Deleting Your Microsoft Account: A How-To Guide

There are various reasons a user might choose to delete their account on Microsoft. Perhaps they want to protect their privacy and are uncomfortable with the amount of data that Microsoft collects. Or maybe they no longer wish to use the services that are offered.

Whatever the reason, deleting an account from Microsoft is fairly simple. This will remove all personal information associated with the account, including emails stored in Outlook or OneDrive documents saved in SkyDrive. Once deleted, the user must sign out of any other Microsoft services that use the account. It is important to note that once an account on Microsoft has been deleted, it cannot be recovered.

While a user can always create a new account with the same email address, any information associated with their old one will no longer be accessible. This includes game points, payment methods, and other data connected to the original account. For this reason, deleting an account should be done only after ensuring all accounts and data are backed up or saved elsewhere.

The article below will cover the most secure methods to delete a Microsoft account.

Remove Your Microsoft Account by Switching to a Local Account

If you are pursuing to delete Microsoft accounts, i.e., delete your Microsoft account, then switching to the local account can serve the purpose. Shifting from Microsoft account to a new account will remove the Microsoft account. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Via windows 10, launch Microsoft’s official website. Sign in to your account.

Step 2: Launch windows settings from the windows key+ I shortcut keys. In the settings window, select the option of accounts.

Step 3: In the accounts window, click the option of your info followed by signing in, i.e., sign in with a local account instead.

Step 4: In the next window, enter the current password of your Microsoft account. Click next to continue.

Step 5: Now add your credentials for the local account and click next to complete the action.

Step 6: In the next step, sign out from the Microsoft account and click finish to complete the action.

Step 7: Now head towards the device login screen and enter the credentials for the local account created.

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Remove Microsoft Account from Settings

To delete an account, i.e., Microsoft services, or if you are pursuing account closure, removing the Microsoft account ID from windows settings can help the purpose. Here is how you can permanently delete the account.

Step 1: Start the process by logging in to the local account from the Windows 10 sign-in screen.

Step 2: Launch windows settings from the main menu. Type settings in the taskbar’s search box and double-click the option to launch.

Step 3: In the settings menu, select the option of accounts followed by selecting family and other people.

Step 4: In the next window, navigate to the option of other people and select the Microsoft account. Click Remove to delete/remove the Microsoft account from the device.

Step 5: In the last step, click the option to delete account and data.

Remove Microsoft Account from Control Panel

If your purpose is to delete your Microsoft account from the device, you can pursue the action from the control panel. Removing the Microsoft account from the device will also stop all Microsoft products. Here is how you can act.

Step 1: Launch the control panel from the Windows main menu. Type control in the taskbar’s search box and double-click the option to launch it.

Step 2: In the control panel window, navigate to the option of user accounts followed by selecting remove user accounts.

Step 3: In the next window, click the Microsoft account that needs to be removed from the device. Now click the option to delete the account present in the left pane.

Step 4: In the next step, click the option to delete files. Confirm the delete action by clicking the option to delete account.

Remove Microsoft Account Using netplwiz

Removing a Microsoft account from the device can be done via command prompt action. Here is how you can perform the action.

Step 1: Launch the Run utility from windows key +R. In the command box, type netplwiz and click ok to continue.

Step 2: In the user accounts window, navigate to the user’s tab.

Step 3: In the user’s tab, click mark account, and ensure you choose the account that needs to be removed from the device.

Step 4: In the next step, click remove to complete the action. Confirm the action by clicking yes.

Adding Two-Factor Authentication

Adding two-factor authentication to your Microsoft account is essential for several reasons. It helps mark your account as yours and makes it more difficult for others to access or delete it without your permission.

With two-factor authentication enabled, you will have an extra layer of security should someone try to gain access to your account maliciously. This also ensures that only you can reset the password for the account if ever needed. Adding two-factor authentication is a simple process that takes only a few minutes. Still, it could save you from significant data loss or other negative consequences if someone tries to gain access to your account without permission.

With this setup in place, you can be sure that you are taking all the necessary steps for maximum security and peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Delete Microsoft Accounts