Microsoft accounts have been an integral part of Windows operating systems since 2012. They serve multiple functions from logging into Windows to using various Microsoft products. However, the situation may arise when you would want to delete your Microsoft account on your computer. Maybe you’re switching to a different email service or just want to get rid of an old account. Whatever the reason, deleting a Microsoft account on a Windows computer can be a bit challenging. This blog post will guide you step by step on how to delete a Microsoft account on a computer.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Deleting A Microsoft Account on A Computer
Deleting a Microsoft account on a computer is not as easy as it should be. When you try to delete your Microsoft account, you may encounter various challenges. Firstly, you need to have administrative rights to do so. Secondly, Microsoft accounts can be linked to multiple services such as Xbox, OneDrive and Skype. So, deleting an account may also cause you to lose data associated with these services.
Things You Should Prepare for
Deleting a Microsoft account needs some preparation to be done before you start deleting it. Here’s a list of things that you should do before you start the process:
1. Back up important data that is linked to your Microsoft account.
2. Make sure you have administrative rights to the account.
3. Understand that deleting your account will irreversibly erase data associated with it.
4. Make sure that deleting the account will not compromise your other services and data on those services.
Method 1: Via Microsoft Account Website
Using the Microsoft account website is the easiest way to delete your Microsoft account on a computer. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open a web browser.
2. Go to the Microsoft account website.
3. Sign in with your Microsoft account email and password.
4. Click on Security.
5. Click on More security options.
6. Scroll down and click on Close my account.
7. Choose a reason for why you want to close your account.
8. Click Mark account for closure.
9. Review the details and confirm.
Pros:
– The easiest way to delete your Microsoft account.
– You can do it from anywhere with an internet connection.
Cons:
– You need to sign in to your account before deleting it.
– Deleting your account may not delete the data associated with it from other services.
Method 2: Using Windows Settings
Using Windows Settings is another way to delete your Microsoft account from your computer. Here’s how to do it:
1. Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
2. Click on Accounts.
3. Click on Your info.
4. Click on Sign in with a local account instead.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up a local account.
6. Go back to Your info.
7. Click on Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.
8. Enter your Microsoft account password and click Next.
9. Click on Disconnect.
10. Choose a reason for why you want to disconnect your account.
11. Click on Next.
12. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Pros:
– You don’t need an internet connection to delete your Microsoft account.
– You don’t need to sign in to your account before deleting it.
Cons:
– You have to set up a local account to delete your Microsoft account.
– It’s a bit more complicated than using the Microsoft account website.
Method 3: Via Microsoft Support
If you are unable to delete your Microsoft account using the above methods, you can contact Microsoft Support. They will guide you through the process or delete it on your behalf. Here’s how you can reach out to Microsoft Support:
1. Go to the Microsoft Support website.
2. Click on Contact support.
3. Click on Windows.
4. Click on Account & sign-in.
5. Click on Microsoft account.
6. Click on Contact support.
Pros:
– You can get personalized assistance from Microsoft support.
– They can delete the account on your behalf if you are unable to do it yourself.
Cons:
– There may be long wait times to connect to support.
– It may not be the quickest way to delete your account.
Why Can’t I Delete My Microsoft Account?
There can be several reasons why you may not be able to delete your Microsoft account. Here are a few possible reasons and solutions:
Q1: I don’t have administrative rights to my account. What should I do?
A: Try to sign in to another account on the computer which has administrative rights. Use that account to delete your Microsoft account.
Q2: I have outstanding subscriptions on my Microsoft account. What should I do?
A: Cancel all outstanding subscriptions before trying to delete the account. Otherwise, you won’t be able to delete it.
Q3: I’m unable to sign in to my Microsoft account to delete it. What should I do?
A: Use another computer or a mobile device to delete the Microsoft account from the Microsoft account website.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips that may help you in deleting your Microsoft account:
1. If you have been using the Microsoft account only to log in to Windows, you can switch to a local account without deleting the Microsoft account altogether.
2. If you change your mind after requesting to delete your account, you can cancel the request within 60 days.
3. It may take up to 60 days for your Microsoft account to be completely deleted.
4. Before deleting the account, make sure to unlink it from other services to avoid losing data.
5 FAQs about Deleting A Microsoft Account on A Computer
Q1: Can I delete my Microsoft account without losing data on other services?
A: No. Deleting your Microsoft account will also delete all the data associated with it on other services such as OneDrive, Skype, and Xbox.
Q2: Can I recover my Microsoft account after deleting it?
A: No. Once you delete your Microsoft account, it cannot be recovered.
Q3: Will deleting my Microsoft account also delete the data on my computer?
A: No. Deleting your Microsoft account will not delete data on your computer. However, data linked to the account on other services may be lost.
Q4: How long will it take for my Microsoft account to be deleted?
A: It may take up to 60 days for your Microsoft account to be completely deleted.
Q5: Are there any negative consequences to deleting my Microsoft account?
A: You may lose access to data linked to your account on other services. Additionally, you will not be able to use your Microsoft account to sign in to Windows or other Microsoft products.
In Conclusion
Deleting a Microsoft account on a computer can be a daunting task. However, armed with the knowledge and tips mentioned in this blog post, you should be able to do it with ease. Remember to take necessary precautions before deleting your account and unlink it from other services before doing so. Always make sure to understand the consequences of deleting your account before you go ahead with it.