176 Total
93 High severity
73 Medium severity
10 Low severity

Key Facts

What will Microsoft do with data or content associated with a closed Microsoft account?
Microsoft will delete data or content associated with a closed Microsoft account, or disassociate it from the user, unless law requires Microsoft to keep, return, or transfer it.
When will Microsoft delete or disassociate data from the user?
Microsoft will delete data or content associated with a closed Microsoft account, or disassociate it from the user, unless law requires Microsoft to keep, return, or transfer it.
Are all purchases final and non-refundable?
Microsoft makes all purchases final and non-refundable unless otherwise provided by law or by a particular Service offer.
What does Microsoft deem a chargeback or bank reversal initiated by the user to constitute?
Microsoft deems a chargeback or bank reversal initiated by the user to constitute cancellation as of the original payment date, and Microsoft is authorized to immediately cancel the Service and/or revoke any content.
Does Microsoft prohibit class action lawsuits?
Microsoft prohibits class action lawsuits, class-wide arbitrations, private attorney-general actions, requests for public injunctions, and any other proceeding or request for relief where someone acts in a representative capacity.
Does Microsoft prohibit class-wide arbitrations and private attorney-general actions?
Microsoft prohibits class action lawsuits, class-wide arbitrations, private attorney-general actions, requests for public injunctions, and any other proceeding or request for relief where someone acts in a representative capacity.
What does Microsoft cap the user's exclusive remedy for damages at?
Microsoft caps the user's exclusive remedy for damages at direct damages equal to one month's Services fee, or up to $10.00 if the Services are free, recoverable from Microsoft, its affiliates, resellers, distributors, Third-Party Apps and Services providers, and vendors.
Can Microsoft change the Terms at any time?
Microsoft may change the Terms at any time and will notify users, and using the Services after the changes become effective constitutes agreement to the new terms.
What constitutes agreement to new terms when Microsoft changes them?
Microsoft may change the Terms at any time and will notify users, and using the Services after the changes become effective constitutes agreement to the new terms.
Does Microsoft hold a worldwide, royalty-free intellectual property license to use content users upload or provide?
Microsoft holds a worldwide, royalty-free intellectual property license to use content users upload or provide, including by copying, retaining, transmitting, reformatting, displaying, and distributing it via communication tools on the Services.
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Summary

This agreement sets the rules for using Microsoft's Services, including what Microsoft can do with your content, what happens to your account and data if you stop signing in, and what remedies you have if something goes wrong. If you do not sign in at least once every two years, Microsoft will close your account and delete your data. All purchases are final, your financial recovery from Microsoft is capped at one month's fee or $10.00, and you cannot sue Microsoft as part of a class action.

Analysis

The Microsoft Services Agreement (Legacy) establishes the terms under which Microsoft provides its Services to users, defining obligations and rights across account management, content licensing, payment, liability, and AI use. Microsoft acquires a worldwide, royalty-free license to copy, retain, transmit, reformat, display, and distribute user-uploaded content via the Services. The agreement caps user recovery to direct damages not exceeding one month's Services fee or $10.00 for free Services, disclaims all express and implied warranties, and prohibits class actions, class-wide arbitrations, private attorney-general actions, and all representative proceedings. Microsoft reserves the right to modify the Terms at any time with notice, and continued use constitutes acceptance. Specific restrictions govern AI services, prohibiting users from employing them without appropriate human oversight for consequential decisions and from using AI service outputs to create, train, or improve any AI technology.

What this means for you

Users face account closure and permanent data deletion if they do not sign in at least once every two years, making regular sign-in the single most consequential action to preserve access and data. All purchases are non-refundable absent a legal requirement or specific Service offer providing otherwise, and initiating a bank chargeback triggers retroactive cancellation of the Service and potential revocation of content. Microsoft's liability to users is capped at direct damages equal to one month's fee or $10.00 for free Services, all warranties are disclaimed, and users may only pursue individual claims. Users who share content with others should be aware that those recipients may use, reproduce, and distribute that content worldwide without compensation. To protect their data and account access, users should sign in at least once every two years.

Institutional Analysis
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Which mapped governance frameworks each document engages, tied to the specific provisions that engage them.

Featured, High severity

Complete Provision Index

Every distinct legal provision identified in this document. Featured provisions appear above with analysis.

176 provisions
12 featured
23 clause types
93 high severity
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Mapped Governance Frameworks

CFAA
United States Federal
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DSA
European Union
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FAA
United States Federal
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FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
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Archival ProvenanceSource & Archival Record
Last Captured August 4, 2026 00:08 UTC
Capture Method Automated scheduled archival capture
Document ID CA-D-000002
Version ID CA-V-005484
SHA-256 8ab9c40d93b8fc9977a3889c82e2c9c86e42afd16e7e7c36615afbb226a9adbf
✓ Snapshot stored ✓ Text extracted ✓ Change verified ✓ Hash verified

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