Possible hacked Microsoft email account

Could be that somebody was trying to get into your account. This is legit message from MS.

Goto: Sign in to your Microsoft account
(you'll get another code to login..)
and check attempted logons into your account.

Activity on MS accounts was pretty high last months. This is from mine:

So, did you change the password? And were there any unsuccessful (or unknown) login attempts?

AndreTen said:

So, did you change the password? And were there any unsuccessful (or unknown) login attempts?

Well, I am feeling foolish! I misunderstood completely and simply went and changed my password before checking login attempts. In the ensuing PC housework, I added the new PW to my PW manager(in Bitdefender) then opened a word document I keep on a thumb drive made the change in that. During all this open close delete copy paste, I inadvertantly replaced the PW for the word document and didn't save it in a separate notepad file as a backup- I generally do this. Well, in the confusion w/ the microsoft site, I somehow got another code and following what I thought were the correct instructions. I changed the password (MS email account) AGAIN and using copy . paste I tried to open my word document only to find out I had changed the password without a backup!!! (GROAN) Fortunately, I produced a hardcopy of the password list just a day before. This list had some pw that aren't on the Bitdefender password mgr. So I now have to type ALL my passwords from the paper copy (2 pages!) and some are 12 characters including alphanumeric and symbols. I do not touch type so it will be a very tedious procedure. I have an image from 5 days ago but there have been some changes not on that image.
So all this to say I didn't follow your directions FIRST- I was (am) feeling a bit under the weather so I just didn't think I needed to go thru microsoft's hoops. I had to go to Pharmacy for some meds and when I returned I re read your instructions and followed them as written. Yea There have been 5 attempts to access my account since 12 Dec including an "Automatic Sync" 4 hrs previous today from Germany.
So after all this I profusely apologize for trying to skip a step that I didn't understand. I only recall the 2 attempts that I mentioned at the outset of this - perhaps I just assumed spam? Bitdefender does notify me that my account needs attention, so I go to settings, accounts etc and am told all is well. But I didn't get all the notices from MSFT by email. But dusty memory and such....
So if I may be so bold, what would you suggest I do? As I said, I do not use this account for anything except as a 2ndary account for an old gmail accnt that I haven't used in at least a year. Will deleting this affect my win10 install or digital license? I also have a hotmail account that I set up 20 yrs ago but only use as a throw away account when sites want an email accnt and I don't want them to have a 'good' one.
Perhaps of no account here, I was unable to use my printer after the dec patch-I figured I would get to it soon- well, now my login is local account (was Microsoft Account). When going to print he pw list, I changed the printer back to default (it had been changed to quicken PDF printer??) I got a message that this would take printer control(?) away from Windows) Fine with me! And then it worked.
So does any of this make any sense? No virus' or malware. (Bit defender Total) Nervous about all these attempts and changes to my laptop
Thanks for reading this rambling rant.
Sincerely,
Don

Nothing wrong with changing your password. Checking about Failed login attempts is a matter of precaution, or indication that something could goes on.

If you still have working password for your mail account, you can keep it. And can't think about anything major being wrong if you delete it, that is if you really don't need it.