What happens to a Microsoft account when someone dies

“You must sign in at least once in a two-year period to keep your Microsoft account, and associated Services (unless specified otherwise), active... If you don't sign in during this time, we will assume your Microsoft account is inactive and will close it for you... You must sign into your Outlook.com inbox and your OneDrive (separately) at least once in a one-year period, otherwise we will close your Outlook.com inbox and your OneDrive for you.”¹

Microsoft states "You don't need to contact us to let us know that someone has died": anyone who knows the account credentials can close the account, and an account whose credentials are unknown closes automatically after two years of inactivity.²

Microsoft must first be formally served with a valid subpoena or court order to consider whether it can lawfully release a deceased user's personal email, OneDrive storage or any other aspect of the Microsoft account.²

Microsoft responds only to non-criminal subpoenas and court orders served on its registered agent in the requesting party's state or region, and is unable to respond to faxed or emailed requests for such matters.²

Microsoft decides whether to provide the contents of a personal email or cloud storage account only after review of applicable laws, may be unable to provide them, and states that legal process "does not guarantee that we will be able to assist you."²

Outside the United States the routes differ: in Germany next of kin may contact Microsoft customer support with proof of legal successorship, and in China a close relative may contact support with proof of death and of the relationship.²

Microsoft states its "support agents and advocates are not allowed to send password reset links or access and change account details," and it does not provide passwords or transfer the account.²

The account itself is never transferred: the Microsoft Services Agreement bars transferring account credentials to another user or entity, and bars transferring the software, any software licenses or any rights to access or use the services.¹

Games, apps, movies and other digital content bought through the Microsoft Store are licensed, not sold, so the Xbox and Microsoft Store library ends with the account. Physical discs remain usable on any console.¹

Microsoft Rewards points are and remain at all times the property of Microsoft and do not constitute the account holder's personal property, so they sit outside the estate.¹

Outlook.com and OneDrive accounts are frozen after 1 year of inactivity and the email messages and OneDrive files are deleted shortly after, while the Microsoft account itself expires after 2 years.²

Unredeemed Microsoft Rewards points expire if no points are earned or redeemed for 12 consecutive months, and a Rewards account may be cancelled and its points forfeited if the Microsoft account is not logged into for 12 consecutive months.¹

An unspent, non-promotional account balance keeps the account active and does not expire.^{3, 4}

When an account is closed deliberately, the owner chooses a 30- or 60-day reopen window; after it passes, Microsoft deletes the data and content and states it cannot retrieve it.^{5, 6, 1}

Microsoft's gift card terms state "If we close your Microsoft account, we will refund to you any remaining balance to the extent required by law." Promotional balance is not refunded.⁴

In jurisdictions where gift cards are treated as unclaimed property, Microsoft escheats the unspent balance under local law.³

Unused Skype Credit is lost and cannot be retrieved if the Microsoft account is closed for any reason, and Skype Credits may not be transferred to others.¹

Microsoft tells survivors to ensure any Microsoft subscriptions are cancelled, and notes they may be stopped by closing the bank account or credit card, revoking authorizations, or informing the bank.²

The owner's own storage and AI benefits end with the owner's Microsoft 365 subscription rather than passing to the family group; when the plan lapses, other members keep their own accounts and files but lose the subscription benefits.⁷

Service of non-criminal subpoenas and court orders for requests in Europe²

Game Pass sharing, home Xbox sharing, the gamertag, the digital library and the Xbox wallet⁷

Live advertising campaigns run under the account, which keep spending after death until someone pauses them¹