Hey, what’s up?
Are you thinking about closing and deleting your Microsoft account? Well, that’s exactly what I just did, and in this post I’m going to show you how I made it happen and why I decided to move on.
If you’re trying to leave Microsoft behind, this guide is for you.
1 – Closing the Account
The first step is simple. Go to Microsoft’s account closure page and start the process.
They’ll tell you a few important things:
Your account is not deleted instantly.
You get either 30 or 60 days before it’s permanently closed.
During that time, you can still reopen it if you change your mind.
They will also remind you what you’re about to lose access to:
Outlook and email
OneDrive files
Office subscriptions
Skype
Xbox related services
Purchased apps and games
Certifications and other attached services
You pick a reason, confirm that you understand everything, and then you mark the account for closure.
That’s it. Mine will disappear in 30 days.
2 – A Very Old Account
In my case, this account was extremely old. I created it something like 15 or 20 years ago.
Back then it was just an email address. Over time it slowly turned into a full Microsoft identity connected to Windows, Office, OneDrive, and a lot more.
For many years it was my main email, the one I used every single day. And as you know, once an email is used everywhere, it goes deep into your digital life.
3 – The Long Transition Away From Microsoft
I did not wake up one morning and delete everything.
This took years.
Around early 2024 I got tired of Windows and decided to switch to Linux. I moved step by step, little by little.
For example:
I replaced Outlook with Thunderbird.
I replaced Microsoft Office with LibreOffice.
I moved my files from OneDrive to my own Nextcloud.
Eventually, I replaced Windows with Linux on my main machine.
I still kept Windows around for some games, but honestly Linux gaming is now good enough that I am ready to let it go.
If a piece of software does not support Linux, maybe it is not worth my time.
4 – The Hardest Part Is Email
Deleting software is easy.
Changing your email after decades is not.
Every website, every account, every login probably uses that address.
What helped me is that I own my own domain name. I use it to create my own email addresses. That means I control them, not a big corporation.
Then I went through my accounts one by one and changed the email.
Yes, it is slow.
Yes, it is annoying.
But it works.
I also used that moment to delete many services I did not need anymore.
5 – Why I Am Doing This
It is pretty simple.
I do not trust big tech companies anymore, and I feel better reducing how much they are involved in my life.
Recently I decided I want to distance myself as much as possible from services coming from the United States. Maybe my opinion changes in the future, but right now that is the direction I want to take.
Deleting the account means the bridge is burned.
No more maybe.
No more going back and forth.
And I like the idea of them removing my data.
6 – Do You Need To Do It?
Not necessarily.
If you bought many games, apps, or subscriptions, keeping the account might make more sense for you.
You can simply stop using it and leave it there.
For me, I preferred a clean break.
If one day I really need Microsoft again, I can always create a new account.
7 – I Am Not Perfect Either
I am still using other big platforms.
I still use Google for YouTube.
I still use Facebook for Marketplace and Messenger.
I still use Discord, even if I am looking at alternatives like Matrix.
Those might go away one day too.
But Microsoft was the first big chapter I wanted to close.
Conclusion
Microsoft is officially out of my life, and it honestly feels good.
The process takes time, especially the email migration, but once it is done you gain a lot of control over your digital identity.
If this helped you, feel free to share the post or leave a comment. Your experience might help someone else.
I hope this helps, peace!
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