I just sold my old Windows PC to a guy off Craigslist and realize that I didn’t disconnect it from my Microsoft Store account first. Does that mean he can buy new apps on my account?
The range of things you need to do so that your computer is ready and safe to sell to someone else keeps growing. It’s not enough any more just to reformat the drive or do a “clean” install of the operating system. Now you also need to remember to disconnect it from various shared and Web-based services too, including Apple iTunes Store (which has a limit on how many authorized computers you can have on each account), Dropbox and, yes, the Microsoft Store.
Now before you get too paranoid, realize that if you have deleted things properly you’ve also removed the default account information so while it might be a bit of a challenge with the iTunes Store authorized computer limit, few people should be able to figure out your account credentials and log in to your old Windows PC.
I mean, you DID delete things and uninstall these apps and re-install Windows prior to selling it, right?
In any case, here’s how to pop into the Microsoft Store and close that old computer down…
First off, Windows 8. Main home screen:
It can be a bit tricky to find in the mishmash of tiles, but just under the Amazon tile is the Microsoft Store: The little shopping bag against a green background.
Click or tap on it…
See the subtle options listed on the green bar atop the screen?
Tap on “Account” and you’ll move into a display of information about your own account:
Worth remembering: this is where you enter redemption codes if you ever win or purchase these at a store!
You’ll want to scroll or swipe downward to show the list of PCs that are tied to your Microsoft Store account:
To demonstrate how this works, I’m going to unhook the Mixx tablet from this account. Remember, if you accidentally remove the wrong system, it’s not a big deal, you’ll just have to sign in to your Microsoft App Store account again next time you use it.
To remove it, I’ll tap or click on … any guesses? Yes! “Remove”.
If you’re sure that’s what you want to do, tap or click on “Confirm”.
Done. Easy.
If you’re unsure about which systems is which, you can remove EVERY system from your account, then start over as you use ’em again too. And in terms of your original question: Before any new purchases are made, the Microsoft Store should prompt them to re-enter your account password, so that’d effectively prevent them from buying things against your account.
Good luck and be careful with those old computers before you sell them…