What happens when you delete a Microsoft account

Deleting a Microsoft account removes it from Microsoft's servers permanently. You lose access to Outlook email, OneDrive files, Microsoft 365 subscriptions, Xbox Live, and any other services tied to that account. Microsoft keeps a record that the account existed, but the account itself and its associated data cannot be recovered after 60 days.

Before you delete, understand what you're losing. If you use Outlook for email, you won't be able to access those messages again. Files stored in OneDrive will be deleted. Any games, apps, or subscriptions purchased through Microsoft will no longer be available. If other people have shared files with you through OneDrive or Teams, those connections end.

You have 60 days after deletion to change your mind and recover the account. After that window closes, Microsoft permanently removes all data. If you only want to stop using Microsoft services but might need the account later, consider signing out instead of deleting.

Key Takeaways

  • You must back up your Outlook email, OneDrive files, and any other data before starting the deletion process, because they cannot be recovered after 60 days.
  • The deletion process happens on the Microsoft account security page, not in Windows Settings or Outlook — going to the wrong place will not delete your account.
  • You have 60 days to change your mind and recover the account by signing in again, but after that the deletion becomes permanent.
  • If you use your Microsoft account to sign into Windows, you will need a local account or a different Microsoft account to access your computer after deletion.
  • Subscriptions like Microsoft 365 and Xbox Game Pass will stop working when ready, even if you paid for months ahead.

Back up your data before you start

The first step is to save anything you need to keep. Open Outlook.com and read your email. Click the settings gear in the top right, select "View all Outlook settings," go to "Mail," then "Forwarding," and you can forward all future mail to another account — but this does not save old messages. Instead, go to "Sync email to other accounts" and follow the steps to export your mailbox, or use a third-party tool like Thunderbird to read messages before deletion.

For OneDrive files, sign in to OneDrive.com and read everything you want to keep. Select all files, click "read," and your browser will create a .zip file. For large amounts of data, read in batches. If you have shared folders, make sure you have copies of those files elsewhere — shared access ends when the account is deleted.

Check for any Microsoft 365 documents, photos in OneDrive, Authenticator app backups, and payment methods saved to your account. If you use Microsoft Authenticator to sign into other services, you will lose access to those backup codes when the account is deleted. Write down or export any two-factor authentication codes you need.

Go to the Microsoft account security page

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the account you want to delete. Click "Security" in the left menu, then scroll down to find "Advanced security options." Under that section, you will see "Delete account." Click that link.

You will be taken to a page that says "Delete your Microsoft account." Read the warning about what will be deleted — Outlook email, OneDrive, Xbox, Microsoft 365, and any other services. The page lists what you're about to lose. If you're certain, click "Next."

Microsoft will ask you to confirm your identity. You may need to enter a code sent to your phone or recovery email, or answer security questions you set up when you created the account. Complete this step to prove you own the account.

Confirm the deletion and understand the 60-day window

After you verify your identity, Microsoft shows you a final confirmation page. It explains that your account will be deleted, but you have 60 days to sign back in and cancel the deletion. Click "Delete account" to start the process. The deletion is not when ready — it takes a few minutes for Microsoft to process.

During the 60-day recovery window, you can still sign into your account at account.microsoft.com using your email and password. If you sign in, the deletion is cancelled and your account returns to normal. After 60 days pass, the account and all its data are permanently removed and cannot be recovered under any circumstances.

If you use your Microsoft account to sign into Windows, you will be locked out of your computer once the account is fully deleted. Before the 60 days end, create a local Windows account or switch to a different Microsoft account as your sign-in method. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info, click "Sign in with a local account instead," and follow the steps.

What to do if you use your Microsoft account for Windows

If you sign into Windows with the account you're deleting, you need a backup way to access your computer. You have two options: create a local account or switch to a different Microsoft account.

To create a local account, open Settings, go to Accounts > Your info, and click "Sign in with a local account instead." You will create a username and password that only work on that computer — they are not tied to Microsoft. Once the local account is set up and you have signed in with it, you can delete your Microsoft account without losing access to Windows.

Alternatively, if you have another Microsoft account, sign into Windows with that one instead. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info, click "Sign in with a Microsoft account," and enter the email and password of the account you want to use. Once you have switched, the account you want to delete will no longer be your Windows sign-in.

Cancel the deletion if you change your mind

If you delete your account and then realize you made a mistake, you have 60 days to undo it. Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the email and password of the deleted account. If the account is still in the recovery window, you will see an option to cancel the deletion. Click it, and your account will be restored with all data intact.

After you sign in, your Outlook email, OneDrive files, Xbox profile, and Microsoft 365 subscription will all return. Any services that were paused during the deletion will resume. If you have already created a local Windows account or switched to a different Microsoft account, you can switch back to the recovered account in Settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Microsoft account if I have an active Microsoft 365 subscription?

Yes, but the subscription will stop working when ready. If you paid for a year of Microsoft 365, that money is not refunded when you delete the account. If you want to keep using Office, cancel the subscription first through account.microsoft.com > Services & subscriptions, then delete the account.

What happens to my Xbox account if I delete my Microsoft account?

Your Xbox profile is tied to your Microsoft account. Deleting the account removes your Xbox profile, your games, your achievements, and your Game Pass subscription. You cannot recover the Xbox profile separately — it only comes back if you cancel the account deletion within 60 days.

Will deleting my Microsoft account delete my Windows files?

No. Your personal files in Documents, Pictures, and Desktop stay on your computer. However, you will lose access to OneDrive, and if you have not switched to a local account or a different Microsoft account, you will not be able to sign into Windows at all.

Can someone else use my email address after I delete the account?

Not when ready. Microsoft holds the email address for a period of time after deletion. Eventually, the address may become available for someone else to create a new account with, but this does not happen right away. If you want to prevent this, you can recover the account within 60 days and change the email address to something else before deleting again.

Do I need to uninstall Microsoft software from my computer before deleting the account?

No. Programs like Word, Excel, and Outlook will remain on your computer, but they will not work without a valid Microsoft 365 subscription or a Microsoft account. If you want to keep using them, you will need to sign in with a different Microsoft account or purchase a standalone license.