Windows 7 - Password reset mail

Asked By Kjell B.

11-Oct-09 01:48 PM

Hi,

I have recently received a couple of mails from Microsoft Support
[postmaster@live.com] about resetting the Windows Live password.

In the mail, I am instructed to either confirm the reset by copying a
link into my browser or to cancel the reset by copying another link.

I did not request a reset, so I guess someone is after my account.

Now, I find it insecure to copy a link like that to cancel the reset.
Isn't it just better to ignore the reset request? How do I know it is
not a fishing attempt? I have no problems to log in to my account. I
have done so and changed the password after the mail about the reset
request.

Isn't there a way to cancel the reset from inside Windows Live once I
have logged in? That would feel a lot more secure as I can actually log
in as I have my password available and working.

What is the benefit of actively canceling the request as opposed to just
ignoring it?

Why is this email from postmaster sent to the email address for which
the reset is requested and not to the alternate email address? If I need
a reset because I cannot access my account, I cannot read the email
anyway, can I?

Confused...

--
Kjell

11-Oct-09 02:43 PM

Just ignore it if you can log in. If you continue to receive emails from
them, contact MS directly on the Live page or through Feedback.

11-Oct-09 07:57 PM

Ignoring it is a good recourse and what support will tell you if you contact
them. On the other hand, changing the password and secret questions at
http://account.live.com yourself might also be a good idea.
Someone may be trying to hack your account, but most likely someone is an idiot
and thinks that your email address is theirs and, of course, they cannot sign in
with it. I have a few LiveIDs that suffer from this. One idiot has his xbox
Billing contact email address configured to be my email address @live.com.
Obviously, their correct LiveID is what they sign in with, but all email and
reminders go to my address. Duh.
-steve



--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare/Live Mesh/MSE Forums Moderator
sboots@mvps.org

09-Nov-09 08:00 PM

I forgot my password.

10-Nov-09 04:43 AM

See:
https://windowslivehelp.com/solutions/accounts/archive/2008/10/25/i-forgot-my-password.aspx
-steve



--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare/Live Mesh/MSE Forums Moderator
sboots@mvps.org

26-Dec-09 02:23 AM

I have had DOZENS of these mails now, so, naturally I am now ignoring them.
What give?

26-Dec-09 11:53 AM

Someone is trying to access your account - probably because they are stupid and
think that your LiveID is theirs. A hacker is not likely to repeat attempts for a
reset of the password. Keep ignoring the reset emails and make sure that you
have a strong password and secret questions in case you actually need to have
the password really reset for you.
-steve


--
Stephen Boots
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live
sboots@mvps.org

23-Mar-10 09:17 AM

I can not access to my email addr " vinniechan@hotmail.com ".  I have try so
many many time to do the password resetting in your website till i frustrated
now. Can u pls send a password to my email (mrs_viyianlim@hotmail.com) so
that i  can open my " vinniechan@hotmail.com " email. Thank You very much.

Regards
Viyian

Confused...

23-Mar-10 06:56 PM

Support for Hotmail and Windows Live ID at http://windowslivehelp.com
if you have forgotten your password and cannot reset it through the usual means,
see this page for information on how to get help with it:
https://windowslivehelp.com/solution.aspx?solutionid=bf5d34bf-db28-44ca-ac9a-93838d81b2d6

-steve



--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare/Live Mesh/MSE Forums Moderator
sboots@mvps.org