How to Deactivate OneDrive Account

OneDrive is a cloud storage service provided by Microsoft that allows users to store files online and access them from anywhere. It is integrated with Windows 10 and comes with 5GB of free storage, but users can purchase additional storage if needed. Sometimes users may want to deactivate their OneDrive account for various reasons, such as they no longer need the service, they want to switch to a different cloud storage provider, or they want to delete all of their files from OneDrive.

Deactivating a OneDrive account is a simple process, but it is important to note that once an account is deactivated, all of the files stored in OneDrive will be deleted and cannot be recovered. Therefore, it is important to make sure that all of the files that need to be kept are downloaded from OneDrive before deactivating the account.

The following steps will guide you through the process of deactivating your OneDrive account:

How to Deactivate OneDrive Account

Follow these steps to deactivate your OneDrive account:

• Sign in to OneDrive.
• Click the Settings icon.
• Select "Options".
• Click "Close your OneDrive account".
• Enter your password.
• Click "Close account".
• Your OneDrive account will be deactivated.
• All files in OneDrive will be deleted.
• Files can be downloaded before deactivation.
• Deactivation is a permanent process.

Note: Deactivating a OneDrive account is a permanent process and cannot be undone. Make sure to download any important files from OneDrive before deactivating the account.

Sign in to OneDrive.

To deactivate your OneDrive account, you must first sign in to your account. There are two ways to do this:

1. Through the Microsoft website:

1. Go to the OneDrive website (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/online-cloud-storage).
2. Click on the "Sign in" button in the top-right corner of the page.
3. Enter your Microsoft account email address and password.
4. Click on the "Sign in" button.

1. Through the OneDrive desktop app:

1. Make sure that you have the OneDrive desktop app installed on your computer.
2. Click on the OneDrive icon in the taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
3. A pop-up window will appear. If you are already signed in to your OneDrive account, your account details will be displayed. If you are not signed in, click on the "Sign in" button.
4. Enter your Microsoft account email address and password.
5. Click on the "Sign in" button.

Note: If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can also sign in to OneDrive using your work or school account.

Once you have successfully signed in to your OneDrive account, you can proceed to the next step of deactivating your account.

Click the Settings icon.

Once you have signed in to your OneDrive account, you need to click on the Settings icon to access the account settings page.

The location of the Settings icon may vary depending on how you are accessing OneDrive.

1. If you are using the OneDrive website:

1. Click on your profile picture or initials in the top-right corner of the page.
2. A drop-down menu will appear.
3. Click on the "Settings" option.

2. If you are using the OneDrive desktop app:

1. Click on the OneDrive icon in the taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
2. A pop-up window will appear.
3. Click on the "Settings" icon in the top-right corner of the pop-up window.

Note: If you have multiple OneDrive accounts, make sure that you are signed in to the account that you want to deactivate before clicking on the Settings icon.

Once you have clicked on the Settings icon, the OneDrive account settings page will open. This is where you can manage various settings related to your OneDrive account, including deactivating your account.

Select "Options".

On the OneDrive account settings page, you should see a list of options in the left-hand panel. One of the options is "Options". Click on this option to open the "Options" page.

• General:
  

  This section contains general settings related to your OneDrive account, such as your language and region, and whether or not you want to receive email notifications from OneDrive.

• Sync:
  

  This section contains settings related to how OneDrive syncs files between your computer and the cloud. You can choose which folders to sync, and whether or not to sync files automatically.

• Sharing:
  

  This section contains settings related to how you share files and folders with others. You can choose whether or not to allow others to edit your files, and you can set expiration dates for shared links.

• Backup:
  

  This section contains settings related to OneDrive's backup feature. You can choose which folders to back up, and how often you want backups to be performed.

Once you have selected the "Options" page, you will see a button labeled "Close your OneDrive account" at the bottom of the page. Click on this button to proceed to the next step of deactivating your OneDrive account.

Click "Close your OneDrive account".

Once you have clicked on the "Close your OneDrive account" button, a pop-up window will appear. This window contains important information about what will happen when you close your OneDrive account, including:

• All of the files and folders in your OneDrive account will be permanently deleted.
  

  This includes any files and folders that you have shared with others.

• You will lose access to any files and folders that others have shared with you.
  

  If you want to keep these files, you should download them before closing your OneDrive account.

• Your OneDrive account will be closed permanently.
  

  You will not be able to reactivate your account or recover any of the files that you have deleted.

If you are sure that you want to close your OneDrive account, click on the "Close account" button at the bottom of the pop-up window. Your OneDrive account will then be deactivated and all of the files and folders in your account will be deleted.

Note: Deactivating a OneDrive account is a permanent process and cannot be undone. Make sure that you download any important files from OneDrive before deactivating your account.

Enter your password.

After you have clicked on the "Close account" button, you will be prompted to enter your OneDrive account password. This is to verify that you are the account owner and that you are authorized to close the account.

• Type your OneDrive account password into the password field.
  

  Make sure that you enter your password carefully, as you will not be able to proceed if you enter the wrong password.

• Click on the "Close account" button again.
  

  Once you have entered your password correctly, click on the "Close account" button again to confirm that you want to close your OneDrive account.

Your OneDrive account will then be deactivated and all of the files and folders in your account will be deleted. You will receive a confirmation email from Microsoft stating that your account has been closed.

Note: Deactivating a OneDrive account is a permanent process and cannot be undone. Make sure that you download any important files from OneDrive before deactivating your account.

Click "Close account".

Once you have entered your OneDrive account password and clicked on the "Close account" button again, your OneDrive account will be permanently deactivated. All of the files and folders in your account will be deleted, and you will lose access to any files and folders that others have shared with you.

You will receive a confirmation email from Microsoft stating that your account has been closed. This email will also contain a link that you can use to reactivate your account within 30 days, if you change your mind.

Note: After 30 days, your OneDrive account will be permanently deleted and you will not be able to reactivate it or recover any of the files that you have deleted.

Therefore, it is important to make sure that you download any important files from OneDrive before deactivating your account. You can also use the OneDrive desktop app to back up your files to your computer.

Your OneDrive account will be deactivated.

Once you have clicked on the "Close account" button and confirmed your password, your OneDrive account will be immediately deactivated. This means that you will no longer be able to access your OneDrive files, folders, or settings.

All of the files and folders in your OneDrive account will be permanently deleted. This includes any files and folders that you have shared with others, as well as any files and folders that others have shared with you.

You will also lose access to any OneDrive apps and services that you were using. For example, you will no longer be able to use the OneDrive desktop app, the OneDrive mobile app, or the OneDrive website.

Note: Deactivating a OneDrive account is a permanent process and cannot be undone. Make sure that you download any important files from OneDrive before deactivating your account.

All files in OneDrive will be deleted.

When you deactivate your OneDrive account, all of the files and folders in your account will be permanently deleted. This includes any files and folders that you have shared with others, as well as any files and folders that others have shared with you.

• There is no way to recover deleted files from a deactivated OneDrive account.
  

  Therefore, it is important to make sure that you download any important files from OneDrive before deactivating your account.

• You can use the OneDrive desktop app to back up your files to your computer.
  

  This is the most reliable way to ensure that you do not lose any important files.

• You can also use the OneDrive website to download your files.
  

  To do this, simply sign in to your OneDrive account, select the files that you want to download, and then click on the "Download" button.

• Once you have downloaded your files, you can deactivate your OneDrive account without worry.
  

  Your files will be safe and accessible on your computer.

Note: Deactivating a OneDrive account is a permanent process and cannot be undone. Make sure that you download any important files from OneDrive before deactivating your account.

Files can be downloaded before deactivation.

Before you deactivate your OneDrive account, it is important to download any files that you want to keep. Once your account is deactivated, all of the files in your account will be permanently deleted and you will not be able to recover them.

There are two ways to download your files from OneDrive:

1. Using the OneDrive desktop app:

1. Make sure that you have the OneDrive desktop app installed on your computer.
2. Sign in to your OneDrive account in the OneDrive desktop app.
3. Select the files or folders that you want to download.
4. Click on the "Download" button in the top-right corner of the OneDrive desktop app.
5. Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the downloaded files.
6. Click on the "OK" button.

1. Using the OneDrive website:

1. Sign in to your OneDrive account on the OneDrive website (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/online-cloud-storage).
2. Select the files or folders that you want to download.
3. Click on the "Download" button in the top-right corner of the OneDrive website.
4. Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the downloaded files.
5. Click on the "Save" button.

Once you have downloaded the files that you want to keep, you can deactivate your OneDrive account without worry. Your downloaded files will be safe and accessible on your computer.

Deactivation is a permanent process.

Once you deactivate your OneDrive account, it cannot be reactivated. All of the files and folders in your account will be permanently deleted and you will lose access to any files and folders that others have shared with you.

Therefore, it is important to make sure that you download any important files from OneDrive before deactivating your account. You can also use the OneDrive desktop app to back up your files to your computer.

If you change your mind after deactivating your OneDrive account, you can contact Microsoft support to see if they can help you recover your account. However, there is no guarantee that they will be able to do so.

Here are some things to keep in mind about deactivating a OneDrive account:

• You will lose access to all of your OneDrive files and folders.
  

  This includes any files and folders that you have shared with others, as well as any files and folders that others have shared with you.

• You will lose access to any OneDrive apps and services that you were using.
  

  For example, you will no longer be able to use the OneDrive desktop app, the OneDrive mobile app, or the OneDrive website.

• You will not be able to reactivate your OneDrive account once it has been deactivated.
  

  If you change your mind, you will need to create a new OneDrive account.

Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the implications of deactivating your OneDrive account before you proceed.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about deactivating a OneDrive account:

Question 1: What happens when I deactivate my OneDrive account?

Answer: When you deactivate your OneDrive account, all of the files and folders in your account will be permanently deleted. You will also lose access to any OneDrive apps and services that you were using.

Question 2: Can I reactivate my OneDrive account after I deactivate it?

Answer: No, deactivation is a permanent process. Once you deactivate your OneDrive account, it cannot be reactivated.

Question 3: How can I download my files from OneDrive before deactivating my account?

Answer: You can download your files from OneDrive using the OneDrive desktop app or the OneDrive website. For detailed instructions, please refer to the section of this article titled "Files can be downloaded before deactivation".

Question 4: What happens to the files that others have shared with me?

Answer: When you deactivate your OneDrive account, you will lose access to all of the files that others have shared with you. If you want to keep these files, you should download them before deactivating your account.

Question 5: What happens to the files that I have shared with others?

Answer: When you deactivate your OneDrive account, the files that you have shared with others will be removed from their OneDrive accounts. If you want others to still have access to these files, you should transfer ownership of the files to them before deactivating your account.

Question 6: Can I get help from Microsoft to recover my deactivated OneDrive account?

Answer: You can contact Microsoft support to see if they can help you recover your deactivated OneDrive account. However, there is no guarantee that they will be able to do so.

Closing Paragraph for FAQ:

If you have any other questions about deactivating a OneDrive account, please consult the Microsoft OneDrive support website or contact Microsoft support directly.

Transition paragraph:

In addition to the information provided in the FAQ section, here are some additional tips for deactivating your OneDrive account:

Tips

Here are some practical tips for deactivating your OneDrive account:

Tip 1: Download your files before deactivating your account.

This is the most important step, as you will not be able to access your files once your account is deactivated. You can download your files using the OneDrive desktop app or the OneDrive website. For detailed instructions, please refer to the section of this article titled "Files can be downloaded before deactivation".

Tip 2: Transfer ownership of your shared files.

If you have shared files with others and you want them to still have access to those files, you should transfer ownership of the files to them before deactivating your account. This will ensure that they can still access and edit the files even after your account is deactivated.

Tip 3: Contact Microsoft support if you need help.

If you have any questions or problems while deactivating your OneDrive account, you can contact Microsoft support for assistance. They may be able to help you recover your account if you change your mind, or they may be able to provide you with additional support during the deactivation process.

Tip 4: Consider using an alternative cloud storage provider.

If you are deactivating your OneDrive account because you are no longer satisfied with the service, you may want to consider using an alternative cloud storage provider. There are many reputable cloud storage providers available, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud. You can compare the features and pricing of different cloud storage providers to find one that best meets your needs.

Closing Paragraph for Tips:

By following these tips, you can ensure that the deactivation of your OneDrive account is smooth and hassle-free.

Transition paragraph:

In conclusion, deactivating a OneDrive account is a permanent process that should not be taken lightly. Before you deactivate your account, make sure that you have downloaded all of your important files and that you have transferred ownership of any shared files that you want others to still have access to.

Conclusion

Deactivating a OneDrive account is a permanent process that should not be taken lightly. Before you proceed, it is important to understand the implications of deactivation and to take the necessary steps to protect your files and data.

Summary of Main Points:

• Once you deactivate your OneDrive account, all of the files and folders in your account will be permanently deleted.
• You will also lose access to any OneDrive apps and services that you were using.
• Deactivation is a permanent process and cannot be undone.
• Before deactivating your account, you should download all of your important files and transfer ownership of any shared files that you want others to still have access to.
• If you have any questions or problems while deactivating your OneDrive account, you can contact Microsoft support for assistance.

Closing Message:

If you are sure that you want to deactivate your OneDrive account, please follow the steps outlined in this article carefully. By doing so, you can ensure that the deactivation process is smooth and hassle-free.

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