Now, I just reactivated it, and all of my email messages and contacts are sitting right where I left them. Geez, and I thought Facebook’s 2-week policy was bad!Īll you have to do is login if you want your account back, and the whole deletion process is canceled.Ībout that: Before writing this, I let an account sit closed for two weeks. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity and notify you of what we already know it will take 60 days to close the account permanently. So, if the above steps didn’t work for you, which is likely, you’ll need to use the super-hidden deletion link: Click here to go directly to the account closure confirmation page.

Scroll down to the bottom of the account details page and click the Close my account link.Īt this final step, Microsoft will inform you about all the things you must first do before closing your account.Įven after closing all subscriptions on my account, Microsoft still didn’t let me close a few of my test accounts.

Step 2įrom the Microsoft Account page, Click Security.Īt the bottom of the new page, Click More Security Options. Now that you’re logged in go to to manage your account settings. This will redirect you to the new interface. Sign in to your Hotmail, Windows Live, or. I was able to log right in, although all of the data was wiped.) ( This worked for me with an account I haven’t used in over 3 years.

Interestingly, even after 365 days of inactivity, your Windows Live ID and password will persist on the server unless someone attempts to register a new account using your exact Live ID.

Once you close an account, it should stop accepting new email messages.

It takes 60 days to close the email account after putting in the request.

You can also remove any credit cards from your account on this page as well.

Check your Microsoft and Xbox account balances using this link.

Any credits will be lost once you close your account.

Remember to spend any Skype credits before you blow away your account.

Hotmail, Windows Live, and accounts are not considered “Microsoft Accounts.” You can’t close just the Hotmail account without closing the entire Windows Live, aka Microsoft Account.If a live subscription is active, it will block you from permanently closing your account. Visit the Microsoft Billing service before closing or deleting your Microsoft Account (Hotmail, Windows Live, and accounts).Important information about deleting your Hotmail, Outlook, and Windows Live Microsoft accounts