You can delete your Xbox account through the Microsoft account settings page, but the process takes time and has consequences you should understand first

Deleting an Xbox account is permanent and cannot be undone. Microsoft will close your account, remove your gamertag, delete your game library, and erase your saved games and achievements. Before you start, understand that you lose access to any games you bought digitally, any Game Pass subscription time remaining, and any balance in your Microsoft account wallet. If you share your Xbox with family members, they will lose access to games you purchased on that console.

The deletion happens through your Microsoft account settings, not through the Xbox console itself. You need to go to the account.microsoft.com website, sign in, and request the deletion from there. Microsoft then takes up to 30 days to fully remove the account from their servers, though your gamertag becomes unavailable immediately.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting your Xbox account is permanent and removes all games, saves, achievements, and any money in your Microsoft wallet.
  • You must request deletion through account.microsoft.com, not from your Xbox console or the Xbox app.
  • Your gamertag becomes unavailable right away, but the full account deletion takes up to 30 days.
  • If you share your Xbox with family members, they will lose access to any games you purchased, so download them to the console first if you want them to keep playing.
  • You cannot recover a deleted account or restore your games, so make sure this is what you want before you start.

How to delete your account through Microsoft's website

Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with your Xbox account credentials. Once you are logged in, look for "Your info" or "Account" in the left menu and select it. Scroll down until you find the option that says "Delete account or data" — the exact wording changes sometimes, but it will be in the account settings area.

Click on that option and Microsoft will show you a list of what will be deleted: your profile, your games, your achievements, your saved games, and any balance in your account. Read through this list carefully. If you have money in your Microsoft wallet, you cannot delete the account until that balance is zero, so you may need to spend it or contact support to have it removed.

After you confirm what will be deleted, Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity. You may need to enter a code sent to your email address or phone number, or answer security questions you set up when you created the account. Once you verify, the deletion request is submitted and your gamertag is retired immediately.

What happens to your games and saves

Any game you purchased digitally through the Xbox Store is tied to your account. When you delete the account, you lose the license to play those games, even if they are installed on your console. If someone else uses that console, they will no longer be able to play games you bought unless they have their own copy or their own account with a license.

If you want family members to keep playing games you purchased, you have two options. First, you can change the console's "home Xbox" setting to that console before you delete your account — this lets other users on that console play your games even after you are gone. Second, you can ask them to download the games to the console while your account is still active, though they still need a license to play them. Check your console's settings under "Users and accounts" to see how to set a home Xbox.

Cloud saves and achievements cannot be transferred to another account. If you want a record of your gaming history, take screenshots of your achievements page or your profile before you delete the account.

Alternatives to full deletion

If you want to stop using Xbox but do not want to lose your games and saves, you have other options. You can simply stop signing in and let the account sit inactive — Microsoft does not delete inactive accounts. Your games and saves stay on your account forever, and you can return to them at any time.

You can also change your gamertag if you do not like the one you have. This costs a small amount of money the first time, but it lets you keep your account, your games, and your saves while getting a fresh identity. Go to account.microsoft.com, find "Your info," and look for "Manage your Microsoft account" or "Edit profile" to change your gamertag.

If you want to stop playing on a specific console, you can remove your account from that device without deleting it. Go to the console's settings, find "Users and accounts," select your account, and choose "Remove." Your account stays active on Microsoft's servers and you can sign in on a different console anytime.

What to do before you delete

Before you submit a deletion request, make a list of any games you own that you might want to play again. Check your purchase history on account.microsoft.com under "Your info" or "Purchases" to see what you bought. If any of those games are important to you, think about whether you really want to lose access to them.

Check whether you have an active Game Pass subscription. If you do, the remaining time on that subscription will be lost when you delete the account. If you have months left, you might want to let the subscription expire naturally before you delete, or contact Microsoft support to see if they can refund the unused time.

If you have a balance in your Microsoft wallet, spend it or contact support. You cannot delete your account with money still in it. You can use the balance to buy games, in-game currency, or subscriptions, or you can ask support to remove it.

Tell anyone who shares your console that you are deleting your account. They should download any games you purchased that they want to keep playing, and you should set the console as your home Xbox if you want them to have access after you are gone.

The 30-day waiting period

After you request deletion, Microsoft takes up to 30 days to fully remove your account from their servers. During this time, your gamertag is retired and no one else can use it. Your profile is no longer visible to other players, and you cannot sign in to your account.

If you change your mind during this 30-day window, you can contact Microsoft support and ask them to cancel the deletion request. They may be able to restore your account if you reach out before the 30 days are up. After 30 days, the deletion is final and cannot be reversed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Xbox account without deleting my Microsoft account?

No. Your Xbox account is part of your Microsoft account. Deleting one deletes the other. If you want to keep using Microsoft services like Outlook or OneDrive, you cannot delete your Xbox account — you would have to delete your entire Microsoft account, which would remove access to all of those services too.

Will deleting my account remove it from my console?

Yes. Once the deletion is complete, your account will no longer appear on any Xbox console where you signed in. If you want to remove your account from just one console without deleting it entirely, go to that console's settings, find "Users and accounts," select your account, and choose "Remove."

What if I have Game Pass Ultimate?

Game Pass Ultimate will be cancelled when you delete your account, and you will lose any remaining time on the subscription. If you have months left, contact Microsoft support before you delete to see if they can help. After deletion, you cannot recover the unused time.

Can someone else use my gamertag after I delete my account?

No. When you delete your account, your gamertag is retired permanently. No one else can use that exact gamertag, even after the 30-day waiting period ends. This is to prevent impersonation and protect your gaming history.

What happens to my friends list and messages?

Your friends will see that your account no longer exists. They cannot message you or see your profile. Any messages you sent them stay in their inbox, but they will show as coming from a deleted account with no profile to view.