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If you choose to '''close your account''', it will be disabled across the entire Fandom network and you won't be able to use it in the future. Because of the way Fandom works, it is not possible to delete or entirely remove accounts.
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'''Closing an account''' is a special option available to Fandom users that permanently disables the account across the entire Fandom network. Due to the way MediaWiki works, deleting or otherwise removing accounts is not possible.
   
 
==What closing an account means==
== Alternatives to disabling ==
 
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Closing an account is always available through a dedicated special page. Once you choose to close your account, the following happens:
If you feel you need to leave or quit Fandom, you can simply stop using your account. You may want to consider leaving a message on your user and user talk pages/message wall before doing this to let other community members know you have left. It is also recommended that you make someone the new [[Help:User_rights#Administrators|admin]] and [[Help:User rights#Bureaucrat|bureaucrat]] for the community before leaving Fandom or disabling your account. To do so, check the wikis that you are currently an admin and bureaucrat on by going to [[homepage:w:Special:UserActivity|Special:UserActivity]] and then use [[Special:UserRights]] to make another user the admin and bureaucrat.
 
To no longer receive e-mails from Fandom, you can set this in your [[Help:Preferences|preferences]].
 
   
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* Your password is scrambled into random gibberish.
If you want to be sure your account cannot be used by you again, you can also scramble your password so that you won't remember it. Removing your email and scrambling your password can both be done by visiting [[Special:Preferences|your preferences]]. Together, they have almost the same effect as closing your account.
 
 
* If set, the name displayed on your account alongside your username is set to <code>Account disabled</code>.
 
* Your profile picture is deleted and replaced with the default profile picture.
 
* Your account is marked as disabled on Special:Contributions and other Special pages.
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* Your contributions will be prefaced with a notice that reads "This account has been disabled globally, either by user choice, or by FANDOM." The words "user choice" links to this page.
   
 
What closing an account '''does not''' do:
You are also able to rename your account. Please see [[Help:Changing your username|Rename my account]] for more details.
 
 
== Disabling an account ==
 
If you feel the above options are not for you, you can disable your account using [[Special:CloseMyAccount]].
 
 
What this does:
 
 
* Scrambles your password into randomly generated gibberish.
 
* Changes the "real name" in your account preferences to <code>Account disabled</code>.
 
* Removes your profile picture '''completely''' by changing it back to the default profile picture.
 
* Makes your account disabled internally (this shows on Special:Contributions and other places).
 
 
What this does '''NOT''' do:
 
   
 
* Remove your username from any edit histories.
 
* Remove your username from any edit histories.
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* Close the wiki(s) that you have founded.
 
* Close the wiki(s) that you have founded.
   
=== How to close your account===
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==Alternatives to closing==
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If you feel you need to quit Fandom, you can simply stop using your account. You may want to consider leaving a message on your user and user talk pages/message wall before doing this to let other community members know you have left. You can also elect not to receive e-mails from Fandom, by simply clearing your e-mail in your [[Help:Preferences|preferences]].
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If you have [[Help:User rights#Bureaucrat|bureaucrat]] rights, it's recommended to promote another user before leaving Fandom or disabling your account. To do so, check the wikis that you are currently a bureaucrat on by going to [[homepage:w:Special:UserActivity|Special:UserActivity]] and then use [[Special:UserRights]] to make another user a bureaucrat.
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You can also choose to set a new password for the account and deliberately set it to something difficult or impossible to remember. Coupled with removing your e-mail, this will have the same practical effect as closing your account.
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You are also able to rename your account. Please see [[Help:Changing your username|Rename my account]] for more details.
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==How to close your account==
 
[[File:ContactDisableForm.png|thumb|301px|The disable request form on [[Special:CloseMyAccount|Special:CloseMyAccount]].]]
 
[[File:ContactDisableForm.png|thumb|301px|The disable request form on [[Special:CloseMyAccount|Special:CloseMyAccount]].]]
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If you believe that closing the account permanently is the right option for you, follow these steps:
 
* Go to [[Special:CloseMyAccount]].
 
* Go to [[Special:CloseMyAccount]].
* Read the information at the top of the disabling page to ensure you understand what disabling your account does.
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* Read the information at the top of the disabling page to verify that you mean to permanently close your account.
** If needed, re-read this help page, which is linked to on the disabling page.
 
 
* If you are sure that you want to disable your account, click the option saying you have read this page and the option confirming you want your account disabled.
 
* If you are sure that you want to disable your account, click the option saying you have read this page and the option confirming you want your account disabled.
* Click the '''Close my account''' button.
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* Click the '''Close my account''' button. You will be automatically logged out of your account.
 
* At this point, you will have '''30 days''' to log into your account again and reverse the process. After this deadline expires, your account will be permanently closed and you will no longer be able to reactivate it. Note that email addresses associated with permanently disabled Fandom accounts are not vacated and therefore not reusable.
** You will be logged out of your account at this time.
 
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* Again, after 30 days the change is '''permanent''' and profile contents are wiped automatically.
* You will have '''30 days''' to change your mind and request that your account be reactivated by logging in to the account and following the instructions you will see. After this 30-day period, your account will be permanently closed and you will no longer be able to reactivate it. Email addresses associated with permanently disabled Fandom accounts are not vacated and therefore not reusable.
 
** At this point, this change is '''permanent'''. No backup of this private information is kept after an account is disabled.
 
   
== How to cancel a request ==
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==How to cancel a request==
 
[[File:Reactivate Form.png|thumb|300px|The Reactivate my account form when signing back in during the 30 day grace period.]]
 
[[File:Reactivate Form.png|thumb|300px|The Reactivate my account form when signing back in during the 30 day grace period.]]
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If you decide you want to reverse your decision:
* Simply log in to your username within 30 days of disabling your account with your normal username and password.
 
** You will be redirected to a "Reactivate my account" special page.
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* Simply log in to your account within 30 days of disabling your account with your usual login details. You will be redirected to the "Reactivate my account" special page.
 
* Click the '''Reactivate my account''' button.
 
* Click the '''Reactivate my account''' button.
** Upon clicking the following button, you will receive a confirmation email at the email associated with your account.
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* Upon clicking the following button, you will receive a confirmation email at the email associated with your account.
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* To complete the reactivation, click the link in the email.
* Follow the link in the email to successfully reactivate your account.
 
   
== See also ==
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==See also==
 
* [[Help:Changing your username]]
 
* [[Help:Changing your username]]
 
* [[w:Choosing Fandom|Choosing Fandom]]
 
* [[w:Choosing Fandom|Choosing Fandom]]

Revision as of 14:38, 14 September 2020

Closing an account is a special option available to Fandom users that permanently disables the account across the entire Fandom network. Due to the way MediaWiki works, deleting or otherwise removing accounts is not possible.

What closing an account means

Closing an account is always available through a dedicated special page. Once you choose to close your account, the following happens:

  • Your password is scrambled into random gibberish.
  • If set, the name displayed on your account alongside your username is set to Account disabled.
  • Your profile picture is deleted and replaced with the default profile picture.
  • Your account is marked as disabled on Special:Contributions and other Special pages.
  • Your contributions will be prefaced with a notice that reads "This account has been disabled globally, either by user choice, or by FANDOM." The words "user choice" links to this page.

What closing an account does not do:

  • Remove your username from any edit histories.
  • Remove your username from any logs (such as blocks).
  • Delete any pages you have created.
  • Remove any edits you have made to any page.
  • Release the name for another user to use later.
  • Close the wiki(s) that you have founded.

Alternatives to closing

If you feel you need to quit Fandom, you can simply stop using your account. You may want to consider leaving a message on your user and user talk pages/message wall before doing this to let other community members know you have left. You can also elect not to receive e-mails from Fandom, by simply clearing your e-mail in your preferences.

If you have bureaucrat rights, it's recommended to promote another user before leaving Fandom or disabling your account. To do so, check the wikis that you are currently a bureaucrat on by going to Special:UserActivity and then use Special:UserRights to make another user a bureaucrat.

You can also choose to set a new password for the account and deliberately set it to something difficult or impossible to remember. Coupled with removing your e-mail, this will have the same practical effect as closing your account.

You are also able to rename your account. Please see Rename my account for more details.

How to close your account

ContactDisableForm

The disable request form on Special:CloseMyAccount.

If you believe that closing the account permanently is the right option for you, follow these steps:

  • Go to Special:CloseMyAccount.
  • Read the information at the top of the disabling page to verify that you mean to permanently close your account.
  • If you are sure that you want to disable your account, click the option saying you have read this page and the option confirming you want your account disabled.
  • Click the Close my account button. You will be automatically logged out of your account.
  • At this point, you will have 30 days to log into your account again and reverse the process. After this deadline expires, your account will be permanently closed and you will no longer be able to reactivate it. Note that email addresses associated with permanently disabled Fandom accounts are not vacated and therefore not reusable.
  • Again, after 30 days the change is permanent and profile contents are wiped automatically.

How to cancel a request

Reactivate Form

The Reactivate my account form when signing back in during the 30 day grace period.

If you decide you want to reverse your decision:

  • Simply log in to your account within 30 days of disabling your account with your usual login details. You will be redirected to the "Reactivate my account" special page.
  • Click the Reactivate my account button.
  • Upon clicking the following button, you will receive a confirmation email at the email associated with your account.
  • To complete the reactivation, click the link in the email.

See also

Further help and feedback