Close or Delete Outlook Account: Step-by-Step

Closing or deleting your Outlook account permanently removes your email, contacts, calendar, and access to Microsoft services tied to that account. This guide walks you through the two paths — closing a Microsoft account (which includes Outlook) or deleting just the Outlook data if you use it with a work or school account. Before starting, make sure you have a backup of anything you want to keep, and know your account password.

What You’ll Need

• Access to the email address or phone number associated with the account
• The account password
• A backup of any emails, contacts, or files you want to save (export to PST or download locally)
• An alternate email address or phone number for verification (if you don’t have access to the original)

Step-by-Step

1. Back up your data. Before closing anything, export your Outlook emails, contacts, and calendar. In Outlook.com, go to Settings (gear icon) > View all Outlook settings > Mail > General > Privacy and data > Export mailbox. Download the .pst file. For contacts, go to People > Manage > Export contacts. Save any OneDrive files or other Microsoft data you need.
2. Decide which account type you have. If you signed up for Outlook.com with a personal email (like @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @msn.com), you have a Microsoft account. If you use Outlook with a work or school email, you have an organizational account. The steps differ.
3. For a personal Microsoft account (Outlook.com): Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the account you want to close.
4. Navigate to the closure page. Once signed in, go to the “Close your account” page. You can find it by searching “Close Microsoft account” in the help section, or directly visit account.microsoft.com/close-account.
5. Review the warning list. Microsoft will show you everything that will be deleted: emails, contacts, Skype credit, Xbox profile, OneDrive files, Office subscriptions, and more. Read this carefully. If you have any active subscriptions or outstanding balances, you’ll need to cancel or pay them first.
6. Confirm your identity. Microsoft will ask you to verify it’s really you. This usually involves entering a code sent to your recovery email or phone. Follow the on-screen prompts.
7. Check the box and click “Next”. You’ll see a checkbox to confirm you understand that the account will be closed. Click the “Next” button.
8. Wait for the 60-day grace period. Microsoft does not delete your account immediately. You have 60 days to change your mind. During this time, you can sign in and cancel the closure. After 60 days, the account is permanently deleted.
9. For a work or school account (Outlook part of Microsoft 365): You cannot close a work/school account yourself. You must contact your IT administrator. They can delete your mailbox or remove your license. If you’re an administrator, go to the Microsoft 365 admin center > Users > Active users, select the user, and choose “Delete user” to remove the mailbox.
10. If you only want to remove Outlook from your device: On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find Microsoft 365 or Outlook, and uninstall. On Mac, drag Outlook to the Trash. This does not delete your online account.

Common Mistakes

• Not backing up before closing. Once the account is permanently deleted, there is no way to recover emails, contacts, or files. Always export first.
• Confusing “close” with “sign out”. Signing out just ends your session; closing deletes everything.
• Forgetting about subscriptions. If you have Microsoft 365, Xbox Game Pass, or other paid services linked to the account, closing it cancels them, and you might lose unused time. Cancel or transfer subscriptions first.
• Closing the wrong account. If you have multiple Microsoft accounts, double-check you’re signed into the one you want to delete.
• Expecting immediate deletion. The 60-day grace period is standard; you cannot skip it.

Tips

• Use the grace period to your advantage. Mark the date 60 days out. If you’re unsure, you can always cancel the closure during that time.
• Change your recovery info before closing. If you plan to close an account but might need it later, consider changing the recovery email to one you’ll still have access to.
• Download a copy of your mailbox. The export can take up to a few days; Microsoft will email you when it’s ready.
• Update your saved passwords. If you use your Outlook email to sign in to other websites, change those accounts to a different email before closing.
• Check your OneDrive and Office files. They are part of the same Microsoft account and will be deleted too.

Troubleshooting

• You don’t receive the verification code. Check your spam folder. If you no longer have access to the recovery email or phone, use the account recovery form at account.live.com/acsr. You’ll need to provide as much info as possible (previous passwords, subject lines of sent emails, etc.).
• The “Close account” page won’t load. Try a different browser, clear your cache, or use an incognito window. If it still fails, try signing out and back in.
• You see a message about an active subscription. You must cancel any paid subscription before closing. Go to account.microsoft.com/services to cancel. If you have a prepaid balance, use it up or contact support for a refund.
• You accidentally closed the wrong account. Sign in to that account within 60 days and you’ll see an option to “Cancel account close”. Follow the prompts.
• Your work/school account can’t be closed. Contact your IT department. If you’re the admin, check the Microsoft 365 admin center for the correct deletion steps.
• You can’t sign in at all. Use the Microsoft account recovery page to regain access first. You’ll need to prove ownership with alternate email, phone, or security info.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing my Outlook account delete my Windows license?

No. Your Windows license is tied to the device, not the account. However, if you use OneDrive, Office, or other Microsoft services, those will be affected.

Can I delete my Outlook account and keep my Xbox gamertag?

No. The gamertag is linked to the Microsoft account. Closing the account deletes the gamertag and any associated achievements or purchases.

How long does it take to permanently delete the account?

After the 60-day grace period, the account is permanently deleted. The actual deletion process may take a few more days, but you won’t be able to access it.

Can I reuse the same email address after closing?

No. Once an Outlook.com email address is closed, it cannot be reused. The address is permanently unavailable.

What happens to my emails during the 60-day grace period?

You can still sign in and access your emails during the grace period. If you cancel the closure, everything stays as it was.

Is there a way to delete just the Outlook mailbox but keep the Microsoft account?

No, not for personal accounts. The Outlook mailbox is part of the Microsoft account. For work/school accounts, an admin can delete the mailbox while keeping the user account.

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