Welcome to our article for those who are searching for a way to delete their Microsoft account from Windows 10. Microsoft is one of the most popular operating systems in the world, but sometimes the user might want to delete their account for various reasons. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to delete your Microsoft account from Windows 10 with some explanations and tips to ensure it is done easily and safely.
Steps
Step 1: Back Up Your Data
The first step in deleting your Microsoft account from Windows 10 is to back up your data. This will ensure that you don’t lose any important data when you delete your account. To backup your data, you can simply copy your important files and folders onto an external device or cloud storage like OneDrive and Google Drive.
Step 2: Ensure You Have an Administrator Account
To delete your Microsoft account from Windows 10, you need to ensure that your account has administrator privileges. If you don’t have an administrator account, you will not be able to delete your account. To check if you have administrator privileges, open ‘Settings’ and go to ‘Accounts’ and ‘Your Info.’
Step 3: Open Your Microsoft Account
Now that you have an administrator account, go to the Microsoft website and sign in with your Microsoft account credentials. Once you are logged in, go to ‘Security and Privacy’ and scroll down to ‘More Security Options.’
Step 4: Verify Your Identity
To ensure that it’s truly you who is deleting the Microsoft account, Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity. You can do this by answering some security questions or by entering your mobile device or email for a security code.
Step 5: Select ‘Close My Account’
After verifying your identity, you will land on the ‘Security and Privacy’ page again. Scroll down to the ‘Close Your Account’ section and select ‘Close My Account.’
Step 6: Read the Disclaimer
Before deleting your account, you will be asked to read a disclaimer about the consequences of deleting your account. This will help you understand what exactly will happen when you delete your account. Read it carefully and select ‘Next.’
Step 7: Check All the Boxes
After reading the disclaimer, you will see a list of checkboxes. Here, you need to check all the boxes to confirm that you understand what will happen when you delete your account.
Step 8: Select a Reason for Leaving
You will be asked to select a reason for leaving Microsoft. Select the most appropriate one for you, and when finished, click ‘Mark Account for Closure.’
Step 9: Re-enter Password
You need to re-enter your Microsoft password to confirm that you really want to delete your account.
Step 10: Select ‘Next’
After entering your password, select ‘Next’ to complete the account deletion process.
Step 11: Wait for 60 Days
Once you have marked your account for closure, Microsoft gives you 60 days to reconsider. If within these 60 days you changed your mind about deleting your account, you can reactivate your account anytime by signing-in.
Step 12: Confirm Deletion
After 60 days, Microsoft will proceed with the deletion of your account. You will receive an email from Microsoft to confirm that your account is deleted.
Explanation
Now that you have gone through the steps to delete your Microsoft account from Windows 10, let’s explore a few explanations. Deleting your Microsoft account means you will lose access to all Microsoft services, including cloud storage, Skype, and Outlook. Also, if you have purchased any apps or services using your Microsoft account, you will lose access to them too.
It’s important to remember that the data you’ve created while using Microsoft’s services will be deleted along with your account. For example, your emails, photos, files, and other personal information will be gone. However, some data may remain in Microsoft’s servers after account closure for legal and audit purposes.
Tips and Tricks
Tip 1: Backup Your Data
Before you delete your Microsoft account, make sure that you have backed up all your important data like emails, files, and photos. This will ensure that you don’t lose any important data that you might need in the future
Tip 2: Check for Outstanding Payments
Before deleting your Microsoft account, check for any unpaid balances on Microsoft services. With an outstanding balance, Microsoft can refuse to close your account. If you have an unpaid balance, pay it, and then proceed with the account deletion process.
Tip 3: Deactivate or Transfer Subscriptions
If you have any subscriptions on the Microsoft service, make sure to deactivate them before you delete your account. Make sure to transfer those subscriptions to a new account if you need to keep using the service.
Tip 4: Clear Browser History and Cookies
Clear all your browser history, cache, and cookies once you have deleted your account. This will ensure that your account information is not saved on other sites that you visit.
Tip 5: Choose a Good Reason for Leaving
While exiting the Microsoft service, choose your reason carefully. The reason you choose will help Microsoft improve its service.
Tip 6: Contact Microsoft Support
If you encounter any issues while deleting your account, make sure to reach out to Microsoft support. They can guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
Tip 7: Understand the Consequences
Before deleting your account, read the disclaimer carefully and understand the consequences. Make a list of services and subscriptions that you may lose access to.
Tip 8: Reactivate Before 60 Days
If you changed your mind about deleting your account, you can reactivate it before the 60 days grace period. After 60 days, Microsoft will delete your account permanently, and there is nothing you can do about it.
Tip 9: Transfer Your Microsoft Account
If you don’t want to lose access to Microsoft services, you can transfer your Microsoft account to another user. The new user will receive all your data and subscriptions, and you will no longer have access to them.
Tip 10: Read Microsoft’s Data Retention Policy
Before deciding to delete your Microsoft account, make sure to read Microsoft’s data retention policy. This will give you a good understanding of how long your data will be stored in Microsoft servers after account closure and why.
How to Delete Microsoft Account from Windows 10
Advantages
Deleting your Microsoft account from Windows 10 has several advantages, including:
| Advantages | Explanation |
|---|---|
| More Security | Deleting your Microsoft account helps improve security because you don’t have to worry about your personal information getting hacked or leaked. |
| More Storage | Deleting your account can free up space on your computer and give you more storage. |
| More Control | Deleting your account gives you more control over your computer, as you can switch to a local account and have more privacy. |
| Less Distraction | Deleting your account can help reduce distractions from notifications and ads, as you won’t be signed in to your Microsoft account. |
| Less Bloatware | Deleting your account can help remove unnecessary apps and bloatware that come pre-installed with Windows 10. |
Disadvantages
However, there are also several disadvantages to deleting your Microsoft account, including:
| Disadvantages | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Less Convenience | You may lose some convenience by not having access to Microsoft apps and services that require a Microsoft account. |
| Less Integration | You may lose some integration with other Microsoft devices and services. |
| Less Recovery Options | If you forget your password or lose access to your account, you may have fewer recovery options without a Microsoft account. |
| Less Support | Sometimes, you may not get as much support from Microsoft if you run into issues without a Microsoft account. |
| Less Personalization | You may lose some personalization options and settings without a Microsoft account. |
Conclusion
Deleting your Microsoft account from Windows 10 is a personal decision that depends on your needs and preferences. It is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before making a decision.
FAQ
1. Why would I want to delete my Microsoft account?
There are several reasons why you might want to delete your Microsoft account, such as security concerns, switching to a different email provider, or simply not needing the account anymore.
2. Can I delete my Microsoft account from Windows 10?
Yes, you can delete your Microsoft account from Windows 10 by following a few simple steps.
3. Will deleting my Microsoft account delete all my data?
No, deleting your Microsoft account from Windows 10 will not delete any data from your computer or other devices.
4. What happens when I delete my Microsoft account?
You will lose access to all Microsoft services associated with that account, including OneDrive, Xbox Live, and Skype.
5. How do I back up my data before deleting my Microsoft account?
You can back up your data by transferring files to an external hard drive or cloud storage service before deleting your Microsoft account.
6. Do I need to sign out of my Microsoft account before deleting it?
Yes, you should sign out of your Microsoft account before deleting it to ensure that all data associated with the account is removed.
7. Can I delete a Microsoft account that is linked to another account?
No, you cannot delete a Microsoft account that is linked to another account. You will need to unlink the accounts first before proceeding with the deletion process.
8. How do I unlink a Microsoft account from another account?
You can unlink a Microsoft account from another account by going to the account settings and selecting the option to unlink the accounts.
9. What should I do if I can’t delete my Microsoft account?
If you are having trouble deleting your Microsoft account, you should contact Microsoft support for assistance.
10. Will I be able to create a new Microsoft account after deleting my old one?
Yes, you can create a new Microsoft account after deleting your old one.
11. Is there a waiting period before I can delete my Microsoft account?
No, there is no waiting period before you can delete your Microsoft account.
12. What if I change my mind after deleting my Microsoft account?
Unfortunately, once you delete your Microsoft account, it cannot be recovered. You will need to create a new account if you change your mind.
13. What are some alternatives to deleting my Microsoft account?
If you don’t want to delete your Microsoft account, you can simply sign out of it or disable it temporarily.
How to Delete Microsoft Account from Windows 10
Microsoft account is your gateway to Microsoft services and applications. It is your username and password in different Microsoft products and applications. However, if you want to delete your Microsoft account in Windows 10, it is possible. This article will guide you on how to delete your Microsoft account from Windows 10.
Conclusion and Closing
Deleting your Microsoft account from Windows 10 is a straightforward process. However, you need to be careful since deleting your Microsoft account will also delete your data, apps, and settings associated with it. Before proceeding with the process, make sure you have a backup of your important files and emails. Follow the steps carefully, and you will be able to delete your Microsoft account from your computer successfully.
Thank you for reading this article on how to delete Microsoft account from Windows 10. We hope that this guide has been helpful to you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Until next time, happy computing!