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How do I delete my GMail account?

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Summary: Gmail or Google Mail accounts can be quickly and easily deleted; we'll walk through the steps. Just remember: it's permanent.

How do I delete my GMail account?

Actually, if you look this up on GMail's own on-line help system you'll find pretty clear instructions.

Here's how you do it, though, with pictures.

Naturally you must be logged into your GMail account in order to be able to delete it. If you can't login you can't delete the account; it's that simple. This prevents just anyone from deleting your account.

"... there's no 'undo': once you delete your email account it's gone forever and cannot be restored."

Click on the Settings link at the top of the GMail page:

GMail Settings Link

Then click on the Accounts tab:

Gmail Settings, Accounts Tab

Part way down the resulting page in the section labeled Google Account settings, click on the link labeled Google Account settings:

Google Account settings link

On the resulting page is a column listing all the services that are available to your account. Click on the Edit link at the top of that list:

Google Account Settings Edit Link

The resulting page lists your options:

Google Delete a Service Page

Click on the link that matches what you're attempting to do.

Remember that GMail is just one service associated with your account. Even though your account may be associated with a GMail email name, that same account may be used for many other Google services not related to email.

Also be aware that if you cancel your GMail account, those other Google services may no longer be able to send you email until you establish a new email address with them. The same is true, actually, for any service, company or contact when you delete an email address - they'll need to know your new one in order to contact you.

And finally, let's be clear: there's no "undo": once you delete your email account it's gone forever and cannot be restored. That includes all the email messages sent and received and your contacts as well. If there's anything you want to keep, be sure to back it up first.

Related:

More articles about: GMail

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Article 12326 | Posted April 2, 2008

Recent Comments

Hi Leo -- just a quick question, not really related to the article ... just *how* do you do those wonderful "ripped-off" effects for your screenshots?!? :-)

Posted by: Dave Hartley at April 8, 2008 02:31 PM

i strongly agree with Dave...want to know what software or technique you use..to get such nice screen grab effects....

Posted by: Nitesh at April 17, 2008 04:03 AM

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I use a screen-capture product called "Snag It" which has
those effects built in.
http://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.asp

Leo


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Posted by: Leo A. Notenboom at April 19, 2008 10:38 AM

i want to delete my gmail account and i have follow the instruction that you told me to do and it doesn't work and i really don't want this account so please help me!

Posted by: sophie at May 23, 2008 03:36 PM

Hi Leo,
I now have created four gmail accounts but need only two. One for business and one for family.

These are all email accounts.

I'd like to get rid of two of the email addresses.
I've never used them and don't want them. (the wording doesn't look right)
should I delete them or let them stagnate?
Can I delete one email address and keep the other or does this remove all addresses and any ability to have gmail again ever ? Thanks, Curious in California

Posted by: mike cady at July 1, 2008 07:17 PM

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