How to Delete a Microsoft OneDrive Account Permanently: Easy Guide
Microsoft OneDrive is one of the widely used cloud storage. It offers users the convenience of seamlessly storing files and accessing them from any remote location. It is a powerful tool for personal and professional use, providing features that enhance collaboration, data management, and work productivity. OneDrive integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, and Outlook, making it a necessary part of the Microsoft 365 productivity suite. There can be several reasons for deleting a Microsoft OneDrive account permanently. Users want to switch to other cloud storage providers, maybe they have multiple accounts and want to delete one. We have to find out how to delete the Microsoft OneDrive account permanently.
Microsoft is a collaboration platform integrated with several apps. In case you delete the OneDrive account you have to delete the Microsoft account associated with it. If you are using any app with that account, you will not be able to access it once it gets deleted. This article will cover all the important points and steps to delete a Microsoft OneDrive account permanently.
Table of Content
Points to Consider Before Deleting a Microsoft OneDrive Account
- Save the content of the apps, you used within that account.
- Make sure the people you are collaborating with are aware of that, you are closing an account. So they should download the files you shared with them.
- Cancel the subscription plan for that account immediately to avoid financial loss.
- Download your files on the local device or upload them to another account.
- You can recover your account before the 60 days. After 60 days your account will be permanently deleted.
Steps to Delete a Microsoft OneDrive Account Permanently
- Sign in to your OneDrive account using https://onedrive.live.com/login/.
- Go to OneDrive settings. Click on the security tab. Under the security tab navigate to “more security options” and click on it.
- Verify your identity using your email and phone number. Microsoft makes sure that you are deleting your account to prevent unauthorized access.
- After successful verification, navigate to the “Close your Account” section and click on “Close”
- Review your information and get to know what will happen to your account after closing the account.
- Click on the “Checkbox” and click on Next.
- Re-enter your password and your deletion request will be processed.
We have seen the process of deleting a Microsoft OneDrive account. But before deleting an account it’s important to keep the necessary data for future use.
Download and Upload Microsoft OneDrive Files Manually
- Open a browser and sign in using https://onedrive.live.com/login/ to your OneDrive account.
- Select the files you want to download and click on the download option from the above menu.
- Once the files get downloaded to the local computer, upload them to another OneDrive account manually.
Also Read: Office 365 Tenant Restrictions
Drawbacks of the Manual Method
- Require a stable internet connection and uninterrupted power supply.
- Time-consuming as the transfer of large data can take time of several days or weeks.
- Make sure there is enough storage on your local device to download the OneDrive files.
- You have to download and upload each file manually. Any disruptions can cause data loss.
Note
Saving your critical data to local devices is not a good approach because, if the hard drive corrupts you will lose all your critical data. We can use the download and upload method but it takes time and increases complexity in case of large data size. In the case of large data, it can take days or even weeks to upload and download, and also has several drawbacks. In case of data migration, we recommend you use a Migrator Wizard OneDrive Migration software.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed account deletion in Microsoft OneDrive, and important points to remember before deletion. We have seen two methods manual methods and an automated way to migrate the OneDrive data. The manual method is very complex and time-consuming while having several drawbacks. In the case of large data migration, this method is not feasible. So, for complex migration processes, you can use the above automated and secure software.
FAQs
1. How do I cancel my OneDrive subscription?
You can cancel your OneDrive by following the below steps:
- Open the Outlook web app and sign in to your account using your credentials.
- Click on your profile and select settings and under account click on “Manage Billing”.
- Click on cancel subscription from the subscription option.
- Follow the on-screen steps to complete the cancellation process.
2. How to permanently stop OneDrive from syncing?
- Open OneDrive, and navigate to settings or preferences.
- Click on settings and go to the Account tab and choose “Unlink this PC”.
3. How do I know if my OneDrive account deletion is successful?
After the recovery or waiting period is over, you will no longer be able to access your Microsoft and the services associated with it, and all data in OneDrive will be deleted. You will be notified by Microsoft when the process for closing your account is initiated.
4. If I delete my OneDrive account will it affect other Microsoft services?
Yes, when you delete your OneDrive account, you have to delete your entire Microsoft account. So, you will not be able to access any Microsoft services. You have to delete the entire Microsoft account, cannot just delete the OneDrive account.
5. Is it possible to recover my OneDrive data after deleting my account?
No, you cannot recover your data after the recovery period is over and account deletion is complete. After that, the data is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered