What happens when you delete an Outlook account

Deleting your Outlook account removes it from your computer or phone, but the account itself stays active on Microsoft's servers unless you take a second step. Most people who want their email gone actually want one of two things: to stop seeing it on a device, or to shut down the account entirely so no one can log into it anymore. The process is different for each.

If you delete the account from your device only, you can still log back in from another device or browser. Your emails stay on Microsoft's servers. If you want the account completely gone — no login possible, emails deleted — you need to close the account through Microsoft's website, which is a separate action that takes about 60 days to finish.

Closing an Outlook account is permanent. After 60 days, Microsoft deletes everything: your emails, contacts, calendar, OneDrive files, and any Microsoft services tied to that account. You cannot undo this. If you share a Microsoft account with family members or use it for work, closing it affects them too.

Key Takeaways

  • Removing Outlook from your device and closing the account are two different actions with different results.
  • Closing an Outlook account through Microsoft's website takes 60 days and permanently deletes all emails, files, and account data.
  • Before closing your account, read or forward your emails, save important files from OneDrive, and check what other services use that email address.
  • If you only want to stop seeing Outlook on one device, remove the account from that device without closing it on Microsoft's servers.

Remove Outlook from a single device without closing the account

If you want to stop checking email on your phone or computer but keep the account active, you remove it from that device only. The account stays open and you can still log in elsewhere.

On Windows 10 or 11: Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Email & accounts. Find the Outlook account in the list, click it, then click Remove. Windows asks you to confirm. Click Remove again. The account no longer appears in Outlook or Mail, but the account itself is still active on Microsoft's servers.

On Mac: Open Mail, go to Mail menu, then Preferences. Click Accounts, find the Outlook account, click it, then click the minus sign at the bottom. Confirm the removal. The account is removed from Mail but remains active online.

On iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings, scroll to Mail, then Accounts. Tap the Outlook account, then tap Delete Account. Confirm. The account is removed from your device but stays active.

On Android: Open Gmail or your email app, tap your profile picture, then Manage your Google Account (or the equivalent for your email app). Go to Security or Accounts, find Outlook, and remove it. The account remains active online.

Close your Outlook account permanently through Microsoft

Closing the account through Microsoft's website is the only way to make the account inaccessible. No one can log into it after 60 days, and all data is deleted. Start at account.microsoft.com and sign in with the Outlook email and password you want to close.

Once logged in, look for Security or Account settings. Find the option to close your account — Microsoft sometimes labels this "Close your account" or "Delete account". Click it. Microsoft shows you what will be deleted: emails, OneDrive files, Skype data, Xbox content, or anything else tied to that email. Read the list carefully.

Microsoft asks you to confirm your reason for closing. You do not have to give a real reason — you can select any option. Click Next. Microsoft then asks you to confirm one more time and may offer you a way to read your data before deletion. If you want to keep any emails or files, read them now. After you confirm, the 60-day countdown starts.

During those 60 days, you can still log back in and cancel the closure. After 60 days, the account and all its data are gone permanently. Microsoft does not recover closed accounts.

Save your emails and files before closing the account

Once the account closes, your emails are deleted and cannot be recovered. If you want to keep them, read or forward them before you start the closure process.

To read your emails: Log into Outlook.com or Outlook on the web. Select all emails in a folder (or use the search box to find specific messages). Many email clients let you export to a file format like .pst or .csv. Check your email app's export or backup option. Some people forward important emails to a new account instead, which takes longer but is simpler if you only need a few messages.

To save OneDrive files: Go to onedrive.live.com, sign in, and read the folders or files you need. You can also use the OneDrive app on your computer to sync files before closing the account. If you have a lot of files, this can take hours depending on your internet speed.

To check what else is tied to the account: Before closing, visit account.microsoft.com and look at what services use this email. You may have Xbox, Skype, Microsoft 365, or other subscriptions attached. Closing the account affects all of them. If you use Microsoft 365 for work, contact your workplace before closing — they may need to migrate your data.

What to do if you forgot your Outlook password

If you cannot log into the account, you cannot close it through Microsoft's website. You have to reset the password first. Go to account.live.com/password/reset and enter the email address. Microsoft sends a code to a recovery email or phone number you set up earlier. Enter the code and create a new password.

If you do not have access to the recovery email or phone, Microsoft asks security questions or other verification methods. If you cannot verify your identity, you cannot reset the password and cannot close the account yourself. In that case, contact Microsoft Support through account.microsoft.com/contact and explain that you cannot access the account. They may be able to help, but the process is slower.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. After 60 days, the account and all its data are permanently deleted. Microsoft does not restore closed accounts. If you think you might need the account again, do not start the closure process. Instead, remove it from your devices only.

What happens to emails people send me after I close the account?

Emails sent to a closed account bounce back to the sender with a message that the address no longer exists. The sender sees an error. If you want to receive mail at a new address, tell your contacts before you close the account and give them your new email.

Do I have to close the account to stop using Outlook?

No. You can straightforward remove it from your devices and stop logging in. The account stays open on Microsoft's servers and you can log back in anytime. Closing is only necessary if you want the account completely gone and inaccessible.

If I close my Outlook account, does it affect my Microsoft account?

Outlook is a Microsoft service, so closing your Outlook account closes your entire Microsoft account. This affects everything tied to that email: OneDrive, Skype, Xbox, Microsoft 365, and any other Microsoft services. If you use the account for work or family, closing it affects them too.

Can I change my mind during the 60-day closure period?

Yes. During the 60 days, you can log back into the account and cancel the closure request. After you cancel, the account is fully active again and nothing is deleted. Once the 60 days are up, cancellation is no longer possible.