How to delete a Microsoft account

how to delete a Microsoft account
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

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

Your Microsoft account gives you access to many different services, including Outlook, Skype, Office, and Xbox Live. But let’s face it: most or all of these have alternatives available, and in some cases those are even better than what Microsoft has to offer. Plus, if you have concerns about privacy, then deleting your Microsoft account is the best way to go about protecting your personal data.

Before you go ahead though, make sure that you are ready to close your Microsoft account — keep 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, you will also lose your Gamertag, the games you’ve bought, and your progress and achievements. You’ll also lose access to the money in your Windows Store wallet.

Additionally, make sure you’ve canceled any subscriptions that are associated with your Microsoft account before you delete it, as it can be difficult to cancel subscriptions when you can no longer access the account they are connected to. 

For a full list of services and subscriptions you should check before closing your account, check out the Microsoft support page on this subject. 

How to delete a Microsoft account 

1. Head 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 another email address associated with your Microsoft account. 

How to delete a Microsoft account - a screenshot of the Microsoft account log-in screen

(Image credit: Future)

2. Read the account closure information, and choose the account recovery window. This is the amount of time you have to log back in and stop your account from being deleted if you change your mind. You can choose between either 30 or 60 days. Then click “Next."

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 confirm your understanding. Then select a reason you would like to close your account from the drop-down 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

(Image credit: Future)

4. Click “Mark account 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 stop your account being deleted, depending on which option you chose earlier in step 2. 

After this, your account will be deleted for good. Check the date that Microsoft lists to see when your account will be 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-up of old online accounts you no longer use? We have more tutorials that will help you. 

We’ll show you how to delete a Pinterest account, how to delete a Twitter account, and how to delete an Instagram account. We can also show you how to delete your Gmail account, and how to delete your Google search history

TOPICS
Millie Davis-Williams

Millie is a Deals Editor at Tom's Guide specializing in deals content. She also covers the latest tech news and and creates how-to articles about everything from phones, streaming devices, and headphones to apps and video games. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gaming on her Nintendo Switch and creating digital art.

Read more
A Windows 11 laptop, demonstrating how to run Android apps on Windows 11
How to remove the Windows 11 news and weather widget
A composite image showing Skype and Microsoft Teams side by side
I used Skype for years, and Teams is a poor replacement for the video calling service that started it all
Skype on phone and laptop
Skype is shutting down in just over two months — what you need to know
Microsoft logo displayed on smartphone
VPN feature axed from Microsoft Defender
A phone with Google Search open on screen
Google just made it easier to remove your personal info from search results — here's how to do it
A laptop on a windowsill in the middle of a Windows update
Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 soon — 5 ways to make sure your PC is secure
Latest in Computing
A magnifying glass on top of the Steam logo in a web browser
Valve just pulled a malicious game demo spreading info-stealing malware from Steam
Troubadour Apex 3.0 Backpack
I tested this laptop backpack for 6 months — and it’s one of the best purchases I’ve ever made
MacBook Air M4 vs MacBook Pro M4
MacBook Air M4 vs MacBook Pro M4 — I'll help you pick the best MacBook for your needs
A man filing his taxes electronically on a laptop
AI-powered tax scams are here - how to stay safe from deepfakes, phishing and more this tax season
Razer Blade
Nvidia's DLSS 4 demo in a Razer Blade 16 with RTX 5090 gives me hope again for next-gen gaming laptops
A white Lemokey P1 HE magnetic keyboard
I’m a mechanical switch die-hard — then I tested this magnetic keyboard, now I’m a believer
Latest in How To
An image of an iPhone screen showing the Safari app icon in the center
I got tired of Safari revealing my web searches in iOS 18.4 — this setting fixes that
AirPods Pro 2 in hand
Your earbuds are disgusting — here's the right way to clean them
ChatGPT logo on a smartphone screen being held outside
7 biggest ChatGPT mistakes — and how to fix them
a photo of a woman looking at her fitness tracker
Forget the treadmill — I boosted my metabolism and walked 2,000 steps with this 15-minute workout
a photo of a woman out for a walk
Forget running — I did this one thing to boost the calorie burn on my daily walks
Gemini logo on smartphone
Google's Gemini Deep Research is now free — I've got 7 quick tips to start using it now