Before you begin, there are a few steps you should take first:

Cancel your active Microsoft subscriptions.

This step is crucial because it becomes much harder to cancel once your Microsoft account has been deleted.

For example, you’ll want tocancel Microsoft 365.

Email address highlighted on Microsoft account verification page.

If you have an Xbox, check that youcancel Xbox Liveandcancel Xbox Game Pass.

The official support page hasinstructions for canceling other Microsoft account subscriptions.

Go to theMicrosoft account closure pageand sign in to your account.

60 and Next highlighted on the Microsoft account closure page.

Verify your identity if prompted.

Carefully read over the confirmation page to see to it that you’re ready to close your account.

This step is required before it’s possible for you to continue.

Checkboxes and Select a reason box highlighted on Microsoft account closure page.

Microsoft has instructions formanaging organizations for a work or school account.

Check all of the boxes and read over the details so you understand what closing your account means.

At the bottom, click theSelect a reasonbox.

Options and “Mark account for closure” highlighted on the Microsoft account closure page.

You’ll see the date your account will be permanently deleted at the top of the next page.

SelectDoneor end the net online gate window.

What Happens When I Delete My Microsoft Account?

Done highlighted on Microsoft account closure confirmation page.