Microsoft account is a powerful tool for accessing the various features of Microsoft products. It enables users to use their email address to access their Microsoft services such as Office, Skype, OneDrive, and many others. The account also stores users’ personal information such as their contact details, payment methods, and billing information. However, there are instances when users may want to delete their Microsoft account due to various reasons such as security, privacy, or simply to stop using the account. This blog post will guide you on how to delete a Microsoft account from your computer.

Video Tutorial:

Why You Need to Delete A Microsoft Account from Your Computer

There are several reasons why you may need to delete your Microsoft account. Some of the main reasons include:

  • Security concerns – If you no longer trust that your account is secure, it is best to delete it to protect your sensitive information.
  • Privacy concerns – If you previously used the account for email or file storage, you may no longer feel comfortable with Microsoft storing this information.
  • Need to stop using the account – If you no longer use the services that require a Microsoft account.

Method 1: Via Microsoft Account Website

Deleting a Microsoft account is relatively easy, and you can do it through the Microsoft Account website. Here’s how:

  1. Go to the Microsoft Account website using the link: https://account.microsoft.com/
  2. Sign in using the Microsoft account credentials you want to delete.
  3. Click on the “Security” tab on the top left-hand corner of the page.
  4. Scroll down to the bottom of the page until you find the “More Security Options” section.
  5. Under “Account Security”, click on “Close my account”.
  6. Read through the page outlining what will happen to your account after deletion, then click “Next”.
  7. Select the checkboxes of the reasons why you want to delete the account from the available list, then click “Mark account for closure”.
  8. Microsoft may request more information to verify that it’s your account. Follow the instructions carefully.
  9. Once Microsoft verifies that it’s your account, your account will be deleted in 60 days.

Pros:

  1. Straightforward process to follow.
  2. You can do it from anywhere as long as you have a reliable internet connection.
  3. Microsoft provides a 60-day grace period in case you want to change your mind.

Cons:

  1. You’ll need to sign in to the account first, which may be challenging if you can’t remember the credentials.
  2. You’ll need a reliable internet connection throughout the process.
  3. You have to wait for 60 days before the account is fully deleted, which may be inconvenient.

Method 2: Via Your Windows 10 Computer

If you use a Windows 10 computer, you can delete your Microsoft account directly from your computer. Here’s how:

  1. Click the Windows button in the lower-left corner of your screen, and then click on “Settings”
  2. Select “Accounts”
  3. Select “Your Info”
  4. Select “Sign in with a local account instead”
  5. Follow the instructions carefully to switch to a local account
  6. Once you’ve switched to a local account, click on “Accounts” again.
  7. Click on “Family & other users” on the left-hand side of the page.
  8. Find the user account you want to delete and click on it.
  9. Click on “Remove” under the user account’s name.
  10. Click on “Delete account and data” to confirm.

Pros:

  1. You don’t need to sign in to delete the account if you have access to the computer.
  2. The process is easy to follow even for inexperienced users.

Cons:

  1. You can only delete accounts that aren’t your current account.
  2. You’ll lose all the data and information associated with the account if you delete it.

Method 3: Contact Microsoft Support

If you’re having difficulties deleting your Microsoft account using the above methods, you can choose to contact Microsoft support. Here’s how:

  1. Go to the Microsoft Support page using the link: https://support.microsoft.com/
  2. Click on the “Get Help” link at the top of the page.
  3. Select “See Contact Options” on the left-hand side of the page.
  4. Select the problem you’re experiencing.
  5. If you don’t see your issue, click on “More options” and select the appropriate issue from the list provided.
  6. Fill in your details and follow the on-screen instructions to contact Microsoft support.

Pros:

  1. You’ll have assistance from Microsoft that can solve technical issues you may encounter while deleting your account.
  2. You can get support from a competent team.

Cons:

  1. You’ll have to wait in a line to get support from Microsoft.
  2. You won’t be able to delete your account immediately.

What to Do If You Can’t Delete Your Microsoft Account

If you encounter technical problems trying to delete your Microsoft account, there are some ways to fix the issue.

  • Confirm whether you’re using the right credentials of the account you want to delete. Perhaps the account you’re signing in to isn’t the account you want to delete.
  • Ensure you have a reliable internet connection.
  • If you’re using a Windows 10 computer, try logging in with an administrator account.
  • If none of the above solutions work, contact Microsoft support.

Bonus Tip

If you have data you want to keep before deleting your Microsoft account, you should back it up first. Save it on your local computer or on an external hard drive.

5 FAQs

Q1: Can I delete my Microsoft account immediately?

A: No, you have to wait for 60 days before the account is fully deleted.

Q2: Can I delete accounts that I’m currently signed in to?

A: No, you can only delete other accounts that you added to your computer or another device.

Q3: Can I access a deleted Microsoft account?

A: No, once the account is deleted, all its data and information are lost.

Q4: Can I recover a deleted Microsoft account?

A: No, you can’t recover a deleted account.

Q5: Can I stop the 60-day waiting period?

A: No, the 60-day period is a mandatory waiting period set by Microsoft to ensure the security of all its users.

Final Thoughts

Deleting a Microsoft account is a necessary step for anyone who needs to secure their sensitive information or stop using Microsoft services. Follow any of the methods we outlined above to help you get rid of your account easily. If you can’t delete your account, don’t panic, as our recommended fixes may be enough to solve the issue. Ensure you back up your data and information before deleting the account.

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