Closing Skype means deleting your Microsoft account or removing Skype from it

Skype is owned by Microsoft, so closing Skype is not a separate process — you either delete your entire Microsoft account (which removes Skype along with Outlook email, OneDrive, and any other Microsoft services tied to it) or you remove just Skype from an account you want to keep. Most people who want to close Skype actually want to remove the app and stop using it, which takes two minutes. Fully deleting the account takes longer and is permanent after 60 days.

The path you take depends on whether you use Microsoft for anything else. If Skype is your only Microsoft service, deleting the account is simpler. If you use Outlook email or OneDrive, you will want to remove Skype separately and keep the account itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Removing Skype from your device takes two minutes and stops the app from running, but your account still exists online.
  • Deleting your entire Microsoft account removes Skype permanently along with Outlook, OneDrive, and any other Microsoft services, and cannot be undone after 60 days.
  • If you use Outlook email or OneDrive, remove Skype separately through your Microsoft account settings rather than deleting the whole account.
  • After you request account deletion, Microsoft gives you 60 days to change your mind before the deletion becomes permanent.
  • Skype chat history and call records are deleted when you close the account, so save any conversations you need before starting the process.

How to remove Skype from your device without deleting the account

If you straightforward want to stop using Skype but keep your Microsoft account for email or other services, uninstall the app from your device. On Windows, go to Settings, select Apps, find Skype in the list, click it, and select Uninstall. On Mac, open Applications, drag Skype to the Trash, and empty the Trash. On iPhone or Android, press and hold the Skype icon on your home screen, select Remove App, and confirm.

This removes Skype from your device but does not delete your account. You can reinstall it later if you change your mind, and your contacts and chat history will still be there. Your account remains active online, so you may still receive Skype calls or messages if someone tries to reach you — they will just see you as offline.

If you want to prevent people from contacting you through Skype without fully deleting your account, sign in to Skype on the web, go to Settings, select Privacy, and change who can contact you to Nobody.

How to delete your entire Microsoft account

Go to the Microsoft account security page at account.microsoft.com and sign in. Select Security in the left menu, then scroll down to find "Delete account" or "Advanced security options" depending on your region. Click the delete option and follow the prompts. Microsoft will ask you to confirm your password and may send a verification code to your email or phone.

After you confirm, Microsoft will show you a 60-day countdown. During these 60 days, your account is scheduled for deletion but you can still sign in and cancel the deletion if you change your mind. After 60 days pass, the deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed. Your email address becomes unavailable, all files in OneDrive are deleted, and your Skype account is gone.

Before you start the deletion process, read any files you need from OneDrive and save any Skype conversations you want to keep. Microsoft does not provide a way to export chat history, so take screenshots or copy text to a document if there are messages you need later.

How to remove Skype from your Microsoft account while keeping the account

If you use Outlook email or OneDrive and only want to remove Skype, sign in to your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com. Go to Your Info or Account Settings, then select Apps and Services or Connected Devices. Look for Skype in the list and select Remove or Disconnect. Confirm the action when prompted.

This removes Skype from your account but leaves your email and other Microsoft services intact. Your Skype username will no longer be active, and you will not be able to sign into Skype with that account. However, the Microsoft account itself continues to work for Outlook, OneDrive, and other services.

What happens to your data when you close Skype

When you delete your Microsoft account or remove Skype from it, your chat history, call logs, and contact list are deleted. Skype does not store your messages on their servers after you delete the account — they are removed along with your profile. If someone you were messaging with saved your conversations on their device, they will still have those copies, but you will not.

Your phone number and email address are removed from Skype's directory, so people searching for you by those details will not find you. If you had a Skype credit balance (money you paid for calling credits), that balance is forfeited and cannot be refunded.

What to do if you cannot access your account

If you forgot your password or cannot sign in, go to account.microsoft.com and select "Can't access your account." Microsoft will walk you through recovery steps using your phone number or backup email. You will need to answer security questions or verify your identity before you can regain access.

If you no longer have access to the email or phone number linked to your account, contact Microsoft Support through their website. They can verify your identity through other means, though the process may take several days. Once you regain access, you can proceed with removing Skype or deleting the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else use my Skype username after I delete my account?

No. Once you delete your Microsoft account, that Skype username is permanently retired and cannot be claimed by anyone else, even after the 60-day deletion period ends. The username is removed from circulation entirely.

Will deleting my Microsoft account affect my Xbox or Windows login?

Yes. If you use your Microsoft account to sign into Xbox, Windows, or other Microsoft services, deleting the account will remove access to all of them. You will need to create a new Microsoft account or use a local account to sign into Windows instead.

Can I recover my Skype account after the 60-day deletion period?

No. After 60 days, the deletion is permanent and irreversible. Your account, chat history, and all associated data are permanently removed from Microsoft's servers. During the 60-day window, you can cancel the deletion by signing in and selecting the option to keep your account.

What if I want to keep my Skype account but just stop using the app?

Uninstall the app from your device and change your privacy settings to prevent people from contacting you. Your account will remain active but inactive, and you can reactivate it anytime by reinstalling the app and signing in.

Do I need to cancel a Skype subscription before deleting my account?

Skype does not have a traditional subscription, but if you have an active Skype credit balance or a calling plan, deleting your account will forfeit that balance. You cannot get a refund for unused credit, so use it or accept the loss before you delete.