Question about Outlook Express

I've been trying to recover my hotmail address for close to a week now. Trying to go through the password reset option that sends a code to a phone number results in me never receiving a text, despite knowing for a fact that my correct phone number is on file. Using the alternate option and providing a ton of information to verify that the address is mine results in me receiving an email with a password reset link that has "already expired or been used before." So I have finally created a new outlook identity just to be able to communicate with any sort of support in order to recover my ancient hotmail address - what needs to be done to receive a password reset email that HASN'T expired before I can even use it?!