How to close your Microsoft account
Microsoft account
When you close a Microsoft account, whether because you no longer need it or because it's a duplicate account, Microsoft wants to make sure of two things:
First, that it's really you, not someone else trying to close your account.
Second, that you're not leaving anything important behind that you're going to need later.
To protect your account from accidentally being closed, we may ask you to prove your identity and intent. For example, if you forgot your account info and had to reset your security info, you must wait 60 days before closing your account.
If you're sure you want to close your Microsoft account:
Expand the text headings below to learn more about the things you should check first.
Go through the process for how to close your account.
Find out what happens after you close your account.
Before you close your account
Closing a Microsoft account means you won’t be able to use it to sign in to the Microsoft products and services you’ve been using. It also deletes all the services associated with it, including your:
Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, and MSN email accounts
OneDrive files
Xbox Live data and GamerTag
Skype ID and contacts
Office digital perpetual licenses, like Office 2019 Home and Student
NuGet.org account
Account balance, unused Reward points and Microsoft Certification, including passed exams and associated transcripts.
You can't delete just one of these services and keep the others.
So, before you close your account, take some time to tie up loose ends, cancel subscriptions, and make sure you don’t leave anything important behind—like files, money from gift cards, or emails. And don't forget to consider less common services where you use your account. For example, use your remaining Online Commercial Support benefit and for developers, transfer any packages you saved on NuGet.org.
Before deleting your account, you may also want to review these articles: Close your Outlook.com account and Can I use Skype without my Microsoft account?
Select any heading below to learn more about what to do before closing your account:
Use the money in your account
Cancel any subscriptions associated with your account
Let people know how to reach you
Save your files and data
Take a look at your devices
Manage your kids' Microsoft accounts
Use your remaining Online Commercial Support benefit
Transfer ownership of your packages if you use NuGet.org
To close your account
When you're sure you're ready:
Go to Close your account.
When you're prompted to sign in to your account, double-check that it's the account you want to delete. If not, select Sign in with a different Microsoft account. If you're having trouble signing in to the account you want to close, see When you can't sign in to your Microsoft account for help fixing the problem.
Check that the page shows the correct Microsoft account, and then select Next.
Read the list, and select the checkboxes to acknowledge you’ve read each item.
In the Select a reason drop-down list, choose the reason you're closing the account.
Select Mark account for closure