Microsoft Outlook is a popular email service used by millions of people around the world. However, there may come a time when you no longer need your Outlook email account and want to delete it. Whether you are switching to a different email provider or simply want to declutter your inbox, deleting your Outlook email account is a simple process. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to delete your Microsoft Outlook email account.
Before You Begin
Before you delete your Outlook email account, it is important to note that this action is permanent and cannot be undone. Once you delete your account, you will no longer have access to any emails, contacts, or other data associated with that account. Therefore, it is important to back up any important emails or contacts before proceeding with the deletion process.
Step 1: Sign in to Your Account
The first step to deleting your Outlook email account is to sign in to your account. Go to the Outlook website and enter your email address and password to log in.
Step 2: Go to Account Settings
Once you are signed in, click on your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen. From the drop-down menu, select “My Account” to go to your account settings.
Step 3: Navigate to Security Settings
In the account settings page, click on the “Security” tab on the left-hand side of the screen. This will take you to the security settings for your account.
Step 4: Click on “More Security Options”
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “More security options” link. This will open a new page with additional security settings for your account.
Step 5: Select “Close My Account”
On the new page, scroll down to the bottom and click on the “Close my account” link. This will take you to the account closure page.
Step 6: Verify Your Identity
Before you can delete your account, you will need to verify your identity. This is to ensure that only the account owner can delete the account. Follow the prompts to verify your identity.
Step 7: Confirm Account Closure
Once your identity has been verified, you will be taken to the final step of the account deletion process. Here, you will be asked to confirm that you want to close your account. Click on “Next” to proceed.
Step 8: Read the Important Information
Before you can delete your account, you will need to read and acknowledge the important information provided by Microsoft. This includes information about what will happen to your data and services associated with your account. Once you have read and acknowledged this information, click on “Mark account for closure” to proceed.
Step 9: Wait for 60 Days
After you have marked your account for closure, your account will remain active for 60 days. During this time, you can still access your account and cancel the closure if you change your mind. After 60 days, your account will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
Conclusion
Deleting your Microsoft Outlook email account is a simple process that can be completed in just a few steps. However, it is important to remember that this action is permanent and cannot be undone. Make sure to back up any important data before proceeding with the deletion process. We hope this guide has been helpful in showing you how to delete your Outlook email account. If you have any questions or need further assistance, let us know in the comments below.