How to delete a Microsoft account

How to delete a Microsoft business relationship

(Paradigm credit: Shutterstock)

Wondering how to delete a Microsoft account, because you don't use yours anymore? Yous're certainly not alone.

Your Microsoft account gives you lot admission to many different services, including Outlook, Skype, Office, and Xbox Alive. Simply let'south confront it: most or all of these have alternatives available, and in some cases those are even ameliorate than what Microsoft has to offering. Plus, if you take concerns well-nigh privacy, then deleting your Microsoft business relationship is the best style to get nigh protecting your personal data.

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Before y'all go ahead though, make certain that you are fix to close your Microsoft account — continue in mind that you will lose access to your emails, Skype messages, and the documents stored in your OneDrive account. If you have an Xbox, yous will also lose your Gamertag, the games you've bought, and your progress and achievements. You'll also lose admission to the money in your Windows Store wallet.

Additionally, brand certain you've canceled any subscriptions that are associated with your Microsoft account before you delete information technology, every bit information technology tin can be difficult to cancel subscriptions when you tin no longer access the account they are connected to.

For a total list of services and subscriptions you should cheque earlier endmost your account, check out the Microsoft back up page on this bailiwick.

How to delete a Microsoft account

one. Caput to Microsoft's account closure page and log into your account. You may need to confirm your account is yours by getting a code sent to either your phone number or some other email accost associated with your Microsoft account.

2. Read the account closure information, and cull the account recovery window. This is the corporeality of time you take to log dorsum in and stop your account from being deleted if you modify your heed. Yous tin can choose between either xxx or 60 days. Then click "Adjacent."

How to delete a Microsoft account - a screenshot of Microsoft's account deletion page, showing account deletion information and the option to choose when the account will be deleted — (Image credit: Future)

3. Read the information and tick the boxes to ostend your understanding. And then select a reason you would like to shut your account from the driblet-downward menu.

How to delete Microsoft account - a screenshot of the Microsoft account deletion page, asking the user to choose a reason why they would like to delete their account — (Paradigm credit: Time to come)

4. Click "Mark business relationship for closure."

5. Your account will now be deactivated. If you change your mind, you'll have either 30 or 60 days to log back in to cease your account being deleted, depending on which option you chose earlier in step 2.

After this, your account volition be deleted for proficient. Check the engagement that Microsoft lists to see when your account volition exist deleted.

How to delete a Microsoft account - a screenshot of the Microsoft account deletion page, showing when the account will be deleted — (Image credit: Future)

Are you planning a big clean-upwards of one-time online accounts you no longer use? Nosotros have more than tutorials that will help y'all.

We'll show y'all how to delete a Pinterest business relationship, how to delete a Twitter account, and how to delete an Instagram account. We tin can also evidence you how to delete your Gmail account, and how to delete your Google search history.

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Millie is a Deals writer at Tom's Guide covering the latest tech news and specializing in deals content and how-to articles most everything from phones, streaming devices and headphones to games and software. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gaming on her Nintendo Switch and creating digital art.