Microsoft refunds depend on what you bought and how long ago

Microsoft gives refunds for most purchases within 60 days if you request them through your account. The process is fastest if you bought the item through the Microsoft Store or your Microsoft account directly. Games, apps, and in-game content have stricter rules — some cannot be refunded at all if you have already used them. Subscriptions like Game Pass or Microsoft 365 can be refunded if you cancel before the billing date, but refunds for used time are rare.

The refund window and your chances of approval depend on the product category. A movie or ebook bought three weeks ago is straightforward. A game you downloaded and played for five hours is not. Microsoft's system checks what you bought, when, and whether you have already consumed it.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Microsoft Store purchases can be refunded within 60 days if requested through your account, but games and apps have stricter limits once downloaded or installed.
  • Refunds for subscriptions like Game Pass or Microsoft 365 are possible only if you cancel before the next billing date, not for time already used.
  • The fastest way to request a refund is through your Microsoft account order history or the Microsoft Store app, not by calling support.
  • If your refund is denied, you can appeal through the same support page, and Microsoft will review your case within a few business days.

Refunds for apps, games, and in-game content

Apps and games downloaded from the Microsoft Store have a 60-day refund window, but only if you have not launched them or have used them very little. Once you install and run a game, Microsoft assumes you have tested it and may deny the refund. In-game purchases — cosmetics, battle passes, currency — almost never get refunded once spent, even within 60 days. Microsoft treats these as consumed immediately.

If you bought a game by mistake or it will not run on your device, request the refund before you launch it. If you have already played it, explain the technical issue in your refund request. Microsoft sometimes makes exceptions for games that crash on startup or have compatibility problems, but do not expect a refund for "I did not like it" after you have played for hours.

Refunds for movies, ebooks, and other media

Movies, ebooks, and audiobooks bought through Microsoft have a 60-day refund window and are easier to refund than games because Microsoft does not track whether you watched or read them. You can request a refund for any reason within 60 days. After 60 days, refunds are not available.

If you bought a movie or ebook and changed your mind the next day, you have a straightforward path to a refund. Microsoft does not require you to explain why. The refund will go back to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days.

How to request a refund through your Microsoft account

Go to your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com and sign in. Click "Your info" or "Purchases" depending on your account layout, then find "Order history" or "Subscriptions and services." Locate the purchase you want to refund, click it, and look for a "Request a refund" button or link. If the button appears, click it and choose a reason from the list Microsoft provides.

Microsoft will show you whether the item is refundable based on the product type and how long ago you bought it. If the button does not appear, the refund window has closed or the product is not refundable. After you submit the request, you will see a confirmation page. Microsoft reviews most refund requests within 24 to 48 hours and sends you an email with the decision.

If you bought the item through the Microsoft Store app on Windows, you can also request a refund directly from the app. Open the app, go to your library or account settings, find the purchase, and select "Request a refund." The process is the same as the website.

Refunds for Microsoft 365 and Game Pass subscriptions

Subscriptions like Microsoft 365, Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate can be refunded only if you cancel before the next billing date. Microsoft will not refund you for time you have already used. If you signed up for a monthly subscription on the 15th and want to cancel on the 20th, you can cancel and get a refund for the unused portion only if you cancel before the 15th of the next month.

To cancel and request a refund, go to account.microsoft.com, find the subscription under "Subscriptions and services," and click "Manage." Look for a "Cancel subscription" or "Turn off recurring billing" option. When you cancel, Microsoft will ask if you want a refund. Choose yes, and the refund will process within 5 to 10 business days. If you have already been charged for the next month, you can still request a refund for that charge within 60 days of the purchase date.

What to do if your refund request is denied

If Microsoft denies your refund, you will receive an email explaining why. Common reasons include: the 60-day window has passed, you have used the product heavily, or the product category does not allow refunds. You can appeal the decision by replying to the email or going back to the order history page and selecting "Appeal this decision" if that option appears.

When you appeal, explain your situation clearly. If you believe the product is defective, describe the technical problem. If you think the refund window should not have closed, explain the circumstances. Microsoft will review your appeal within a few business days. If the second decision is still no, that is usually final, but you can contact Microsoft Support by phone or chat if you believe there was an error in how your case was reviewed.

Refunds for Xbox and Windows Store purchases

Purchases made through Xbox (games, Game Pass, in-game content) and the Windows Store follow the same 60-day rule as the Microsoft Store, but the refund process is slightly different. For Xbox purchases, sign in at xbox.com, go to your account, find "Purchase history," and click the item you want to refund. Select "Request a refund" and choose your reason.

Windows Store purchases use the same Microsoft account system as the Microsoft Store, so you can request refunds through account.microsoft.com. The refund window and rules are identical: 60 days for most items, stricter limits for apps and games you have used, and no refunds for in-game spending once consumed.

How long refunds take and where the money goes

Most Microsoft refunds process within 5 to 10 business days after approval. The money goes back to your original payment method — the credit card, debit card, or PayPal account you used to buy the item. If you paid with a gift card, the refund goes back to your Microsoft account as store credit, not to the original gift card.

If you do not see the refund after 10 business days, check your bank or card issuer. Sometimes refunds take longer to appear on your statement than Microsoft's timeline suggests. If your bank says it has not received the refund, contact Microsoft Support with your order number and refund confirmation email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refund a game I have already played for several hours?

Probably not. Microsoft's policy treats games as consumed once you launch them, especially if you have played for more than a few minutes. If the game crashes on startup or has a technical problem, explain that in your refund request — Microsoft sometimes makes exceptions for defective products. Otherwise, expect denial.

What if I bought something with a gift card and want a refund?

The refund goes back to your Microsoft account as store credit, not to the original gift card. You can use that credit to buy something else from the Microsoft Store, or you can contact Microsoft Support to ask if they can refund it to your payment method instead, though this is not may provide.

Do I lose my Game Pass games if I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. If you cancel Game Pass and receive a refund, you lose access to all games in the Game Pass library immediately. Games you own outright (purchased, not part of the subscription) remain on your account. Only the subscription benefit ends.

How do I refund an in-game purchase like a cosmetic or battle pass?

In-game purchases are almost never refundable once spent, even within 60 days. Microsoft treats these as consumed immediately. Your best option is to contact the game developer's support team directly — some games have their own refund policies separate from Microsoft's. Otherwise, the purchase is final.

What if Microsoft's website shows no refund button for my purchase?

The refund window has likely closed, or the product is not refundable. Check the purchase date — if it is more than 60 days old, you are outside the window. If it is within 60 days and no button appears, the product category (like in-game content) may not allow refunds. Contact Microsoft Support with your order number to confirm.