Deleting a Hotmail account is permanent and removes access to all Microsoft services tied to that email

When you delete a Hotmail account, Microsoft closes it permanently. You lose access to the email address itself, any messages stored in it, OneDrive files linked to that account, Xbox Live profiles, and any other Microsoft services connected to it. The deletion takes about 60 days to fully process — during that time, Microsoft keeps your data in case you change your mind, but after 60 days, everything is gone for good.

The process is straightforward but irreversible, so make sure you have downloaded or forwarded any emails you want to keep before you start. If you use your Hotmail address to sign into other services — banking apps, social media, shopping sites — you will lose access to those accounts unless you update the recovery email address first.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting your Hotmail account removes access to all Microsoft services and takes 60 days to fully complete.
  • You have 60 days to change your mind and reactivate the account before the deletion becomes permanent.
  • Before deletion, download or forward any emails you want to keep, and update the recovery email on any other accounts that use your Hotmail address.
  • You will need to sign in to your Microsoft account to start the deletion process.

Steps to delete your Hotmail account

Go to the Microsoft account security page at account.microsoft.com/security and sign in with your Hotmail email and password. Once you are logged in, look for the "Advanced security options" section and select "Delete account".

Microsoft will ask you to confirm your identity by entering a security code sent to your phone or recovery email. After you enter the code, you will see a warning that explains what will be deleted — your emails, files, photos, and access to all Microsoft services. Read through this carefully, because this is your last chance to back out before the 60-day countdown starts.

Check the boxes confirming that you understand the consequences, then select "Delete account". Microsoft will send you a confirmation email to a backup address on file. The account is now in deletion status, and you have 60 days to undo this if you change your mind.

What happens during the 60-day waiting period

For the first 60 days after you request deletion, your account is in a suspended state. You cannot sign in, but Microsoft has not yet erased your data. If you decide you want to keep the account, you can sign back in during this window and the deletion will be cancelled.

After 60 days, Microsoft permanently removes all your data from their servers. The email address becomes available for someone else to register, though Microsoft typically waits several months before allowing that. Once the 60 days are up, there is no way to recover your account or any of its contents.

Backing up your data before deletion

Before you delete your account, download any emails or files you want to keep. In Hotmail, you can export your messages by using the built-in export feature or by forwarding important emails to a different email address you control.

For files stored in OneDrive linked to your Hotmail account, sign in to OneDrive, select the files you want to keep, and download them to your computer. If you have photos in OneDrive, download those too — they will be deleted along with the account. Check your Microsoft account settings for any other services or subscriptions tied to this email, like Xbox Game Pass or Microsoft 365, and move them to a different email address if you want to keep using them.

Updating other accounts that use your Hotmail address

Many services — banks, email providers, social media platforms, shopping sites — use your Hotmail address as the recovery email or login method. Before you delete your Hotmail account, change the email address on those accounts to a different email you control.

Start with the most important ones: your bank, your email provider, and any accounts with payment information. Log into each service, find the account settings or security section, and update the email address. If you cannot remember which services use your Hotmail address, check your email inbox for password reset links, account confirmations, or billing notices — those will tell you where your address is registered.

If you want to keep the email but stop using it

Deletion is permanent, but you do not have to delete your account if you just want to stop using it. You can instead sign out and simply not log back in. The account will remain active, and you can return to it at any time.

If you want to reduce the clutter without losing access, you can also create a new Hotmail or Outlook.com address and forward your old messages to it, or set up an auto-reply explaining that you have moved to a new email. This keeps your account intact while moving your active email life elsewhere.

What you cannot recover after deletion

Once the 60-day period ends, Microsoft does not restore deleted accounts under any circumstances. You cannot recover emails, files, photos, or any other data. You cannot reactivate the email address — it is gone. If you had a Microsoft 365 subscription, OneDrive storage, or Xbox Game Pass tied to that account, those services will be cancelled.

If you had a business account through Microsoft 365 for work, contact your IT administrator before deleting it — they may need to transfer files or data first. Personal accounts are your responsibility to back up before deletion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reactivate my Hotmail account after I delete it?

Yes, but only within 60 days of requesting deletion. Sign in with your email and password during that window, and the deletion will be cancelled. After 60 days, the account is permanently gone and cannot be recovered.

What happens to my OneDrive files when I delete my Hotmail account?

All files stored in OneDrive linked to that account are deleted permanently after the 60-day waiting period. Download any files you want to keep before you request account deletion.

Can someone else use my Hotmail email address after I delete it?

Not immediately. After deletion, Microsoft typically holds the email address for several months before allowing new registrations. Eventually, yes, someone else could register that address, so do not rely on it being unavailable.

Will deleting my Hotmail account affect my Xbox or Microsoft 365 subscription?

Yes. Any Xbox Live profile, Microsoft 365 subscription, or other Microsoft service tied to that account will be cancelled or removed. Move these services to a different Microsoft account before deletion if you want to keep using them.

Do I need to delete my account, or can I just stop using it?

You do not have to delete it. You can simply stop logging in and leave the account active. Deletion is permanent and irreversible, so only choose it if you are certain you will never need the account or any of its data again.