Deleting your Skype account removes it from Microsoft's servers
When you delete a Skype account, Microsoft closes it permanently and removes your profile, contact list, chat history, and call records from their systems. The process takes a few minutes to complete, but the account cannot be recovered afterward — you will need to create a new one if you change your mind later.
Skype accounts are tied to Microsoft accounts. If you delete your Skype account through the Microsoft account portal, you are deleting the entire Microsoft account, which also removes access to Outlook email, OneDrive, Office 365, and any other Microsoft services linked to that account. If you only want to stop using Skype but keep your Microsoft account, you have a different option: closing Skype without deleting the underlying account.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting your Skype account through the Microsoft account portal removes the entire Microsoft account and all linked services permanently.
- If you want to keep your Microsoft account but stop using Skype, you can remove Skype from your account without full deletion.
- The deletion process requires you to sign in to your Microsoft account and confirm the action through email.
- Once deleted, your Skype username cannot be reused, and your account cannot be recovered.
How to delete your entire Microsoft account (which includes Skype)
Go to the Microsoft account security page at account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the email address and password for the account you want to delete. On the left side, select "Security" and scroll down to find "Delete your account".
Click "Delete your account". Microsoft will show you what will be deleted: your email, files, photos, subscriptions, and any other data tied to that account. Read through the list carefully, because this action cannot be undone. If you have important files or emails, download or back them up before proceeding.
Check the two boxes confirming that you understand your data will be deleted and that you want to proceed. Click "Mark account for deletion". Microsoft will send a confirmation email to the address on file. Open that email and click the link to confirm. Your account will be fully deleted within a few days.
How to remove Skype from your Microsoft account without deleting everything
If you want to keep your Microsoft account but no longer use Skype, you can remove Skype as a service without deleting your email, files, or other Microsoft services. Sign in to your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com.
Go to "Your info" and then select "Manage your Microsoft account". Look for "Apps & services" or "Connected apps" (the exact name varies depending on your region). Find Skype in the list and select "Remove" or "Disconnect". Confirm the action when prompted. Your Skype profile will be removed, but your Microsoft account will remain active.
This option leaves your email address and Microsoft account intact. You can still use Outlook, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services. However, you will not be able to use Skype with that account anymore, and you cannot recover the Skype profile or its chat history.
What happens to your Skype data after deletion
Once your account is deleted, Skype removes your profile picture, display name, contact list, and all messages from conversations. People who had you in their contacts will see that your account no longer exists, though they may still see old messages you sent before deletion in their chat history.
Your username becomes unavailable for reuse. No one else can create a new Skype account with the same username you had. If you had a Skype Number (a phone number tied to your account), that number will be released and may eventually be assigned to someone else.
If you had Skype credit remaining on your account, that credit is forfeited and cannot be refunded. Check your account balance before you delete to see if you have unused credit.
Deleting Skype on your phone or computer does not delete your account
Uninstalling the Skype app from your phone, tablet, or computer only removes the software from that device. Your account remains active on Microsoft's servers, and you can sign back in from any device at any time. To actually delete your account, you must go through the Microsoft account portal as described above.
If you simply want to stop using Skype on one device, uninstall the app and sign out. If you want to stop using Skype everywhere, you still need to delete or disconnect your account through the Microsoft website.
Recovering a deleted Skype account
Microsoft does not restore deleted accounts. Once the deletion is complete, your Skype profile, messages, and contact list are gone permanently. If you deleted your account by mistake, you cannot get it back.
If you deleted your entire Microsoft account and want to use Skype again, you will need to create a new Microsoft account and set up a new Skype profile. You can use a different email address or the same one, but you cannot recover the old account or its data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting Skype delete my Microsoft email?
Only if you delete your entire Microsoft account through the account portal. If you remove Skype as a service while keeping your Microsoft account, your email will remain. Deleting the full account removes email, OneDrive, and all other Microsoft services tied to that account.
Can I reuse my Skype username after I delete it?
No. Once deleted, your username is permanently retired and cannot be claimed by anyone else, including you. If you create a new Skype account later, you will need to choose a different username.
What happens to messages I sent to other people?
Messages you sent remain in other people's chat histories, but your profile will show as deleted. They will not be able to click on your name to view your profile or send you new messages.
Do I lose my Skype Number when I delete my account?
Yes. If you had a Skype Number (a phone number for incoming calls), it will be released when your account is deleted. That number may be reassigned to another user in the future.
How long does it take for Skype to fully delete my account?
Microsoft marks your account for deletion immediately after you confirm via email, but the actual removal from their servers takes a few days. During this time, you cannot sign back in, and your profile is no longer visible to other users.