How to Delete Screen Names & Email Addresses

Instant Messenger Screen

Ready for a change online? Trying to avoid someone? These are a few reasons why you may be ready to delete your screen name. Here is a how to guide to help you through the process.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with internet connection
• Instant Messenger
• New screen name (if you want to change it)

Instructions

Delete screen name

1. Make sure you move all of your important saved messages and emails from your account to a folder on your computer. Once you delete your account, they will not be replaceable.

2. Perhaps, you have grown tired of your screen name and want a new one.

   For AIM Users:
   Unfortunately, if you are an AIM user, you cannot permanently delete a screen name. As an AIM user with more than 10 screen names, you can trust me on this knowledge. You can remove your screen name from searches, so no one will find your undesired screen name.

   For Windows users: Select the My AIM menu, click My Options, and then click Edit Preferences. After the window appears, click the Controls tab, and click that you do not want your information shared.

   Macintosh: Select the Edit menu, and click Preferences. After the window appears, click the Controls tab, and select that options that you do/do not want shared with others.

3. For Yahoo! account holders:
   You can delete your account. If you have multiple screen names on Yahoo, you can delete one of them by going to the My Account page and hitting Edit Profiles. This should give you the option to delete this screen name. If you want to completely rid yourself of a Yahoo account, you need to delete your master account. You would do the same process; however, you would select the screen name that is the master account.

4. For gmail users:
   You will have to give up your gmail account as well. This means no more email. To terminate your account, go to Settings and then Accounts. There should be a box that says Google Account Settings. It will have a link called Google Account Settings for you to click on. Scroll down, and you will see the option to close the account entirely. Confirm the cancellation by checking the box on the next screen.

   Check your alternate confirmation that your account has been deleted. You can also try to log on to the account to see if it works. If it still works, contact the service's help desk for more information.

5. Go ahead and create a new screen name. Make sure it something that you will like and want to keep for a while, so you don't have to repeat this process again soon.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you have valid reasons for wanting a new screen name. Tell all of your friends about your new screen name. Change profiles that have your old screen name listed.

• You will not be able to get your screen name back once you have deleted it, so make sure you are making the right decision. Do not give away your screen name to a friend who wants it because it is easy for them to trick friends on your buddy list.

References

• AIM help desk
• Gmail help desk
• Yahoo! help desk