support.microsoft.com
Open in
urlscan Pro
23.206.216.147
Public Scan
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 November 10 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 November 10 via manual from CA — Scanned from CA
Form analysis
3 forms found in the DOMName: searchForm — GET /en-us/Search/results
<form class="c-search" autocomplete="off" id="searchForm" name="searchForm" role="search" action="/en-us/Search/results" method="GET"
data-seautosuggest="{"queryParams":{"market":"en-us","clientId":"7F27B536-CF6B-4C65-8638-A0F8CBDFCA65","sources":"Microsoft-Terms,Iris-Products,DCatAll-Products","filter":"+ClientType:StoreWeb","counts":"5,1,5"},"familyNames":{"Apps":"App","Books":"Book","Bundles":"Bundle","Devices":"Device","Fees":"Fee","Games":"Game","MusicAlbums":"Album","MusicTracks":"Song","MusicVideos":"Video","MusicArtists":"Artist","OperatingSystem":"Operating System","Software":"Software","Movies":"Movie","TV":"TV","CSV":"Gift Card","VideoActor":"Actor"}}"
data-seautosuggestapi="https://www.microsoft.com/msstoreapiprod/api/autosuggest"
data-m="{"cN":"GlobalNav_Search_cont","cT":"Container","id":"c3c1c9c3m1r1a1","sN":3,"aN":"c1c9c3m1r1a1"}" aria-expanded="false" style="overflow-x: visible;">
<div class="x-screen-reader" aria-live="assertive"></div>
<input id="cli_shellHeaderSearchInput" aria-label="Search Expanded" aria-autocomplete="list" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="universal-header-search-auto-suggest-transparent" aria-owns="universal-header-search-auto-suggest-ul" type="search"
name="query" role="combobox" placeholder="Search for help" data-m="{"cN":"SearchBox_nav","id":"n1c3c1c9c3m1r1a1","sN":1,"aN":"c3c1c9c3m1r1a1"}" data-toggle="tooltip"
data-placement="right" title="Search for help" style="overflow-x: visible;">
<button id="search" aria-label="Search for help" class="c-glyph" data-m="{"cN":"Search_nav","id":"n2c3c1c9c3m1r1a1","sN":2,"aN":"c3c1c9c3m1r1a1"}" data-bi-mto="true"
aria-expanded="false" style="overflow-x: visible;">
<span role="presentation" style="overflow-x: visible;">Search</span>
<span role="tooltip" class="c-uhf-tooltip c-uhf-search-tooltip" style="overflow-x: visible;">Search for help</span>
</button>
<div class="m-auto-suggest" id="universal-header-search-auto-suggest-transparent" role="group" style="overflow-x: visible;">
<ul class="c-menu" id="universal-header-search-auto-suggest-ul" aria-label="Search Suggestions" aria-hidden="true" data-bi-dnt="true" data-bi-mto="true" data-js-auto-suggest-position="default" role="listbox" data-tel="jsll"
data-m="{"cN":"search suggestions_cont","cT":"Container","id":"c3c3c1c9c3m1r1a1","sN":3,"aN":"c3c1c9c3m1r1a1"}" style="overflow-x: visible;"></ul>
<ul class="c-menu f-auto-suggest-no-results" aria-hidden="true" data-js-auto-suggest-postion="default" data-js-auto-suggest-position="default" role="listbox" style="overflow-x: visible;">
<li class="c-menu-item" style="overflow-x: visible;"> <span tabindex="-1" style="overflow-x: visible;">No results</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</form>
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
type="hidden" name="isEnrichedQuery" value="false"><button class="searchBoxButton" type="submit" title="Search" data-bi-mto="true" aria-hidden="true"><span
class="searchBoxIconContainer"><i class="searchBoxIcon icon-mdl2 icon-forward"></i></span></button></form>
Name: smartFeedbackForm — javascript:void(0);
<form action="javascript:void(0);" id="extendedFeedbackForm" name="smartFeedbackForm" class="smartFeedbackForm supStickyFeedbackMarginBottom">
<div class="ocSmartFeedbackBegin extendedFeedbackArticleInfoUseful" role="region" aria-label="Provide feedback about this article">
<div id="beginFeedbackHeader" class="supStickyFeedbackHeader">
<h2 class="boldFont">Was this information helpful?</h2>
</div>
<div class="feedbackButtons">
<button class="ocFeedbackButton supStickyFeedbackButton feedbackSelection feedbackButtonBlue" name="buttonYes" type="button" data-bi-id="buttonYes" data-bi-mto="">Yes</button>
<button class="ocFeedbackButton supStickyFeedbackButton feedbackSelection feedbackButtonBlue" name="buttonNo" type="button" data-bi-id="buttonNo" data-bi-mto="">No</button>
</div>
</div>
<div id="extendedFeedback" class="ocSmartFeedbackReply ocHidden">
<div id="extendedFeedbackHeader" class="supStickyFeedbackHeader">
<label for="feedbackText" class="ocFeedbackHeaderIfArticleHelpful ocHidden">
<span class="boldFont" aria-hidden="true">Thank you! Any more feedback?</span> (The more you tell us the more we can help.) </label>
<label for="feedbackText" class="ocFeedbackHeaderIfArticleNotHelpful ocHidden">
<span class="boldFont" aria-hidden="true">Can you help us improve?</span> (The more you tell us the more we can help.) </label>
</div>
<fieldset id="extendedFeedbackArticleExperience" class="feedbackGroup">
<legend class="extendedFeedbackQuestionLabels">What affected your experience?</legend>
<div class="ocFeedbackHeaderIfArticleHelpful ocHidden">
<div id="articleExperience_helpful_0">
<div class="experienceOption">
<label class="articleExperienceOptionsLabels">
<input class="articleExperienceOptionsCheckbox" type="checkbox" tabindex="-1" id="helpful_0" name="helpful_0" value="Resolved my issue" data-bi-dnt="">
<span class="checkboxTick" tabindex="0" role="checkbox" aria-label="Resolved my issue"></span>
<span class="experienceOptionLabels">Resolved my issue</span>
</label>
</div>
<div class="experienceOption">
<label class="articleExperienceOptionsLabels">
<input class="articleExperienceOptionsCheckbox" type="checkbox" tabindex="-1" id="helpful_1" name="helpful_1" value="Clear instructions" data-bi-dnt="">
<span class="checkboxTick" tabindex="0" role="checkbox" aria-label="Clear instructions"></span>
<span class="experienceOptionLabels">Clear instructions</span>
</label>
</div>
</div>
<div id="articleExperience_helpful_1">
<div class="experienceOption">
<label class="articleExperienceOptionsLabels">
<input class="articleExperienceOptionsCheckbox" type="checkbox" tabindex="-1" id="helpful_2" name="helpful_2" value="Easy to follow" data-bi-dnt="">
<span class="checkboxTick" tabindex="0" role="checkbox" aria-label="Easy to follow"></span>
<span class="experienceOptionLabels">Easy to follow</span>
</label>
</div>
<div class="experienceOption">
<label class="articleExperienceOptionsLabels">
<input class="articleExperienceOptionsCheckbox" type="checkbox" tabindex="-1" id="helpful_3" name="helpful_3" value="No jargon" data-bi-dnt="">
<span class="checkboxTick" tabindex="0" role="checkbox" aria-label="No jargon"></span>
<span class="experienceOptionLabels">No jargon</span>
</label>
</div>
</div>
<div id="articleExperience_helpful_2">
<div class="experienceOption">
<label class="articleExperienceOptionsLabels">
<input class="articleExperienceOptionsCheckbox" type="checkbox" tabindex="-1" id="helpful_4" name="helpful_4" value="Pictures helped" data-bi-dnt="">
<span class="checkboxTick" tabindex="0" role="checkbox" aria-label="Pictures helped"></span>
<span class="experienceOptionLabels">Pictures helped</span>
</label>
</div>
<div class="experienceOption">
<label class="articleExperienceOptionsLabels">
<input class="articleExperienceOptionsCheckbox" type="checkbox" tabindex="-1" id="helpful_5" name="helpful_5" value="Other" data-bi-dnt="">
<span class="checkboxTick" tabindex="0" role="checkbox" aria-label="Other"></span>
<span class="experienceOptionLabels">Other</span>
</label>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="ocFeedbackHeaderIfArticleNotHelpful ocHidden">
<div id="articleExperience_notHelpful_0">
<div class="experienceOption">
<label class="articleExperienceOptionsLabels">
<input class="articleExperienceOptionsCheckbox" type="checkbox" tabindex="-1" id="notHelpful_0" name="notHelpful_0" value="Didn't match my screen" data-bi-dnt="">
<span class="checkboxTick" tabindex="0" role="checkbox" aria-label="Didn't match my screen"></span>
<span class="experienceOptionLabels">Didn't match my screen</span>
</label>
</div>
<div class="experienceOption">
<label class="articleExperienceOptionsLabels">
<input class="articleExperienceOptionsCheckbox" type="checkbox" tabindex="-1" id="notHelpful_1" name="notHelpful_1" value="Incorrect instructions" data-bi-dnt="">
<span class="checkboxTick" tabindex="0" role="checkbox" aria-label="Incorrect instructions"></span>
<span class="experienceOptionLabels">Incorrect instructions</span>
</label>
</div>
</div>
<div id="articleExperience_notHelpful_1">
<div class="experienceOption">
<label class="articleExperienceOptionsLabels">
<input class="articleExperienceOptionsCheckbox" type="checkbox" tabindex="-1" id="notHelpful_2" name="notHelpful_2" value="Too technical" data-bi-dnt="">
<span class="checkboxTick" tabindex="0" role="checkbox" aria-label="Too technical"></span>
<span class="experienceOptionLabels">Too technical</span>
</label>
</div>
<div class="experienceOption">
<label class="articleExperienceOptionsLabels">
<input class="articleExperienceOptionsCheckbox" type="checkbox" tabindex="-1" id="notHelpful_3" name="notHelpful_3" value="Not enough information" data-bi-dnt="">
<span class="checkboxTick" tabindex="0" role="checkbox" aria-label="Not enough information"></span>
<span class="experienceOptionLabels">Not enough information</span>
</label>
</div>
</div>
<div id="articleExperience_notHelpful_2">
<div class="experienceOption">
<label class="articleExperienceOptionsLabels">
<input class="articleExperienceOptionsCheckbox" type="checkbox" tabindex="-1" id="notHelpful_4" name="notHelpful_4" value="Not enough pictures" data-bi-dnt="">
<span class="checkboxTick" tabindex="0" role="checkbox" aria-label="Not enough pictures"></span>
<span class="experienceOptionLabels">Not enough pictures</span>
</label>
</div>
<div class="experienceOption">
<label class="articleExperienceOptionsLabels">
<input class="articleExperienceOptionsCheckbox" type="checkbox" tabindex="-1" id="notHelpful_5" name="notHelpful_5" value="Other" data-bi-dnt="">
<span class="checkboxTick" tabindex="0" role="checkbox" aria-label="Other"></span>
<span class="experienceOptionLabels">Other</span>
</label>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
<div id="extendedFeedbackVerbatim" class="verbatimFeedback feedbackGroup">
<label for="verbatimFeedbackInput" class="extendedFeedbackQuestionLabels">Any additional feedback? (Optional)</label>
<textarea id="verbatimFeedbackInput" class="ocSmartFeedbackTextArea" name="feedbackText" rows="6" cols="40" maxlength="250"
placeholder="To protect your privacy, do not provide any personal information such as email address, phone number, product key, password, or credit card number."></textarea>
</div>
<div id="extendedFeedbackFormSubmit" class="feedbackButtons">
<button id="buttonFeedbackVerbatimSubmit" class="ocFeedbackButton supStickyFeedbackButton ocButtonSendComment feedbackButtonBlue" type="submit" data-bi-id="buttonFeedbackVerbatimSubmit" data-bi-mto="" disabled="">Submit feedback</button>
</div>
</div>
</form>
Text Content
Skip to main content Microsoft Support Support Support * Home * Microsoft 365 * Office * Windows * Surface * Xbox * Deals * More * Buy Microsoft 365 * All Microsoft * * 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 * Holiday gifts * Licensing * Microsoft Experience Center * View Sitemap Search Search for help * No results Cancel Sign in to your account Sign in * 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 letting new customers try Microsoft 365 for free Enjoy these powerful productivity apps Unlock 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? (Optional) Submit feedback THANK YOU FOR YOUR FEEDBACK! × What's new * Surface Pro 9 * Surface Laptop 5 * Surface Studio 2+ * Surface Laptop Go 2 * Surface Laptop Studio * Surface Duo 2 * Microsoft 365 * Windows 11 apps Microsoft Store * Account profile * Download Center * Microsoft Store support * Returns * Order tracking * Personal shopping appointments * Microsoft Store Promise * Flexible Payments Education * Microsoft in education * Devices for education * Microsoft Teams for Education * Microsoft 365 Education * Education consultation appointment * Educator training and development * Deals for students and parents * Azure for students Business * Microsoft Cloud * Microsoft Security * Dynamics 365 * Microsoft 365 * Microsoft Power Platform * Microsoft Teams * Microsoft Industry * Small Business Developer & IT * Azure * Developer Center * Documentation * Microsoft Learn * Microsoft Tech Community * Azure Marketplace * AppSource * Visual Studio Company * Careers * About Microsoft * Company news * Privacy at Microsoft * Investors * Diversity and inclusion * Accessibility * Sustainability English (United States) * Sitemap * Contact Microsoft * Privacy * Manage cookies * Terms of use * Trademarks * Safety & eco * About our ads * © Microsoft 2022