how to close an account

Question

I have two accounts and I only need one. how do I close the account?

Answer 1

Hello Todd PHOENIX,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum!

I understand that you want to close one of your accounts. I truly understand how you feel. Let me assist you go through this situation.

I have these suggestions for you:

Before you close the account. Make sure on the account you want to close:

• Cancel Microsoft 365 / Xbox / OneDrive subscriptions
• Download files from OneDrive
• Save emails & contacts from Outlook/Hotmail
• Move any Windows sign‑in to a local account if this account is used to sign in to Windows

It has been confirmed all data will be deleted after closure. So, if your goal is only to stop using it, you do NOT need to close it:

• Just sign out
• Remove it from Windows
• Cancel subscriptions

Steps to close a Microsoft account

1. Open this page (official Microsoft page): https://account.live.com/closeaccount.aspx
2. Sign in with the account you want to close.
3. Verify your identity (code sent to email/phone).
4. Confirm the correct account is shown > click Next.
5. Read the checklist and tick all checkboxes.
6. Choose:
   • 30 days or 60 days reopen window
7. Select a reason > click Mark account for closure. Done.

The account is scheduled for deletion. You can reopen it anytime during the 30/60‑day window by signing in again.

Please note:

• After the reopen period, the account is permanently deleted
• Email address (Outlook / Hotmail / Live) cannot be reused
• All data is removed per Microsoft Services Agreement
• For more information, please check here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/how-to-close-your-microsoft-account-c1b2d13f-4de6-6e1b-4a31-d9d668849979

I hope this will help with your situation. Please feel free to reach back if you have further update or more questions.

Best Regards,

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Answer 2

Closing an account depends on what needs to be closed. For Microsoft 365 and Microsoft personal accounts, use the Microsoft account close process.

To close a Microsoft personal account (which also closes Outlook.com mail and access to Microsoft 365 tied to that account):

1. Go to the Microsoft Account Close Portal and sign in with the account that should be closed: Microsoft Account Close Portal.
2. Read the list of actions to take before closing the account (for example, handling subscriptions, data, and services) and complete those that apply.
3. Select Next.
4. Acknowledge the consequences of closing the account by checking the required boxes.
5. Select Mark account for closure.

According to the documented process, the account is then marked to be closed in 30 days, and it can be reopened at any time during that period by signing in again.

Alternatively, the same close flow can be started from the general “How to close your Microsoft account” entry point:

1. Sign in to start closing the Microsoft personal account: Close account.
2. If prompted, sign in and/or verify the account.
3. Confirm the correct account is shown and select Next.
4. Read the list, check each acknowledgment box.
5. Choose a re-open window of 30 or 60 days.
6. Select a reason for closing from Select a reason.
7. Select Mark account for closure.

If only a Microsoft 365 subscription needs to be stopped but the account kept, cancel the subscription instead of closing the account, using the Subscriptions section of the signed-in account as described in the related guidance.

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References:

• Respond to requests to close a Microsoft account
• How to close your Microsoft account
• Close your Outlook.com account
• I realize I have 2 different accounts. How do I combine the 2? - Microsoft Q&A
• I am paying for two subscriptions - Microsoft Q&A