License & Subscription Issues

How to Cancel One Microsoft 365 Subscription and Keep Your Data

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to cancel one of two separate Microsoft 365 subscriptions while ensuring that all OneDrive files and data associated with the canceled account are safely preserved or transferred to the remaining account.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing multiple Microsoft 365 subscriptions and consolidating data before cancellation.
Observed behavior: Two separate Microsoft 365 subscriptions cannot be directly merged or linked, requiring manual data backup and transfer before canceling one of the accounts.

Before you start

Ensure you have enough local storage space on your computer to download and temporarily hold all files from the OneDrive account you plan to cancel.

Solution 1Recommended

Backup Data and Cancel the Unwanted Microsoft 365 Subscription

Follow these steps to safely unlink OneDrive, download your files locally, and cancel the duplicate subscription.

Because two Microsoft 365 subscriptions purchased under separate accounts cannot be automatically merged, you must manually download your data before canceling the account to prevent data loss.

Stop OneDrive Synchronization

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray, go to Settings (the gear icon), select the 'Account' tab, and click 'Unlink this PC' to stop syncing your local machine with the cloud.

Download Files Locally

Log into your OneDrive account via a web browser, select all the files and folders you want to keep, and click the 'Download' button on the top menu to save them to your local hard drive as a ZIP file.

Verify the Downloaded Data

Extract the downloaded ZIP file and carefully check your local folders to ensure all important documents, photos, and files are present and can be opened normally.

Cancel the Subscription

Sign in to the Microsoft Account management page with the account you wish to cancel, navigate to 'Services & subscriptions', find your Microsoft 365 subscription, and click 'Manage' followed by 'Cancel subscription'.

Transfer Files to the Remaining Account

Log into the remaining Microsoft 365 account in your browser or set up the OneDrive desktop app with the new account credentials, and upload your locally saved files to the active OneDrive.

Refund Eligibility: Depending on when you purchased the subscription and your region, you might be eligible for a prorated or full refund automatically upon cancellation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I merge two Microsoft 365 accounts into one?

No, Microsoft currently does not allow merging or linking two separate Microsoft 365 subscriptions or accounts. You must manually transfer your data from one account to the other before canceling one of the subscriptions.

Will I lose my files if I cancel my Microsoft 365 subscription?

If you cancel your subscription, your OneDrive storage limit will revert to the free tier (5GB). If your files exceed this limit, you will not be able to add new files, and eventually, Microsoft may freeze or delete them. It is crucial to download your files locally before canceling.

How do I move my files from one OneDrive account to another?

The most reliable method is to download the files from the first OneDrive account to your computer's local storage, sign out, sign in with your second Microsoft account, and then upload the files to the new OneDrive account.

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