, you’ll need to find some other way to log in or recover your account. If you can’t log in, you can’t create a code. You need to be able to log in to your account to create it. Get it before you need itĪ Microsoft account recovery code is useful only if it’s been created before you need it. Make sure to get a new one should you ever use yours. My understanding is that a code can be used only once. 2 Should you get a new one, make sure you replace any previous copies you’ve kept. If you note the wording of the dialog above closely, you’ll see that it says, “If you previously had a recovery code, it is no longer valid.”Įach time you generate a code for an account, it replaces the previous one. If you store it physically, perhaps by printing it out, then you save that paper in a very safe and secure location. If you store it digitally, as I do, that means you encrypt it. Once you get one, you need to keep it safe and secure. I’ll put it differently: being able to provide the code when requested may be enough to regain access to your Microsoft account should you ever forget your password, be unable to recover it, or get locked out of the account (perhaps when travelling).Ī recovery code, then, is very valuable. To be clear, this is not two-factor authentication, but it is an additional “thing” - a factor, if you will - that proves you are the rightful owner of an account. It’s a number that’s generated and assigned to you on request. My calculations make that a number between zero and … well … 8 followed by 39 zeros 1. (Click for larger image.)įive groups of five letters and digits. Here’s an example: A Microsoft account recovery code. In fact, it looks very much like an old-style Microsoft product key.

What a recovery code isĪ recovery code is nothing more than a long, complex number. If you ever get locked out it may be the only way you’ll be able to regain access to your account. Generate one via your Microsoft account’s security settings before you need it, and keep it in a safe place. A Microsoft account recovery code is a magic number proving you’re authorized to access your account.