License & Subscription Issues

How to Cancel Microsoft 365 Subscription Without Losing Data

WPS Editor Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to cancel one of their Microsoft 365 subscriptions associated with a Hotmail account without deleting the email account or losing access to their OneDrive files and documents.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing multiple Microsoft subscriptions and needing to securely cancel one without compromising stored cloud data or the associated email account.
Observed behavior: The user seeks assurance and steps to ensure that stopping the subscription recurring billing will not result in the deletion of their Hotmail account, photos, or OneDrive documents.

Before you start

Check your current OneDrive storage usage before proceeding. Canceling the subscription will downgrade your storage to the free 5 GB limit, so you must download or move any files exceeding this limit to prevent them from becoming read-only.

Solution 1Recommended

Cancel the Subscription via Microsoft Services Settings

Follow these steps to safely turn off recurring billing and cancel your Microsoft 365 subscription while keeping your account active.

Canceling a Microsoft 365 subscription only removes the premium features and extra cloud storage. It does not delete your Microsoft account, Hotmail email address, or the files currently sitting in your OneDrive.

Sign in to your Microsoft Account

Navigate to the Microsoft Services and subscriptions page in your web browser. Ensure you sign in using the specific Hotmail account tied to the subscription you want to cancel.

Locate the subscription

Scroll through your list of active services to find the Microsoft 365 subscription you wish to terminate.

Manage and cancel

Click on 'Manage' next to the subscription, then select 'Cancel subscription' or 'Turn off recurring billing'. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your choice.

Storage Limit Warning: After cancellation, your OneDrive storage will be reduced to 5 GB. If your data exceeds this, your files will remain available but may become read-only until you free up space.

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Switch to WPS Office After Canceling Microsoft 365

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1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free suite and follow the simple installation prompts.
2. Open Your Existing Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office documents without needing any format conversion.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my Hotmail email address if I cancel Microsoft 365?

No. Your Hotmail or Outlook email address is a free Microsoft service. Canceling a Microsoft 365 subscription only removes premium features and extra storage; it does not delete your email account.

What happens to my OneDrive files after cancellation?

Your files remain in your OneDrive account, but your storage limit will drop to the free 5 GB capacity. If you have more than 5 GB of data, your files will become read-only until you download them, delete some, or move them elsewhere.

Can I transfer my Microsoft 365 subscription to my other account?

Microsoft 365 subscriptions cannot be directly transferred between Microsoft accounts. You must cancel the subscription on one account and purchase a new one on your preferred account.

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