Twitter allow a family member to request the deactivation of the profile when a person dies, at Google (for Gmail and other products) it is possible to configure what happens with the account. Microsoft e-mail works with a rule of inactivity for time: understand how the deceased’s Outlook account is deactivated.
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Outlook login screen (Image: Playback / Microsoft)
How can I disable a deceased person’s Outlook account?
In fact, it is not possible to request the deactivation of an Outlook account. Microsoft explains that this turns out to be an automatic process: if the account is inactive, unused for two years , it will be closed automatically.
Thus, the need to contact the company is ruled out. However, it is necessary to pay attention to some points:
Before the full two-year shutdown, Outlook and OneDrive products are frozen after a year of inactivity and all email messages and files in the cloud are then deleted – the Microsoft Account remains active for another year, but the content is erased.
On the other hand, if another person is still using this email, either on the cell phone or on the computer, the two-year period will never be reached and the account will not be deleted.
Microsoft says that if someone else has the deceased’s access credentials (login and password), they can delete the account themselves .
I don’t have the login and password, can I request the account details?
No. For privacy reasons, Microsoft does not provide any Outlook account data to other people, regardless of whether they are a direct family member or not. Check the company’s positioning:
We understand that this can be a difficult time for anyone looking to access their loved ones’ emails or storage accounts. However, for privacy and other legal reasons, it is not possible to provide information about any of the accounts in question.
However, it is still possible to appeal to a court order to request the release of information from a person who has died or is unable to manage the account, if necessary.
Microsoft will respond only to non-criminal subpoenas and court orders forwarded to a Microsoft registered agent in the region or state of the requesting party and will not be able to respond to requests sent by email or fax regarding such matters.
What if there is a subscription with recurring charges?
Microsoft (Outlook) accounts are also used for service subscriptions, such as Office 365. For these cases, Microsoft suggests the person responsible to inform the bank or financial institution, whether canceling the credit card or closing the debit accounts, for stop charging.
