Set up an email address as your verification method

You can follow these steps to add your password reset method. After you've set this up the first time, you can return to the Security info page to add, update, or delete your security information.

If what you're seeing on your screen doesn't match what's being covered in this article, it means that your administrator hasn't turned on this experience yet. Until this experience is turned on, you must follow the instructions and information in the Set up my account for two-step verification section.

Note: If you don't see an email option, it's possible that your organization doesn't allow you to use this option for your password reset method. In this case, you'll need to choose another method or contact your organization's help desk for more help.

Security versus password reset verification

Security info methods are used for both two-factor security verification and for password reset. However, not all methods can be used for both.

Method	Used for
Authenticator app	Two-factor verification and password reset authentication.
Text messages	Two-factor verification and password reset authentication.
Phone calls	Two-factor verification and password reset authentication.
Security key	Two-factor verification and password reset authentication.
Email account	Password reset authentication only. You'll need to choose a different method for two-factor verification.
Security questions	Password reset authentication only. You'll need to choose a different method for two-factor verification.

Set up your email address from the Security info page

Depending on your organization’s settings, you might be able to use your email address as one of your security info methods.

Note: We recommend using an email address that doesn't require your network password to access. If you don't see the email option, it's possible that your organization doesn't allow you to use an email for verification. If this is the case, you'll need to choose another method or contact your administrator for more help.

To set up your email address

Sign in to your work or school account and then go to your My Account page.
Select Security info from the left navigation pane or from the link in the Security info block, and then select Add method from the Security info page.
On the Add a method page, select Email from the drop-down list, and then select Add.
On the Email page, type your email address (for example, alain@gmail.com), and then select Next.

Important: This email address can't be your work or school email.
Type the code sent to your specified email address, and then select Next. Your security info is updated and you can use your email address to verify your identity when using password reset.

Delete your email address from your security info methods

If you no longer want to use your email address as a security info method, you can remove it from the Security info page.

Important: If you delete your email address by mistake, there's no way to undo it. You'll have to add the method again.

To delete your email address

On the Security info page, select the Delete link next to the Email option.
Select Yes from the confirmation box to delete the email account. After the email account is deleted, it's removed from your security info and it disappears from the Security info page.

Next steps

Reset your password if you've lost or forgotten it, from the Password reset portal or follow the steps in the Reset your work or school password article.
Get troubleshooting tips and help for sign-in problems in the Can't sign in to your Microsoft account article.

Set up an email address as your verification method

Security versus password reset verification

Set up your email address from the Security info page

To set up your email address

Delete your email address from your security info methods

To delete your email address

Next steps

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