I am unable to have an additional email for verification

Question

I am unable to have an additional email for verification

Amber Smith 0

The email I set up is an old work email and I now no longer have an additional email I can change it to, I have set up the authenticator app as the keypass and would like to remove the email option all together

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3 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Hornblower409 14,425

@Amber Smith said

would like to remove the email option all together

Are you running into the same problem described in this post - It won't let you remove the only "Email a code" method without replacing it with a new "Email a code"?
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5980693/why-doesnt-the-system-allow-to-remove-my-email-a-c

If so, it's a know bug and there is no fix or workaround at this time.

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Answer 2

EmilyS726 264.1K Independent Advisor

Hello

It is a bit unclear if you can currently sign into your account.

If you can, go to https://account.live.com > Security > Manage how I sign in, it is here you can manage your security contact information. You do need to set up at least two verification methods, otherwise it will not let you remove anything if the removal will result in one verification method.

You might also want to review the list here at Your info > Sign in preference. These are email addresses you can use to sign in as username, not as verification methods.

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Answer 3

For a personal Microsoft account, the email verification option cannot be removed if it is the only email or recovery method on file. Microsoft requires at least one verified email or phone number for account recovery and identity verification.

What can be done:

Go to the Microsoft account Security page: https://account.microsoft.com/security
Select Manage how I sign in.
Add a new way to sign in or verify, such as another recovery email, Microsoft Authenticator, or a passkey if offered.
After another method is added and verified, remove the old email from the verification methods.

Important details:

A Microsoft account can have up to 10 ways to verify sign-in.
Verification codes sent by email can only be sent to the primary alias or another email added as a verification method.
If all security information is removed, the account enters a restricted state for 30 days, and no further changes to security settings or billing information can be made during that period.

If the old work email is also an alias on the Microsoft account, remove or replace it from Your info after adding a new email address.

For a work or school account, an alternate email can be added from the Security info page, but it cannot be the work or school email address. That email method is only for password reset, not general sign-in verification.