Can your Hotmail account get deleted?

Answered by Douglas Hiatt

It is possible for your Hotmail account to be deleted if you do not use it for a certain period of time. Microsoft has implemented a policy that states that if you do not sign in to your Hotmail account for 365 days (about a year), it can be permanently deleted. This means that if you go a whole year without accessing your account, you may lose all the emails, contacts, and other data associated with that account.

It is important to note that this deletion policy applies specifically to Windows Live Hotmail accounts. Microsoft has since transitioned to Outlook.com as their primary email service. However, many Hotmail accounts were automatically upgraded to Outlook.com, so if you have a Hotmail email address, it is likely that you are using the Outlook.com platform.

The reason behind this deletion policy is to free up inactive or unused email addresses and to ensure that the email service remains efficient and reliable for active users. With millions of users, it is necessary for Microsoft to manage their resources effectively. By deleting inactive accounts, they can make email addresses available to new users or existing users who may want to change their email address.

It is crucial to keep in mind that once an account is permanently deleted, there is no way to recover it. All the emails, attachments, contacts, and other data associated with that account will be lost forever. Therefore, it is essential to regularly log in to your Hotmail or Outlook.com account to keep it active and prevent it from being deleted.

To avoid the risk of account deletion, I would recommend setting up a reminder or making it a habit to log in to your Hotmail or Outlook.com account at least once every few months, even if you don’t actively use it. This will ensure that your account remains active and you do not lose any important data.

Yes, your Hotmail account can get deleted if you do not use it for 365 days. It is crucial to regularly log in to your account to keep it active and prevent permanent deletion. Taking proactive measures to maintain your account’s activity can help you avoid the loss of important emails and contacts.