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How to Delete and Disable Your Microsoft Account Profile

Why You Might Want to Delete Your Microsoft Account

There are a few reasons why you may want to delete your Microsoft account:

  • Privacy – Deleting your account will remove all personal information associated with it from Microsoft’s servers. This ensures your data is no longer stored or accessible.
  • Security – If your account has been compromised or hacked, deleting it is the best way to secure it. This will revoke access to anyone else.
  • Start Fresh – You may simply want to start over with a brand new account. Deleting your current one allows you to create a new one from scratch.

How to Delete Your Microsoft Account

Back Up Your Data First

Before deleting your Microsoft account, make sure to back up anything important first, like:

  • Emails
  • OneDrive files
  • Contacts
  • Game progress/achievements

Once your account is deleted, this data will be gone forever from Microsoft’s servers.

Navigate to Account Closure Page

  1. Go to https://account.live.com/closeaccount.aspx
  2. Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials

Mark Your Account for Closure

  1. Read all provided information about account closure carefully
  2. Check the box to agree to close your account
  3. Select a reason for closure from the drop-down menu
  4. Click Mark account for closure

Your account will now be scheduled for deletion.

What Happens When You Delete a Microsoft Account

After marking your account for closure:

  • You will have 30 days to reverse course and cancel the closure if you change your mind
  • After 30 days, your account will be permanently deleted along with all associated data
  • You will lose access to any Microsoft services linked to that account like OneDrive, Outlook, Skype, etc.

So be absolutely certain before proceeding with deletion!

How to Disable Your Microsoft Account

If you don’t want to fully delete your account but just disable it temporarily:

Use Account Management Website

  1. Go to https://account.live.com/
  2. Sign in and click on Security
  3. Under More security options, choose Disable account
  4. Confirm your choice

Your account will now be disabled, granting no access to anyone.

Re-Enable Later On

To re-activate your disabled account:

  1. Return to https://account.live.com/
  2. Click Reactivate account and sign back in

This will re-enable the account with all previous data intact.

Protecting Your Privacy

When deleting or disabling a Microsoft account, your privacy protection should be a top concern.

Remove Personal Info

Be sure to remove any personal information from your account like:

  • Real name
  • Birthdate
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Payment details

This ensures no sensitive data lingers if your account is ever compromised.

Turn Off Tracking

Also disable privacy settings like:

  • Location tracking
  • Personalization tracking
  • Targeted ads

This prevents Microsoft from collecting additional data about you.

Summary

  • Fully deleting your Microsoft account completely removes it and all associated data from Microsoft’s servers
  • Disabling your account temporarily deactivates it while retaining all data should you ever re-activate it
  • Be sure to back up important data beforehand that you may need later
  • Take privacy precautions like removing personal info and disabling tracking

Deleting or disabling a Microsoft account gives you greater security and privacy protection.

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