Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about deactivating Facebook from a computer:
Why would I want to deactivate Facebook?
You may want to deactivate your Facebook account to take a break from the platform or social media in general. Other reasons can include cutting back on screen time, increasing productivity, or protecting your privacy.
What happens when I deactivate my account?
Deactivating your Facebook account hides your profile and removes your name and photos from most places on Facebook. You won’t be able to post anything or react to content.
Can I reactivate my account later?
Yes, you can reactivate your Facebook account at any time by logging back in with your email and password. Your profile and all data will be restored.
How long does deactivation take?
It typically takes up to 1 hour for Facebook to fully deactivate your account across the platform. Some parts of your profile may still be visible during this time.
Will people see that I deactivated my account?
No, others will not receive a notification when you deactivate your account. Your name will simply be removed from their friends lists during the deactivation process.
Step-by-Step Guide
Deactivating your Facebook account from a computer is a straightforward process. Here is a step-by-step guide:
1. Log into Facebook
Go to www.facebook.com and log into your account using your email and password as usual. This ensures you are accessing the correct profile.
2. Access account settings
Click on the down arrow at the top right and select “Settings”. This will open up your Facebook account settings page.
3. Open Manage Account
On the left sidebar, click “Your Facebook Information”. Then click “Deactivation and Deletion”.
4. Select Deactivate Account
Click on “Deactivate Account” and follow the on-screen instructions. Facebook will walk you through the implications of deactivating.
5. Enter password and confirm
Type in your account password to confirm your identity. Click “Continue” and then “Deactivate”.
6. Wait for account to deactivate
It can take up to 1 hour for the deactivation process to complete. Log out and close your browser and come back later to verify.
What Happens When Your Account is Deactivated?
Here’s an overview of what happens when you deactivate your Facebook account:
| What Happens | Details |
|---|---|
| Profile hidden | Your profile, photos, posts, and other timeline information is hidden until the account is reactivated. |
| Name removed | Your name is removed from friends’ timelines, groups you joined, Marketplace, etc. |
| Messenger deactivated | You cannot use Facebook Messenger for chatting or calls. |
| Notifications stopped | You will stop receiving notifications from Facebook to your email or phone. |
| Apps disconnected | Any apps or websites connected to your Facebook for login or sharing will be disconnected. |
| Events removed | Any events you created or were invited to will no longer show your attendance. |
| Payments disabled | Facebook Pay and payments on Marketplace will be disabled during deactivation. |
What content remains visible?
While most of your profile is hidden, some content will still be visible even though your name is removed:
- Posts you shared publicly or with Friends of Friends
- Comments on public posts by other users
- Pages and groups you created or administer
How long until my account is deleted?
Facebook starts a 30-day countdown until permanent account deletion after deactivation. You can always reactivate your account during this time to stop deletion.
Should You Delete Your Facebook Account?
Deactivating your account simply hides your profile, while permanent deletion erase it entirely. Here are some pros and cons of deleting your Facebook account:
Pros
- Increased privacy and control over your information
- No risk of old posts resurfacing
- Less temptation to waste time on social media
- Encouragement to interact in-person more
Cons
- Lose connections with friends and family
- Miss out on events, updates, news
- Difficulty accessing Facebook-linked apps or sites
- Permanently lose photos, posts, memories
Overall, deactivating gives you a temporary break, while deletion is permanent. Think carefully before choosing to delete your account entirely.
Reactivating Your Facebook Account
If you change your mind after deactivating your account, reactivating it is easy. Just log back in at Facebook.com with your email and password. This immediately restores your account.
Things to keep in mind when reactivating an account:
- Your profile, friends, photos, posts, etc. will all be restored
- You may need to request access again to some apps or sites
- Notifications will resume being sent to your email and phone
- Any deleted posts or photos cannot be recovered
After 30 days, deactivated accounts are permanently deleted, so be sure to log back in within a month if you want to reactivate your account.
Conclusion
Deactivating your Facebook account is simple to do right from your computer. Just access your account settings, select deactivate, and confirm your password. This will hide your profile until you are ready to log back in and reactivate it.
Be thoughtful about whether full deletion is better for your needs vs a temporary deactivation. While deactivating can give you a useful break, deleting the account permanently erases your presence on Facebook.
Now you know exactly how to go about deactivating or reactivating your Facebook account from a desktop computer. Just follow the step-by-step instructions outlined above.