Key Vault HSM service cancellation is still generated

Question

Key Vault HSM service cancellation is still generated

songjiawen 0

At that time, I wanted to use the “key vault”. I inadvertently chose the key vault HSM service and deleted it immediately, but we didn't know that it had a soft deletion, and we didn't use this service. The first time I used it, I really didn't understand it, so I applied for a refund of this fee. Please help with the processing. Thank you very much!

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Answer 1

Alex Burlachenko 25,530 MVP Volunteer Moderator

songjiawen hi & thx for join me at Q&A platform,

this is actually a pretty common issue with Azure Key Vault Managed HSM. Unlike a regular Key Vault, deleting a Managed HSM doesn't stop billing right away. It goes into a soft-deleted state, and Microsoft keeps charging the full hourly rate until it's permanently purged, even if u never used it. I'd first look whether the deleted HSM has purge protection enabled. If it's disabled, u should be able to purge the HSM manually and stop further charges. If purge protection is enabled, tho, there's no way to bypass the retention period, even through Microsoft support.

For the refund, u'll need to open a Cost Management + Billing support request. Billing support is free, so u don't need a paid support plan. Explain that the Managed HSM was created by mistake, deleted almost immediately, and never used. Include the resource ID, creation/deletion dates, and charges.

Microsoft Billing can review ur case and potentially issue a one-time credit or refund, but approval isn't guaranteed. I'd contact them ASAP, bc the charges may still be accumulating while the HSM remains soft-deleted.

rgds,

Alex

songjiawen 0 Reputation points

2026-10-10T02:21:54.77+00:00
Hi Alex,

Thanks a lot for the detailed explanation — it really helped me understand what happened.

I checked again and the soft-deleted Managed HSM is now gone from my account. The billing shows it existed for 7 days, so it looks like it was purged (I don't think purge protection was enabled), and no further charges are accumulating now.

I just want to confirm a few things so I understand it correctly for the future:

Since Managed HSM has soft-delete always enabled and it can't be turned off, does that mean any Managed HSM I delete will always go into a soft-deleted state and keep billing at the hourly rate until it's purged — even if I never used it?

If purge protection is disabled, can I purge it immediately right after deleting, so billing stops the same day? Or is there still a minimum retention period that keeps charging?

In my case it was billed for 7 days before disappearing — does that mean it was auto-purged, or do I still need to do something to make sure it's fully gone?

I've already opened a Cost Management + Billing support request for a refund, explaining it was created by mistake, deleted almost immediately, and never used. Is there anything else you'd recommend I include to improve the chances of getting the charge refunded?

Thanks again for your help!