I cant sign in to my hotmail account.i went to forgot my password but when i typed in my secret answer it says its wrong.ive had my account for years!i dnt understand whats going on im realy upset and i have important emails on the way please help

To reset your Windows Live Hotmail password and create a new when you have forgotten your old:

• Go to the Windows Live Hotmail password reset page.
• Make sure I forgot my password is selected underWhat problem are you having signing in?.
• Click Reset your password.
• Type your Windows Live Hotmail address underWindows Live ID:.
• Enter the characters from the captcha underCharacters.
  • Alternatively, select I can't see this image and type the characters as you hear them.
• Click Next.
• If you have provided an alternate email address for your Windows Live Hotmail account:
  • Make sure Email me a reset link is selected under Select an option for resetting your password..
  • Click Next.
  • Open the message from Windows Live Team with the subject Windows Live Password Reset at your alternate email address.
  • Follow the link under If you requested this password reset, go here:.
• If you have a set up a security question with a secret answer:
  • Make sure Security Question is selected under Select an option for resetting your password..
  • Type the answer to the question that appears after Question: under Secret answer:.
  • Click Next.
• Type the desired new password under New password: and Retype new password:.
• Click Continue.
• Click Done.

Open your Web browser and navigate to hotmail.com. The Microsoft Hotmail website will appear on the screen.
Click the icon for your account beneath "Sign In" on the right side of the browser.
Click "Forgot your password?" beneath the password entry box.
The "Reset your password" screen will appear.
Select "I forgot my password." Click "Reset your password" that appears beneath "I forgot my password."
Select "Security Question" to reset your password using the security question you set up on your Hotmail account.
Type the answer to the security question that appears and then click "Next."
If you do not know the answer to the security question, select "Customer Support" and then click "Customer Support" to contact Microsoft Support to reset your password password to your old password.

If you answered the security question correctly, proceed to Step 5.
Type your new password to the right of "Type new password."
You can use an old password that was previously used with the account or you can create a new password.
Type the new password to the right of the "Retype new password" box and then click "Next" to finish the process.
Change Password
Open your Web browser and navigate to hotmail.com.
The Microsoft Hotmail website will appear on the screen.
Click the icon associated with your account beneath "Sign In."
Enter your Windows Live ID and password, and click "Sign In."
Hotmail will open on your screen.
Click your account name in the upper-right corner of the Hotmail account and then click "Account."
Click "Change" to the right of "Password" beneath "Account information."
The "Change your password" screen will appear.
Type your old password to the right of "Old password."
Type your new password to the right of "Type your new password" and then type your new password again to the right of "Retype new password."
Click "Save." Your password will be successfully changed. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316659
Open a browser.
Go to the Windows Live Hotmail log-in page using the link in Resources.
Type your Windows Live ID and password in the fields to the right. Click the "Sign in" button.
Click the Inbox link to the left.
Your email will be displayed.

http://mail.live.com/

On the Hotmail sign-in page click the "Can't access your account?" link below the "Sign in" button.

Old hotmail password back Open your Web browser and navigate to hotmail.com. The Microsoft Hotmail website will appear on the screen. Click the icon for your account beneath "Sign In" on the right side of the browser. Click "Forgot your password?" beneath the password entry box. The "Reset your password" screen will appear. Select "I forgot my password." Click "Reset your password" that appears beneath "I forgot my password." Select "Security Question" to reset your password using the security question you set up on your Hotmail account. Type the answer to the security question that appears and then click "Next." If you do not know the answer to the security question, select "Customer Support" and then click "Customer Support" to contact Microsoft Support to reset your password password to your old password. If you answered the security question correctly, proceed to Step 5. Type your new password to the right of "Type new password." You can use an old password that was previously used with the account or you can create a new password. Type the new password to the right of the "Retype new password" box and then click "Next" to finish the process. b> Change Password b> Open your Web browser and navigate to hotmail.com. The Microsoft Hotmail website will appear on the screen. Click the icon associated with your account beneath "Sign In." Enter your Windows Live ID and password, and click "Sign In." Hotmail will open on your screen. Click your account name in the upper-right corner of the Hotmail account and then click "Account." Click "Change" to the right of "Password" beneath "Account information." The "Change your password" screen will appear. Type your old password to the right of "Old password." Type your new password to the right of "Type your new password" and then type your new password again to the right of "Retype new password." Click "Save." Your password will be successfully changed. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316659

Open a browser. Go to the Windows Live Hotmail log-in page using the link in Resources. Type your Windows Live ID and password in the fields to the right. Click the "Sign in" button. Click the Inbox link to the left. Your email will be displayed.
http://mail.live.com/

WHICH EMAIL ACCOUNT ?????????

Old hotmail password back Open your Web browser and navigate to hotmail.com. The Microsoft Hotmail website will appear on the screen. Click the icon for your account beneath "Sign In" on the right side of the browser. Click "Forgot your password?" beneath the password entry box. The "Reset your password" screen will appear. Select "I forgot my password." Click "Reset your password" that appears beneath "I forgot my password." Select "Security Question" to reset your password using the security question you set up on your Hotmail account. Type the answer to the security question that appears and then click "Next." If you do not know the answer to the security question, select "Customer Support" and then click "Customer Support" to contact Microsoft Support to reset your password password to your old password. If you answered the security question correctly, proceed to Step 5. Type your new password to the right of "Type new password." You can use an old password that was previously used with the account or you can create a new password. Type the new password to the right of the "Retype new password" box and then click "Next" to finish the process. b> Change Password b> Open your Web browser and navigate to hotmail.com. The Microsoft Hotmail website will appear on the screen. Click the icon associated with your account beneath "Sign In." Enter your Windows Live ID and password, and click "Sign In." Hotmail will open on your screen. Click your account name in the upper-right corner of the Hotmail account and then click "Account." Click "Change" to the right of "Password" beneath "Account information." The "Change your password" screen will appear. Type your old password to the right of "Old password." Type your new password to the right of "Type your new password" and then type your new password again to the right of "Retype new password." Click "Save." Your password will be successfully changed. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316659

Open a browser. Go to the Windows Live Hotmail log-in page using the link in Resources. Type your Windows Live ID and password in the fields to the right. Click the "Sign in" button. Click the Inbox link to the left. Your email will be displayed.
http://mail.live.com/

Hi,
Try first yahoo messenger or yahoo mail, to known what's the problem maybe hotmail website server On-going maintenance. if it's ok, try to sign in again to hotmail. If you forgot password, click blue fonts Forgot your password? then answer some secret question to activate your account.

Just let me known if same problem.
Regards.

Hi there. To reset your hotmail password, go to www.hotmail.com and from there select the "Forgot your password?" link. Hit the "I forgot my password" radio button, then click "reset your password". From there, type in your e-mail address (make sure not to spell anything wrong!) and type in the characters in the picture. If you can't get it right, then reset the picture. You will have 3 options now - e-mail a reset link, answer a security question, or contact support. You can choose any of these. The first one will only work if you had a separate account attached to your hotmail. The second one is easy - just answer your security question. You picked this when you signed up for your account. As a last resort, contact support. You will have to fill in a form with some information about your account, but they will be happy to help and should reset your account for you! Support has always worked for me. If you need any more help, please let me know! Alex

You will need to reset your hotmail password, click on the link below to get started:

https://account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx

From the "Help Central" link at the bottom of the 'www.hotmail.com' web-page:

Reset your password
You can reset your password in two ways:

By requesting a password reset e-mail, if you entered an alternative e-mail address for your Windows Live ID.

By providing location information and the secret answer for the question you selected.

Reset your password by requesting a password reset e-mail

On any Windows Live ID site or service sign-in page, click Forgot your password?.

Verify your Windows Live ID (The e-mail address and password that you use to sign in to Windows Live programs and services such as Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger; Microsoft services such as Xbox LIVE, MSN, and Office Live; and anywhere else that you see the Windows Live ID logo.) , type the characters you see in the Picture box, and then click Continue.

Select Send password reset instructions to me in e-mail.

Select the e-mail address where you want the password reset e-mail to be sent, and then click Continue.

On the confirmation page, click OK.

When you receive the password reset e-mail, click the link in the e-mail to reset your password,
and then follow the online instructions.


Reset your password by entering your secret answer

On any Windows Live ID site or service sign-in page, click Forgot your password?.

Verify your Windows Live ID (The e-mail address and password that you use to sign in to Windows Live programs and services such as Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger; Microsoft services such as Xbox LIVE, MSN, and Office Live; and anywhere else that you see the Windows Live ID logo.) ,
type the characters you see in the Picture box, and then click Continue.

Click Use my location information and secret answer to verify my identity.

In the Country/Region list, select your country or region, select your state, and then type your ZIP code
( The postal code system that is used in the United States.
The ZIP code consists of a series of digits that are added to a postal address.
The ZIP code is used to identify each postal delivery area for the purpose of sorting mail.)
or postal code ( A series of letters and/or digits that are added to a postal address
and used by the postal service for the purpose of sorting mail.) if you’re prompted to do so.
If you've moved since signing up for your Windows Live ID,
use the location information you last provided.
If you've provided both a home and work location, enter your home location.
In the Question area in the Secret Answer box, type your answer to the question.
Click Continue.
Enter and confirm a new password, and then click Continue.
If prompted, enter an alternate e-mail address
(An alternate e-mail address is a secondary e-mail address registered with your Windows Live ID.
If you forget your password, you can have the password reset information sent to your alternate e-mail address.)
and click Continue, or click Skip to bypass this step.
On the You've changed your password page, click Sign in to Windows Live.

Note
Multiple attempts at signing in with the incorrect password might cause your account to become blocked.
If your account becomes blocked, you will be asked to Match the characters in the picture and sign in again.

i just tried logging in as you and it says the question is "favorite teacher".

ummm, did you give them an alternative email address? when it asks you if they should send your new password to your other email, say yes.