How to cancel your Microsoft subscription

You can cancel most Microsoft subscriptions through your account settings online, and the process takes about five minutes. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you have Microsoft 365, Game Pass, OneDrive, or another service, but all cancellations happen in the same place: your Microsoft account page. You will need your Microsoft account password to log in.

Microsoft does not charge a cancellation fee, but your access ends immediately after you confirm. If you paid for a full year upfront, you cannot get a refund for the unused portion unless you cancel within 60 days of purchase — this window is the only time a refund is possible. After 60 days, the subscription runs until its renewal date, then stops.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancel any Microsoft subscription by logging into your account, finding the subscription in your settings, and selecting the cancel option — no phone call or email needed.
  • Your access stops immediately when you cancel, even if you paid for the full month or year.
  • You can only get a refund if you cancel within 60 days of your purchase date; after that, the subscription runs until renewal.
  • If you want to pause instead of cancel, Microsoft 365 and Game Pass both offer a suspend option that holds your subscription for up to three months.
  • Cancelling does not delete your files, emails, or account — it only removes your access to the paid features.

Steps to cancel through your Microsoft account

Log into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com using your email and password. Once you are in, look for "Subscriptions" in the left menu — this is where all your active services appear, whether they renew monthly or yearly.

Click on the subscription you want to cancel. A details page will open showing your renewal date, payment method, and price. Look for a button or link that says "Manage subscription" or "Cancel subscription" — the exact wording varies by service. Click it, then follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation. Microsoft will ask why you are cancelling, but this question is optional and does not affect whether your cancellation goes through.

You will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. Keep this email as proof that you cancelled, especially if you are within the 60-day refund window. Your subscription will not renew on the next billing date.

What happens to your data and files after cancellation

Cancelling a Microsoft subscription does not delete your files, emails, photos, or account. Your OneDrive files stay in your account for 93 days after cancellation — you can still view them, but you cannot add new files or edit existing ones if you no longer have storage space. After 93 days, Microsoft deletes the files permanently.

If you use Outlook email, your inbox and contacts remain accessible, but you lose features like advanced search and custom domains. Your Microsoft account itself stays active, so you can log into Windows, Xbox, or other Microsoft services that use the same login. You simply lose the paid features of the subscription you cancelled.

Refunds and the 60-day window

Microsoft refunds subscriptions only if you cancel within 60 days of your original purchase date. This applies whether you paid monthly or yearly. To check your purchase date, log into your account and look at the subscription details page — it shows when you first bought or renewed the service.

If you are within the 60-day window, cancellation automatically triggers a refund to your original payment method. The refund takes 3 to 5 business days to appear, depending on your bank or credit card company. If you are past 60 days, you cannot get a refund, but your subscription will simply stop renewing after the current billing period ends.

Suspending instead of cancelling

If you are not sure whether you want to cancel permanently, Microsoft 365 and Game Pass both offer a suspend option. Suspending pauses your subscription for up to three months without cancelling it. Your files and settings stay exactly as they are, and you do not pay during the suspension period.

To suspend, go to your subscription details page and look for "Suspend subscription" or "Pause subscription" — this option appears on the same page where you would cancel. When the suspension period ends, your subscription automatically resumes and billing restarts. This is useful if you need a break but think you might return to the service later.

Cancelling Microsoft 365 Family or shared plans

If you own a Microsoft 365 Family plan that other people use, cancelling affects everyone on that plan immediately. They will lose access to all Microsoft 365 features, though their files remain in their OneDrive accounts. If you want to remove only one person from a Family plan without cancelling the whole subscription, you can do that instead by going to your account settings and removing them from the group.

If you are a member of someone else's Family plan and want to leave, you cannot cancel the plan yourself — only the owner can do that. Instead, ask the owner to remove you from the group. Once removed, you lose access to the shared benefits but keep your personal Microsoft account and files.

What to do if you cannot find the cancel button

Some subscriptions, particularly older ones or those purchased through a third party, may not show a cancel option in your account settings. If you cannot find the subscription listed, it may be managed through a different account or through the retailer where you bought it. Check your email receipts to see where the subscription was purchased.

If you bought the subscription through the Microsoft Store, Xbox, or another Microsoft app, the cancel button may be in that app instead of on the main account page. For Xbox Game Pass, for example, you cancel through your Xbox settings rather than account.microsoft.com. If you still cannot locate it, you can contact Microsoft support through their website and provide your order number — they can cancel it for you and process any refunds you are owed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my money back if I cancel after 60 days?

No. Microsoft only refunds subscriptions cancelled within 60 days of purchase. After that, your subscription runs until the next renewal date, then stops without charging you again. Check your purchase date in your account settings to confirm whether you are still in the refund window.

Will I lose my files if I cancel OneDrive?

Your files stay in your OneDrive for 93 days after cancellation. You can view them but cannot add or edit files. After 93 days, Microsoft deletes them permanently. If you want to keep your files, download them before you cancel.

What if I cancel by mistake?

If you cancelled within the last 60 days, you can reactivate your subscription through your account settings — look for "Reactivate subscription" on the subscription details page. If you are past 60 days, you will need to purchase the subscription again as a new order.

Do I have to call Microsoft to cancel?

No. You can cancel entirely online through your account settings without calling or emailing. The cancel button is on your subscription details page. If you cannot find it or have trouble cancelling, you can contact support, but a phone call is not required.

Can I cancel just one app in Microsoft 365, or do I have to cancel the whole subscription?

You cannot cancel individual apps. Microsoft 365 is a bundle, so cancelling the subscription removes access to all apps. If you want to use only some Microsoft services, you may be able to downgrade to a different plan or use free versions of individual apps instead.