How to close your Microsoft account in 2026
At a glance
- Platform Microsoft Account
- Company Microsoft Corporation
- Grace period 30 or 60 days (your choice); reopen by signing in. If you reset all sign-in verification details, a mandatory 60-day wait applies before closing
- Official page support.microsoft.com
What you need to know first
No deactivation; you 'mark the account for closure' with a chosen 30- or 60-day reopen window, after which data is permanently deleted.
Step-by-step: delete your data from Microsoft Account
- Step 1: Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in
- Step 2: Navigate to the Close your account page (Security > more options, or go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2272280)
- Step 3: Verify identity if prompted
- Step 4: Read and check each acknowledgment box
- Step 5: Choose a 30- or 60-day reopen window
- Step 6: Select a reason and click Mark account for closure
Opt out of AI training
For Copilot, see remove-data-from-copilot
Separate data request
Microsoft Privacy Dashboard (account.microsoft.com/privacy) to view/delete activity, browsing, search, location data without closing
Key gotchas
- Cancel Microsoft 365/Xbox subscriptions and spend Store/gift balances first
- Closing requires a security proof — you may be forced to add a second email alias
- Outlook email bounces during the window
- Reassign family-sharing ownership first
What this doesn't cover
Closing doesn't undo data already shared with partners or scraped; Xbox gamertag/purchases forfeited.
A closed Microsoft account stops new data flow but leaves earlier broker copies intact.
See what personal data is exposed about you beyond Microsoft Account.
Run a free scan →Frequently asked questions
Does Microsoft Account delete my data immediately?
30 or 60 days (your choice); reopen by signing in. If you reset all sign-in verification details, a mandatory 60-day wait applies before closing
Can I opt out of Microsoft Account using my data for training?
For Copilot, see remove-data-from-copilot
Does deleting my Microsoft Account account remove my data from the internet?
Closing doesn't undo data already shared with partners or scraped; Xbox gamertag/purchases forfeited.
What are common mistakes when deleting Microsoft Account data?
Cancel Microsoft 365/Xbox subscriptions and spend Store/gift balances first. Closing requires a security proof — you may be forced to add a second email alias.
Steps and URLs reflect the platform documentation as of the date above. Platforms may change their settings layout at any time. This guide is informational and not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.