How do I delete my Microsoft email accounts?

harry smeekly 0 Reputation points
2026-11-05T16:31:43.79+00:00

How do I delete my Microsoft email accounts?

Outlook on the web

Outlook | Web | Outlook.com | Account management, security, and privacy
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  1. Stefan Blom 357.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-11-07T13:14:06.28+00:00

    If you stop using an account, it will be permanently closed after two years. That may be the simplest action (or non-action) to take.

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  2. Vikki-T 13,480 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-11-06T04:49:02.48+00:00

    Hi harry smeekly,

    There are a few different ways to remove a Microsoft email account, depending on what you want to achieve.

    If you want to permanently close the entire Microsoft account, sign in and follow Microsoft’s official account-closure process: How to close your Microsoft account. Please review the information carefully first, since closing the account also affects other services and data linked to it, not only the email mailbox.

    If you only want to remove an additional email address or alias, manage the addresses connected to your account here: Change the email address for your Microsoft account.

    If you only want the account removed from the Outlook app without deleting the mailbox, use Outlook’s account settings and select Remove account.

    Let me know which of these you are trying to do and which Outlook version or device you are using, so we can provide the exact steps. Thank you so much for your understanding.     

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  3. AI answer

    2026-11-05T16:32:20.6366667+00:00

    To permanently delete an Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, or MSN email account, sign in to that Microsoft account and mark the entire Microsoft account for closure.

    Permanently delete the account

    1. Open Microsoft’s account-closure instructions and select Continue to start the guided process.
    2. Sign in to the exact account you want to delete.
    3. Verify that the closure page shows the correct email address.
    4. Select Next.
    5. Read and check each acknowledgement.
    6. Choose a 30-day or 60-day reopening window.
    7. Select a reason, then choose Mark account for closure.
    8. Repeat separately for each account you want deleted. ^1^

    Important: Deleting an Outlook.com mailbox closes its entire Microsoft account—not just email. After the reopening period expires, email and contacts cannot be recovered, and access to services and data associated with that account—including OneDrive, Xbox, Skype, and saved BitLocker recovery keys—is lost. Download anything needed before proceeding. ^2^

    If you only want to delete one email address

    The address might be an alias attached to a Microsoft account rather than a separate account. Aliases share the same password, contacts, storage, subscriptions, and settings.

    1. Open Microsoft account → Your info → Edit account info.
    2. Sign in.
    3. If necessary, add another email address and make it the primary address.
    4. Select Remove beside the unwanted alias. ^3^

    Warning: Removing a Microsoft-domain alias such as @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, or @live.com permanently deletes that address; it cannot be reclaimed. ^4^

    If you only want it removed from the Outlook app

    This does not delete the mailbox:

    • New Outlook for Windows: Settings → Accounts → Your accounts → Manage → Remove
    • Classic Outlook: File → Account Settings → Account Settings → Email → select account → Remove
    • Outlook mobile: Profile icon → Settings → select account → Delete/Remove Account ^5^

    If sign-in fails, use the Sign-in helper linked from the closure instructions. Microsoft requires access to the account before it can be closed. ^1^

    References

    1. How to close your Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
    2. Close your Outlook.com account | Microsoft Support
    3. Change the email address for your Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
    4. Can I change the email address that is connected to my Clipchamp account? | Microsoft Support
    5. How do I remove an old Outlook account - Microsoft Q&A
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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