How to Reset a Hotmail Password if You Forgot the Secret Answer

By Jess Jones

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Hotmail, the free webmail service that's part of Microsoft's Windows Live suite, gives you the option to answer a secret question if you forget your email password. When you set up your Hotmail account, the service prompts you to pick the question and answer. However, if you forget your secret answer as well as your password, you can have Hotmail send you instructions to help you get back into your account and reset the password.

Step 1

Go to the Hotmail home page at http://www.hotmail.com. You will see spaces where you can type in your Hotmail address and password. Type your Hotmail address in the space labeled “Windows Live ID.”

Step 2

Click the blue link under the password field that reads “Forgot Your Password?” A new page will load.

Step 3

Type your Hotmail email address into the space next to “Windows Live ID.” You will see a picture with a set of letters and numbers. Type these characters into the space labeled “Characters.” They are not case-sensitive. Click on the "Continue" button. A new page will load.

Step 4

Click the radio button next to the phrase “Send password reset instructions to me in e-mail.” Click on the "Continue" button. More options will appear on the screen.

Step 5

Click the radio button next to the alternative email address you entered when you set up your Hotmail account. Click "Continue." Hotmail has now sent instructions to your alternative email address that will help you reset your password and secret question and answer.

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