What happens to Microsoft accounts when you die?

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PROBLEM OF THE FORTNIGHT

What happens to Microsoft accounts when you die?

Q My Microsoft 365 Family subscription allows me to install the Office suite on my wife’s and daughter’s computers as well as my own, so we can all use Word, Excel, Outlook and various other Microsoft apps and services. I’ve been trying to find out what would happen to their Office software if I died, but I can’t find an answer. Our 365 subscription is tied to my Microsoft account, and I understand that if it’s left dormant for a certain period, Microsoft closes it. Presumably, my 365 subscription would end too. So, if I were to die unexpectedly, and my wife had to open her own 365 subscription, would she have to reinstall Office all over again? And if so, what would happen to all her Office files and Outlook emails?

I can’t find any information about these issues on Microsoft’s website, so can you advise please?

John Price

A What a marvellous, if rather morbid, question. Now that lots of well-known companies are moving their products and services to a similar ‘rolling subscription’ business model, this is a situation many of us will face in the future.

You asked specifically about Microsoft 365, so we’ll give you a specific answer. However, as you’ve raised the topic, this is a good opportunity for us to offer some general advice on the matter, too.

Every company will have its own procedure. So the first step for the deceased’s next of kin is to contact the provider to find out what they need to do. Typically, the provider will cancel any ongoing subscriptions and won’t take any more payments. The executor (or personal representative) can also contact the deceased’s bank to cancel any direct debits.

Returning to your question about Microsoft 365, according to Microsoft’s own advice (at www.snipca.com/40926 – see screenshot above), your wife wouldn’t need to do anything if you died. Your account would close automatically after two years of inactivity, and any associated data would be deleted.

If you have given your wife your Microsoft credentials, she can log in and speed up the process by cancelling your subscription and closing the account. If not, she (or your personal representative) should contact your bank to cancel the direct debit. Any associated data will be stored for one year and then deleted. Data stored in your account is considered private, even after your death. If your wife or anyone else wants access to it, they need a good reason – and must apply through the UK court system.

That just leaves your wife’s and daughter’s access to Microsoft 365. This would cease when you stopped paying your subscription. However, your wife or daughter could sign up for their own Microsoft 365 Family account and take the reins. Their Microsoft accounts won’t be affected by the deletion of your account. Once they have a new account with a paid subscription, they can log in and continue to access Microsoft 365’s tools and services. They won’t need to reinstall the apps, and their data won’t be affected.