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Submitted URL: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=2086738
Effective URL: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/microsoft-account-activity-policy-7c0a9fa7-0982-b7c6-fd72-df852b63699f
Submission: On January 11 via manual from CA — Scanned from CA
Effective URL: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/microsoft-account-activity-policy-7c0a9fa7-0982-b7c6-fd72-df852b63699f
Submission: On January 11 via manual from CA — Scanned from CA
Form analysis
3 forms found in the DOMName: searchForm — GET /en-us/Search/results
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<div class="x-screen-reader" aria-live="assertive"></div>
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<li class="c-menu-item" style="overflow-x: visible;"> <span tabindex="-1" style="overflow-x: visible;">No results</span></li>
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GET /en-US/search/results
<form class="searchBoxForm" method="GET" action="/en-US/search/results" autocomplete="off"><input class="searchBoxInput" name="query" type="search" maxlength="100" placeholder="How can we help you?" aria-label="How can we help you?" value=""><input
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Name: smartFeedbackForm — javascript:void(0);
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Text Content
Skip to main content Microsoft Support Support Support * Home * Microsoft 365 * Office * Windows * Surface * Xbox * Deals * More * Buy Microsoft 365 * All Microsoft * GLOBAL * Microsoft 365 * Teams * Windows * Surface * Xbox * Deals * Small Business * Support * Software Software * Windows Apps * OneDrive * Outlook * Skype * OneNote * Microsoft Teams * Microsoft Edge * PCs & Devices PCs & Devices * Computers * Shop Xbox * Accessories * VR & mixed reality * Phones * Entertainment Entertainment * Xbox Game Pass Ultimate * PC Game Pass * Xbox games * PC games * Windows digital games * Movies & TV * Business Business * Microsoft Cloud * Microsoft Security * Dynamics 365 * Microsoft 365 for business * Microsoft Power Platform * Windows 365 * Microsoft Industry * Small Business * Developer & IT Developer & IT * Azure * Developer Center * Documentation * Microsoft Learn * Microsoft Tech Community * Azure Marketplace * AppSource * Visual Studio * Other Other * Microsoft Rewards * Free downloads & security * Education * Virtual workshops and training * Gift cards * Students and parents deals * Licensing * Microsoft Experience Center * View Sitemap Search Search for help * No results Cancel Sign in to your account Sign in Sign in with Microsoft Sign in or create an account. Hello, Select a different account. You have multiple accounts Choose the account you want to sign in with. * Products * Microsoft 365 * Outlook * Microsoft Teams * OneDrive * OneNote * Windows * Microsoft Edge * more ... * Devices * Surface * PC accessories * Mobile * Xbox * PC Gaming * HoloLens * Hardware warranties * What's new * Account & billing * Account * Microsoft Store & billing * Templates * More support * Community forums * Microsoft 365 Admins * Small Business Admins * Developer * Education * Report a support scam MICROSOFT ACCOUNT ACTIVITY POLICY Microsoft account More...Less Published: July 01, 2019 Effective: August 30, 2019 Updated: November 6, 2020 This Microsoft account activity policy describes when Microsoft may close your account due to account inactivity. You may choose to close your Microsoft account at any time on the Microsoft account management website and Microsoft may close your account for other reasons as permitted under the Microsoft Services Agreement (“MSA”). Microsoft account activity policy: Under the MSA, you must use your Microsoft account to keep it “active.” Microsoft reserves the right to close all “inactive” Microsoft accounts. Except as provided below, you must sign in to your Microsoft account at least once in a two-year period to keep your account active. If you don’t sign in during this time, Microsoft will consider your account to be inactive. Any account that has been locked for more than two years will also be considered "inactive" and will be closed. Please see section (4)(a)(iv)(2) of the MSA for the consequences of a closed Microsoft account. Exceptions: The activities below are exceptions that will result in Microsoft extending your account’s active status, even if you have not otherwise signed in to your Microsoft account within a two-year period. * Purchases . If you have used your Microsoft account to purchase, or to redeem or access a purchase of, a current Microsoft product or service, your Microsoft account will remain active and Microsoft will not close your account due to inactivity. Note, this does not apply to gift cards, certifications or subscription-based purchases or services. * Subscriptions . Your Microsoft account will continue to remain active for so long as you have an active Microsoft subscription associated with your Microsoft account. Following the expiration or termination of the subscription, you must sign in to your Microsoft account at least once in a two-year period to keep your account active. * Publishing to the Microsoft Store . If you have used your Microsoft account to publish applications or games (including game DLCs) to the Microsoft Store or to register for a Microsoft Partner Center account, your Microsoft account will remain active and Microsoft will not close your account due to inactivity. * Certifications . If you earn a certification from Microsoft using your Microsoft account, your Microsoft account will remain active and Microsoft will not close your account due to inactivity. * Account Balance . Your Microsoft account will continue to remain active for so long as you have an unspent balance in your Microsoft account (e.g. from a Microsoft gift card or a credit from Microsoft). If you live in a jurisdiction where gift cards are considered “unclaimed property,” Microsoft will, pursuant to local law, escheat the unspent balance associated with your Microsoft gift card. * Accounts Payable . Your Microsoft account will continue to remain active for so long as there is an amount owed to you by Microsoft associated with your Microsoft account (e.g. amounts due to you from Microsoft Payment Central). * Family Accounts. If you have an inactive Microsoft account that has granted consent for an active Microsoft account belonging to a minor, Microsoft will not close your Microsoft account due to your inactivity. Your inactive Microsoft account will be kept open by Microsoft until the minor’s account (i) is deemed inactive and closed by Microsoft, (ii) is closed by you, or (iii) transitions into a standard Microsoft account when the minor reaches the requisite age of majority in their region. * Legal Requirements or as otherwise provided by Microsoft . Notwithstanding the foregoing, Microsoft reserves the right to maintain your account status as active, or not to close an inactive account, as required by applicable law or regulation, or as otherwise provided by Microsoft to you. Your Current Activity Status: You may always review the activity status of your Microsoft account by navigating to the Microsoft account management website. Your activity status will show you how frequently you need to sign in to your account to prevent your account from being deemed inactive. Please note that it may take up to thirty (30) days for any recent purchases or other account activity to be reflected in your activity status. SUBSCRIBE RSS FEEDS NEED MORE HELP? Expand your skills Explore Training Get new features first Join Microsoft Insiders We're giving new customers a free trial of Microsoft 365 This will keep your files and photos secured. Continue WAS THIS INFORMATION HELPFUL? Yes No Thank you! Any more feedback? (The more you tell us the more we can help.) Can you help us improve? (The more you tell us the more we can help.) What affected your experience? Resolved my issue Clear instructions Easy to follow No jargon Pictures helped Other Didn't match my screen Incorrect instructions Too technical Not enough information Not enough pictures Other Any additional feedback? 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