How to Delete Your Microsoft Account: A Step-by-Step Guide
Thinking about closing your Microsoft account? Unlike some services, Microsoft doesn’t delete your account right away. For security reasons, you set a mandatory waiting period of 30 or 60 days, and the account is only removed once that time passes. This gives you a built-in chance to change your mind.
This guide shows you how to delete a Microsoft account, what data and services you lose, why there’s a waiting period, and how to cancel the closure if you reconsider. It also covers the cases where you can’t delete the account yourself — like a work or school account.
Before you start, know that closing your account affects everything tied to it. Take a few minutes to back up important data and cancel subscriptions first.
What You Lose When You Close a Microsoft Account
One Microsoft account signs you in to many services, so closing it removes a lot at once. Here’s what goes.
| Service | What happens when you close the account |
|---|---|
| Outlook / Hotmail | Your email, contacts, and calendar are deleted |
| OneDrive | Stored files and photos are removed |
| Xbox Live | Your gamertag, saves, and Game Pass access are lost |
| Skype / Teams Free | Your profile and contacts are removed |
| Windows sign-in | You can no longer sign in to your PC with this account |
| Microsoft 365 | Consumer subscriptions tied to the account are lost |
Microsoft advises opting out of subscriptions from each service before you delete, since they’re hard to cancel afterward. Backing up first matters too — once the account closes, this data is gone. If you’re closing the account for privacy, keeping your connection private is a natural next step; here’s what a VPN is and how to use one.
How to Delete (Close) Your Microsoft Account
When you’re ready, follow these steps to mark your account for closure.
- Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the account you want to remove.
- Open your account settings and choose the option to close your account.
- Microsoft runs a readiness checklist. Read it and make sure you’ve saved data and cancelled subscriptions.
- Tick each item to confirm you understand what closing removes.
- Select a reason for closing, then choose your waiting period — 30 or 60 days.
- Select Mark account for closure to finish.
Your account is now scheduled to close. It stays inactive during the waiting period and is deleted automatically when the period ends.
Why the 30- or 60-Day Waiting Period?
Microsoft doesn’t delete accounts instantly for security reasons. The waiting period protects you if someone else tries to close your account, or if you change your mind. During this time the account is only marked for closure and still exists.
If you’ve recently reset all of your sign-in security info, Microsoft’s rules require the longer 60-day wait before the account can close. Otherwise you can usually choose 30 days.
Can You Cancel the Closure?
Yes. During the waiting period, your account is only marked for closure — it hasn’t been deleted yet. Simply sign back in during those 30 or 60 days and the account reopens automatically, cancelling the closure. Understanding what VPN encryption is can also help you keep that sign-in private if you’re doing it on a shared or public network.
A Note on Work and School Accounts
Not every Microsoft account can be closed this way. A work or school account is managed by your organization through Entra ID, so you usually can’t delete it yourself. To remove one, contact your organization’s admin and ask them to handle it. This is different from a personal Microsoft account, which you control directly.
Close Your Account More Privately with Planet VPN
Closing your Microsoft account clears a lot of personal data, but your connection still reveals your location and activity to the sites you use next. Planet VPN is an honest free VPN — core features are free forever, and you pay only with your time by watching a short ad, not with your data.
Planet VPN uses reliable encryption to keep your connection private on public Wi-Fi and everyday networks. It’s easy to use: connect in a couple of clicks, with no technical setup.
- Get started on the Planet VPN homepage.
- Compare the free and premium options on the plans page.
- On a PC? Add Planet VPN for Windows.
Want the basics? See how a VPN protects you before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete it instantly?
No. Microsoft doesn’t delete the account immediately for security reasons. You set a mandatory waiting period of 30 or 60 days, and the account is removed only after that time passes.
Can I cancel the deletion if I change my mind?
Yes. During the waiting period the account is only marked for closure and still exists. Signing back in reopens it and cancels the closure.
What services and data do I lose?
Your Outlook email and contacts are deleted, and you lose OneDrive, Skype, Teams Free, Xbox Live, Windows sign-in, and any consumer Microsoft 365 subscriptions tied to the account.
Should I cancel subscriptions first?
Yes. Microsoft advises opting out of subscriptions from each service before deleting, since they’re hard to cancel once the account is gone.
Can I reuse the email address later?
Sources disagree on this. Some say the email can be reused after deletion is final, while others say the address is retired and can’t be reused. Treat reuse as not guaranteed.
Why am I being forced to wait 60 days?
If you’ve recently reset all of your sign-in security info, Microsoft’s rules require a 60-day wait before the account can close. Otherwise you can usually pick the shorter 30-day period.
Can my work or school account be deleted this way?
No. A work or school account is managed by your organization through Entra ID. You usually can’t delete it yourself and must contact your admin to remove it.