Microsoft IDs
Revised 2025-07-18 1431

Table of Contents

GenGeneral/Background
DelClosing/Removing/Deleting a Microsoft ID
ROpReopen/Reactivate a Microsoft ID
ChgChanging/Renaming a Microsoft ID

Return to Knowledge Base (KB) home | Top

Revised 2025-07-18 1431

General / Background

Microsoft IDs are used for an expanding number access points to Microsoft products and often acquired products. Some such products may be abandoned by Microsoft over time.

This document simply covers the manipulation of Microsoft IDs NOT their usage. However, SOME products which require a Microsoft ID include:

Note: Since any given Microsoft ID may be used for any number of product "accounts". In reality, it is ONE account/ID that is used for any number of products! Hence proceed with due caution...

Note: As part of the Microsoft signin process, they will often send a code via e-mail. Concerns/issues:

Return to Knowledge Base (KB) home | Top

Revised 2025-07-28 1427

Closing/Removing/Deleting a Microsoft ID

Warning, Closing any Microsoft ID / account may remove access to more than one Microsoft product.

Source URL: https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA142/how-do-i-close-my-account-for-skype

As noted in the warning, closing a Microsoft ID / Account may impact multiple products. Even though this URL notes it is for "Skype" that is not neccassary so.

  1. Go to the Microsoft account closure page.
  2. If you're prompted to sign in and/or verify your account, follow the instructions.
  3. Check that the page shows the correct Microsoft account, and then click Next.
  4. Read the list and click the checkboxes to acknowledge you've read each item.
  5. Choose to have the re-open window set to 30 or 60 (30 seems best).
  6. In the Select a reason drop-down list, choose the reason why you're closing the account (typically, the last reason).
  7. Select Mark account for closure.
  8. Your Microsoft account will be closed after the re-open window is over. We wait the chosen number of days before permanently deleting accounts in case you change your mind or need to access something before it's gone. You can change your mind any time during the re-open period, just sign in to cancel the closure.

Return to Knowledge Base (KB) home | Top

Revised 2023-11-29 1805

Reopen/Reactivate a Microsoft ID

Source URL: Unknown but could be linked by one of the sources noted elsewhere in this document.

Note: This ONLY works during during the period specified during the closure procedure described above (30 or 60 days).

    Note: If one wishes to reopen the account they/you have up to 60 days to do so after performing the above.
  1. Go to https://login.live.com/login.srf.
  2. Log in.
  3. Click "Continue".
  4. Type the backup e-mail address (it should be the same as the account login name/e-mail).
  5. Click "Send code".
  6. Enter the code received.
  7. Click "Next".
  8. Click "Done".

Return to Knowledge Base (KB) home | Top

Revised 2023-11-29 2324

Changing/Renaming a Microsoft ID

Warning, Changing any Microsoft ID / account sign-in may alter access to more than one Microsoft product. (See above in General / Background...)

Source URL: https://support.microsoft.com/home/contact?linkquery=Change%20the%20email%20address%20or%20phone%20number%20for%20your%20Microsoft%20account

As noted in the warning, closing a Microsoft ID / Account may impact multiple products. Even though this URL notes it is for "Skype" that is not neccassary so.

  1. Sign into the account in question..
  2. If you were not forwarded to the page "Manage how you sign in to Microsoft", try clicking the above link again.
  3. In the section "Account alias", click "Add email" and add the new e-mail address as prompted.
    1. Click the dot/circle next to "Add an existing email addressas a Microsoft account alias"
    2. Enter the desired e-mail address and click "Add alias".
  4. Next to the new e-mail address, click on the "Verify" link. This will prompt Microsoft to e-mail you a code and will forward you to a page to enter the code. If you copy and paste the code, you must remove any trailing space that may appear.
  5. Next to the new e-mail address, click on the "Make Primary" link.
  6. Assuming the new address is now the Primary address, next to the old e-mail address, click "Remove".
  7. You will be prompted to confirm the remove, click "Remove".
  8. If returned to a login prompt, do so.
  9. You should be returned to the "Manage how you sign in to Microsoft" page.
  10. Verify the information.

Return to Knowledge Base (KB) home | Top

Revised 2023-11-29 1855


2023-11-29 2332