Canceling Skype means removing your account from Microsoft's servers

When you cancel Skype, Microsoft deletes your account permanently. You lose access to your contact list, chat history, and any Skype Credit you have left. The process takes a few minutes and happens when ready — you cannot undo it after confirmation, so make sure you have saved anything you need first.

Skype is owned by Microsoft, so your Skype account is tied to a Microsoft account. Canceling Skype does not automatically cancel your Microsoft account; it only removes Skype from it. If you use that Microsoft account for Outlook, OneDrive, or other Microsoft services, those stay active unless you cancel the entire Microsoft account separately.

The cancellation process differs slightly depending on whether you use Skype on desktop, mobile, or the web version. The simplest route is through the web, where you can see all your account details in one place and confirm the cancellation without confusion.

Key Takeaways

  • Canceling Skype permanently deletes your account, contact list, and chat history — save anything you need before you start.
  • Your Skype Credit (prepaid money) is forfeited when you cancel and cannot be refunded.
  • Canceling Skype does not cancel your Microsoft account; you must do that separately if you want to remove your entire Microsoft presence.
  • The web version at account.microsoft.com is the most straightforward way to cancel because you can see your full account status before confirming.

Save your contact list and chat history before you cancel

Once your account is deleted, you cannot recover your Skype contacts or messages. If you want to keep a record of important conversations or contact information, export or screenshot them now.

On the desktop app, right-click any conversation and select "Export chat" if that option appears (availability depends on your Skype version). On mobile, take screenshots of conversations you want to keep. For your contact list, you can screenshot your contacts page or write down the usernames and phone numbers of people you want to stay in touch with.

If you have Skype Credit remaining in your account, understand that this money will be lost when you cancel. Skype does not refund unused Credit, so if you have a balance, consider using it before you proceed. Check your balance by opening Skype and looking for your account profile — the Credit amount appears there.

Cancel through the Microsoft account website

Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the email address and password you use for Skype. Once you are logged in, look for "Your info" or "Account settings" in the left menu. Click on it.

Scroll down until you see a section called "Close your account" or "Delete account" — the exact wording varies by region. Click that option. Microsoft will show you a warning that explains what happens: your Skype account, OneDrive files, Outlook emails, and any other Microsoft services tied to this account will be deleted. Read this carefully to make sure you understand what you are about to lose.

Microsoft requires you to confirm your identity before deletion. You may need to enter a code sent to your email address or phone number, or answer security questions you set up when you created the account. Complete this verification step.

After verification, Microsoft asks you to confirm one more time that you want to delete the account. Click the final confirmation button. Your account is now deleted, and you no longer have access to Skype.

Cancel through the Skype desktop app

Open Skype and sign in if you are not already. Click your profile picture or name in the top left corner. Select "Settings" from the menu that appears.

In Settings, look for "Account" or "Privacy" — the exact location depends on your Skype version. Scroll down until you find an option that says "Close account", "Delete account", or "Remove account". Click it.

Skype will redirect you to the Microsoft account website to complete the deletion, because Skype itself does not have the authority to delete your Microsoft account. Follow the same verification and confirmation steps described in the previous section. The desktop app cannot finish the cancellation on its own; you must complete it through the web.

What happens to your Skype number and linked phone numbers

If you have a Skype Number (a phone number people can call to reach you on Skype), that number is released back into the pool when you cancel. You cannot recover it later, and someone else may be assigned that number in the future.

Any phone numbers you linked to your Skype account for verification or recovery are disconnected from Skype but remain your personal phone numbers. Canceling Skype does not affect your actual phone service.

If you use Skype for business calls through a work account, contact your IT department or account administrator before you cancel. Work Skype accounts are often managed by your employer, and canceling on your own may cause problems with your job or access to company systems.

Canceling versus deactivating: which one do you need

Canceling permanently deletes your account. Deactivating (if available in your region) temporarily hides your account but keeps it on Microsoft's servers. If you think you might want to use Skype again someday, deactivation is safer because you can reactivate later.

To deactivate instead of cancel, go to account.microsoft.com, find the account settings, and look for "Deactivate account" rather than "Close account". A deactivated account is invisible to other Skype users and cannot send or receive messages, but the data is preserved.

Deactivation lasts for 60 days before Microsoft automatically reactivates your account. If you want it to stay deactivated longer, you must deactivate it again before the 60 days end. If you are certain you will never use Skype again, full cancellation is cleaner than repeated deactivations.

If you cannot find the cancel option in your version

Older versions of Skype or Skype in certain regions may not show a direct cancellation option in the app. If you cannot find "Close account" or "Delete account" after checking Settings, go directly to account.microsoft.com instead. The web version always has the cancellation option, regardless of which Skype app version you use.

If you are still stuck, sign out of Skype completely, then visit account.microsoft.com in a web browser and sign in fresh. Sometimes the app does not display all account options, but the website shows everything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel Skype without canceling my Microsoft account?

No. Skype is part of your Microsoft account, not a separate service. When you cancel Skype through the account deletion process, you are canceling your entire Microsoft account, which also removes Outlook, OneDrive, and any other Microsoft services. If you want to keep those services, do not cancel your account — instead, straightforward stop using Skype and delete the app from your devices.

Will my contacts know I canceled?

Your contacts will see that your account no longer exists when they try to message you or look you up. Skype does not send a notification that you canceled. If you want to tell people you are leaving, message them before you cancel.

Can I get my Skype Credit back after I cancel?

No. Skype Credit is non-refundable and is lost when you cancel your account. If you have a balance, use it before you cancel, or accept that it will be forfeited.

What if I forgot my password?

Go to account.microsoft.com and click "Can't access your account". Microsoft will walk you through recovery using your email address or phone number. Once you regain access, you can proceed with cancellation.

How long does it take for my account to be fully deleted?

Your account is deleted when ready after you confirm cancellation. You lose access right away. Microsoft may take up to 30 days to remove all your data from its backup servers, but you cannot access or recover anything once you confirm the deletion.