Close a Hotmail Account

This article teaches you how to delete an Outlook email account (formerly known as Hotmail). You won't be able to use the Outlook mobile app to delete your account.

10 Second Summary

1. Open the Outlook account closure page.
2. Verify your identity.
3. Click Next.
4. Check each box on the page.
5. Select a reason for deleting your account.
6. Click Mark account for closure.

Steps

  1. Navigate to the Outlook account closure page. If you're logged into Outlook, doing so will take you to a password entry page.
    • If you aren't logged into Outlook, first enter your email address and password.
  2. Enter your password. This step is to verify your identity; you'll enter this information in the provided field.
    • If you weren't logged in accessing the account closure page, you'll need to enter the last four digits of your phone number in the field near the bottom of the page, click Send Code, and then enter the code sent to your phone number in the provided field.
  3. Click Sign in. If you had to use a code to verify your account, you'll skip this step.
  4. Click Next. It's at the bottom of the page. The information listed on this page explains the ramifications of deleting your account, so consider reading it first before proceeding.
  5. Click each box on the left side of the page. Doing so will confirm that you've read and accepted each term of deletion.
  6. Click the Select a reason box. It's near the bottom of the page.
  7. Click a reason for closing your account. You'll need to do this before you can mark your account for closure.
    • If you don't have a particular reason for deleting your account, just click My reason isn't listed.
  8. Click Mark Account for Closure. This is the blue button at the bottom of the page. Clicking this option will mark your account for deletion.
    • If you change your mind, simply log back into your Outlook account at any time in the following 60 days.

Tips

  • Create your new email account with whichever web-based service you choose before deleting your Hotmail account. Most email providers offer a service to import your existing contacts and other data from a previous email provider.

Warnings

  • After the 60-day grace period expires, your account will be irretrievable.

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