Close Microsoft accounts

Microsoft accounts include access to services like Outlook email, OneDrive storage, Xbox profiles, Skype, and Office subscriptions.

If the deceased had a Microsoft account, you may want to close it to protect their data, stop recurring charges, or prevent identity theft.

What is a Microsoft account? A Microsoft account is a single login used for multiple Microsoft services. It typically ends in @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @msn.com. Many people use it for:

• Outlook email
• OneDrive cloud storage
• Xbox gaming accounts
• Skype and Microsoft Teams
• Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Devices like Surface or Windows PCs

Can you access a loved one’s Microsoft account after they die? Microsoft has strict privacy rules. Even with a death certificate, Microsoft will not give you access to the contents of the account (like emails or files). However, you can request that the account be closed.

To access the account’s content, you'll typically need prior consent (such as a shared password or legal digital access granted before death). If you have login credentials, you can close the account directly.

If you have the login info: If you can sign into the Microsoft account here using the deceased’s email and password.

• Go to “Your info” > “Account settings”
• Select “Close your account”
• Follow the instructions to confirm identity and close the account.

Microsoft places a 60-day hold before permanent deletion, in case the account needs to be recovered.

If you don’t have the login info: If you don’t have access, you can submit a Next of Kin Request to Microsoft:

Go to the Microsoft support portal here and search for “Next of kin deceased user request” or visit the Next of Kin Request Form

You will need to provide:

• Proof of death (e.g. death certificate)
• Proof of your legal relationship (e.g. court order or executor letter)
• The deceased’s full name and Microsoft email address

Once submitted, Microsoft will review the request and typically closes the account—but will not provide account content.

How long does it take? If you have the password, closing the account is immediate (with a 60-day reactivation period). If you're going through Microsoft’s Next of Kin process, it can take 2–4 weeks for a response.

Need more help? You can contact Microsoft customer support through their Help & Support page and request escalation if needed.