Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
It's easy to close a Windows Live account, including Hotmail. I'll show you the steps, but then ask: why bother closing the account?
I need to close my Hotmail account. I'm getting too much spam and besides, I think it's been hacked. I just want to close it and stop it from bothering anyone anymore. How do I do that?
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I'd actually suggest that you reconsider closing your account.
If your account has been hacked, it's quite possible that the hacker will just access it and stop the closure anyway.
And even if not and people are getting spam from your account, it's not likely that closing it will help at all.
That being said, if you still want to close it, I'll walk you through the steps; it's not really that hard.
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I do have to let you know that you must be able to login to your account. If you cannot, see "Next Steps", below, for more options.
Once you do login, click the Options link:
Click the More Options item:
On the resulting page, click View and edit your personal information:
Near the bottom of the resulting page, you'll find the link that you were looking for:
NOTE: This is a link to close your Windows Live account. That means if you use this account for any other Windows Live services, such as Windows Live Messenger, that will also be closed.
Your Windows Live Hotmail is really just one feature of your entire Windows Live account. As far as I know, there's no way to cancel just the Hotmail portion without cancelling the entire account.
And I'll reiterate what I've said both above and elsewhere: why bother closing it at all? Just stop logging into it. Don't look at it, don't read it, don't send from it, and it's just as good as being closed. Closing the account doesn't do much more than that.
Not only that, but if you do close the account, then after some period of time, your email address will become available. Someday, someone may be able to create a new account with the email address that used to be yours.
(This is an update to an article originally published January 21, 2009.)
Article C3629 - September 14, 2011 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
October 1, 2009 2:14 PM
Today I opened an account at [email address removed] and immediately changed my mind about having the account open. I followed the instructions about closing the account but it is still recognizing me; and I unchecked the box that said remember me. I have identity theft issues and am concerned because of the sharing factors and in fact, tried opening this account because I am having trouble receiving and sending with my yahoo account at the same address, riverockhill.
October 13, 2009 11:09 AM
Hi...I'm trying to close my windows live hotmail account and CAN'T!!! Help please!! I have followed your instructions and to no avail!! I get the message that i have a microsoft email account? I don't!! has my email been hacked?
Should i just not log in at this point? Thanks for any help you can send my way.
October 26, 2009 5:39 AM
I just got an email from the "Windows Live Hotmail Team" last Friday stating that they were shutting down some accounts and mine was on that list. Now my friends are getting an email saying to please send $1500 right away to my sick cousin in England...I don't have any relatives in England...I have always trusted Hotmail but not anymore, nor ever again. My advice: STOP USING HOTMAIL IMMEDIATELY!
26-Oct-2009
October 31, 2009 5:35 PM
Your steps dont work - clearly msn is trying to force people not to close their account - first they hide the close account option then when you actually find it is sends you on a loop saying you cant close live id until hotmail is closed, but hotmail says cant close until some other non existed billed accounts are closed - and NOWHERE is there any support from MSN to close your account - even if you pull up the close account help screen they have left mail off the options. MSN is scamming like all the other disreputable web crooks - greed over morals
01-Nov-2009
November 1, 2009 10:10 AM
01-Nov-2009
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