Add password reset security information to your Microsoft account

You can add password reset security information to your Microsoft account (formerly "Windows Live ID") to help make your account more secure. If you forget your password or if someone else tries to take over your account, you can use your security info to retrieve your account. Here's how:

1. At accounts.live.com, sign in to your Microsoft account using the email address and password associated with the account.
2. On your Account overview page, click Manage under Account security and next to Security Info. The Manage security info page is displayed.
3. At the Manage security info page, you can manage the following password reset security information:
   • Mobile phone: Receive text message codes to recover your account. You can register one or more mobile numbers.
   • Alternate email address: Receive password reset information at any alternate email address that you include. You can add more than one email address.
   • Trusted PC: A trusted PC is a computer that you normally use to sign in to Windows Live Services with your Microsoft account. Windows Essentials is required on any computer that you want to configure as a Trusted PC. If you don't have Windows Live Essentials, click the link above to install it.
   • Security question: With this security option, you select from several questions and provide an answer that only you would know.
     To add information to any of these categories, click Add New and follow the instructions, and then click Save at the bottom of the page.