How to delete your Skype account?

Skype remains a tenured player in communication software. However, given that numerous apps now include voice and video call features, deleting your account could be a wise move if you no longer utilize it. Furthermore, considering the growing concerns about government surveillance and privacy, it's also advisable to clear out your Skype account if left inactive for a prolonged time. This article will guide you how to delete Skype account.

How to permanently delete Skype?

Since Skype's acquisition by Microsoft, shutting down your Skype account needs to delete your complete Microsoft account. However, note that Microsoft's Community Team have confirmed a 60-day waiting period before permanently erasing your account. This procedural delay is set to offer you an opportunity to reconsider, or retrieve any necessary information before your account gets permanently removed.

How to delete Skype account on desktop?

To permanently delete your Skype account, follow these steps:

1. Open your Skype application on your Desktop.

2. Click on your Skype name in the top left corner and select "Settings" from the drop-down menu.

3. In the right-side panel, scroll down and select "Close your account."

4. To confirm your account, re-enter your email and password.

Note: Remember, this process will completely close your Microsoft account. You might need to settle any other related accounts before you proceed. When you're certain you want to continue, click "Next."

5. Go through every item in the checklist, pick your reason for closing the account, and select "Mark account for closure."

6. Finally, a 60-day waiting period starts. After this period, your Skype account along with the rest of your Microsoft account will be permanently deleted.

How to delete Skype account on mobile devices?

The process of deleting a Skype account from your mobile device mirrors the one on the desktop. There's just one slight difference. After choosing "Close your account" in the third step, Skype will automatically redirect you to your browser to proceed with the deletion process. Here, you'll need to re-enter your account login details and follow the same steps as you do on the desktop.

The process outlined above is most straightforward if your Microsoft account is solely linked to Skype. However, if you have other linked services such as Outlook, it may not be ideal to delete your entire Microsoft account. Instead, you can take steps to minimize the information stored on your Skype account, including messages, conversation history, and subscription details. Let's explore how to remove such data.

How to delete Skype messages？

For messages containing sensitive information, we recommend deleting them to prevent potential data exposure from password leaks, device changes, or prolonged periods of inactivity.

Erasing a specific message is as simple as this:

On a desktop:

1. Choose the specific conversation. Locate the message you wish to erase. Right click the message and you’ll see a dropdown menu.

2. Click on "Remove" from the dropdown menu, and the message will be deleted.

On a mobile device:

1. Open the "Chats" tab and tap on the conversation that has the message you want to delete.

2. Find the message within the conversation and press and hold on it. After a few seconds, a menu will pop up.

3. Select "Remove" from the pop-up menu. Your message will be deleted.

How to delete Skype conversations？

Please note that when you delete conversations, it only erases the chat history on your device. The other participant in the conversation will still retain a copy of all chats.

On desktop:

1. To delete a conversation, locate the chat you want to remove, right-click on it to bring up a drop-down menu and select 'Delete conversation'. This action will erase the chat.

On mobile:

1. Locate the chat you want to remove under the "Chats" tab, and press and hold on it to bring up a pop-up menu. By selecting "Delete conversation" from this menu, you'll successfully erase this conversation.

How to cancel Skype subscription？

If you have a paid Skype subscription and plan to cease using Skype, it's crucial to cancel this subscription to avoid additional charges. Here's how you can achieve this:

1. Navigate to your Microsoft account and click on "Services & subscriptions" on the header and log in to your account.

2. Locate your Skype subscription, select "Payment & billing," and then click "Cancel."

3. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen to complete the cancellation process. When successfully canceled, you will receive a confirmation email.

In summary, if the prospect of completely removing your Microsoft account doesn't concern you, opting to close Skype is the most efficient and straightforward solution. However, if you're managing multiple platform accounts linked to a single Microsoft account, minimizing your stored private data by organizing and deleting your message history and conversations offers an alternative approach. Importantly, account balance management and subscription cessation are essential steps if you've firmly decided to part ways with Skype. Let these actions be timely and deliberate, showcasing a professional and informed transition.