Microsoft Outlook is widely used in India for personal emails (@outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com) and professional accounts (Office 365 / Microsoft 365). Many people forget their password or need to view a saved one when setting up on a new phone, laptop, or app.
Important Security Note: Microsoft does not allow you to view your password in plain text directly for safety reasons. You can only view saved passwords in browsers or Windows Credential Manager, or recover/reset a forgotten password through official methods. Never use third-party tools from untrusted sources as they can steal your data.
Here are the step-by-step instructions to check saved Outlook credentials or recover access to your Outlook account if you’ve forgotten your password. These methods work for Outlook on Windows, macOS, mobile devices, and Outlook on the web.
Why Do You Need to Check Your Outlook Password?
- Setting up email on a new phone or Outlook desktop app.
- Logging in after clearing browser data.
- Updating password in saved apps.
- Recovering a forgotten password safely.
1. View Saved Outlook Password in Web Browser (Easiest Method)
If you previously saved your password while logging into Outlook.com on a browser:
Microsoft Edge (Recommended for Windows Users)
- Open Microsoft Edge browser.
- Click the three dots (⋯) in the top-right corner.
- Go to Settings.
- Click Passwords and autofill (or Profiles > Passwords).
- Select Microsoft Password Manager.
- Search for “outlook.com”, “live.com”, or “microsoft” in the search bar.
- Click the right arrow or the eye icon 👁 next to your account.
- Enter your Windows PIN, device password, or biometric (fingerprint/face) to reveal the password.
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome.
- Click the three dots → Settings.
- Go to Autofill and passwords → Google Password Manager.
- Search for Outlook or Microsoft.
- Click on the account and use the eye icon to view the password (you may need your device PIN).
Tip: Make sure you are signed into the same Microsoft account in the browser.
2. Check in Windows Credential Manager (For Desktop Outlook App)
- Press Windows key + S, type Credential Manager, and open it.
- Go to Web Credentials or Windows Credentials.
- Look for entries containing “outlook”, “microsoft”, “live.com”, or your email address.
- Click on the entry → Show (or expand it).
- Enter your Windows login password/PIN to reveal the saved password.
This works well for accounts added in the Outlook desktop application on Windows 11/10.
3. Recover Forgotten Outlook Password (Official Microsoft Method)
If you cannot view the saved password:
- Go to outlook.com or account.microsoft.com in any browser.
- Click Sign in.
- Enter your email address and click Next.
- Click on Forgot password? or Forgotten your password?.
- Verify your identity:
- Enter the code sent to your alternate email or phone number.
- Answer security questions if set up.
- Use recovery codes or Microsoft Authenticator app.
- Once verified, create a new strong password.
Pro Tip: Always keep an alternate email and phone number updated in your Microsoft account for easy recovery.
4. On Mobile Phones (Android & iPhone)
Android
- Go to Settings → Passwords & accounts (or search “Passwords”).
- Tap Google Password Manager (if using Chrome) or check saved passwords in your browser app.
- For Outlook app: You may need to remove the account and re-add it with the correct password.
iPhone / iPad
- Open Settings.
- Tap Passwords (or Passwords & Accounts on older iOS).
- Search for “outlook” or your email.
- Tap the account to view the password (authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode).
5. In Outlook Desktop App (Windows)
- Open Outlook.
- Go to File → Account Settings → Account Settings.
- Select your email account and click Change.
- The password field is usually masked (dots). You cannot view it directly here — use browser or Credential Manager instead.
6. Additional Methods
- Microsoft Authenticator App: If set up, it can help with recovery.
- Password Managers: If you use Bitwarden, LastPass, or built-in ones, check there.
- For Work/School Accounts: Contact your organization’s IT administrator.
Extra Tips for Users
- Strong Passwords: Use at least 12 characters with letters, numbers, and symbols. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for better security.
Common Issues:
- No recovery options? Use the Microsoft account recovery form with as many details as possible (old passwords, purchase dates, etc.).
- Account hacked? Immediately change password and review recent activity at account.microsoft.com/security.
- Data Privacy: Only use official Microsoft websites and apps. Avoid downloading random “password recovery” tools.
- Office 365 / Work Email: Password is managed by your company. Contact HR or IT support.
- Prevent Forgetting: Use a reliable password manager and enable biometric login (fingerprint/face unlock).
- While Traveling: Keep recovery phone number active on
Security Best Practices
- Never share your password with anyone.
- Regularly review saved passwords and remove old ones.
- Update your recovery information in Microsoft account settings.
- Use Microsoft Authenticator for 2FA instead of SMS.
- If you suspect a breach, change the password immediately and scan your device for malware.
Conclusion
Checking or recovering your Outlook password is straightforward using built-in browser tools, Windows Credential Manager, or Microsoft’s official recovery process. The key is to use trusted methods and keep your recovery options updated.
Save this article or take screenshots of the steps. Share it with friends and family who often struggle with email logins. Staying secure online is especially important in today’s digital world.
If none of the methods work for your specific case (e.g., very old account), visit account.live.com/password/reset or contact Microsoft Support through the official help page.
Note: Steps may vary slightly with software updates. Always use official Microsoft links and enable strong security features. This guide is for legitimate account recovery only.