To remove an account from Windows 11, sign in with an administrator account and go to Settings > Accounts > Other users. Select the account, select Remove next to Account and data, and confirm with Delete account and data. The account and all the files saved in it on this PC are deleted, so back up anything you need first.
Removing an account from the PC doesn’t close the person’s Microsoft account. They can still use it for email, OneDrive, and other PCs.
Applies to: Windows 11. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 24, 2026.
Before you start
- Sign in as an administrator. Only an administrator can remove other accounts.
- Sign in with a different account from the one you’re removing. Windows won’t remove the account that’s signed in. If the other account is a local one, see how to sign in to a local account in Windows 11.
- Back up their files. The account’s Desktop, Documents, Downloads, and Pictures folders on this PC are deleted. Copy anything important from
C:\Users\<their user name>to an external drive or another folder first. Files already in OneDrive stay in OneDrive.
Remove an account in Settings
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Select Accounts > Other users. On older versions of Windows 11, it’s called Family & other users.
- Under Other users, select the account you want to remove.
- Next to Account and data, select Remove.
- Read the warning, then select Delete account and data.
The account disappears from the list and from the sign-in screen.
Other ways to remove an account
Use the User Accounts window
- Press Windows + R, type
netplwiz, and press Enter. - Select the account under Users for this computer.
- Select Remove, then Yes.
Use Terminal
- Right-click Start and select Terminal (Admin).
- Type
net user "Alex Lee" /delete, replacing the name in quotes with the account’s user name, and press Enter.
This removes the account but leaves its folder in C:\Users. Delete that folder yourself once you’ve saved anything you need from it.
Use Local Users and Groups (Pro and Enterprise)
On Windows 11 Pro, press Windows + R, type lusrmgr.msc, and press Enter. Select Users, right-click the account, and select Delete. This tool isn’t available in Windows 11 Home; use Settings or Terminal there instead.
If you want to remove your own Microsoft account
You can’t remove the account you’re signed in with. To stop signing in to Windows with your Microsoft account, switch to a local account instead in Settings > Accounts > Your info > Sign in with a local account instead. See how to remove a Microsoft account in Windows 11.
If the Microsoft account was only added for apps such as Outlook or the Microsoft Store, go to Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts, select it, and choose Remove (or Manage).
If you want to remove a work or school account
Go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school, select the account, and choose Disconnect. If your organization manages the PC, you may need your IT support team to do this. See how to remove a work or school account from Windows 11.
Remove an email or app account instead
If the account you want gone is only used for email, calendar, or another app, it isn’t a Windows user, and it won’t appear under Other users. Open Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts, select the account under Accounts used by email, calendar, and contacts or Accounts used by other apps, and choose Remove. Your Windows sign-in stays the same.
Delete a leftover user folder
Removing an account normally deletes its folder in C:\Users. If a folder is left behind, don’t just delete it in File Explorer. Instead, press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter. On the Advanced tab, under User Profiles, select Settings, choose the old profile, and select Delete. This removes the folder and the matching registry entries together.
Remove the PC from your Microsoft account
If you’re selling or giving away the PC, also remove it from your Microsoft account online. Sign in at account.microsoft.com/devices, find the PC, and select Remove device. This stops it from appearing in your device list and in Find my device.
If you can’t remove an account
- There’s no Remove button: you’re not signed in as an administrator. Sign in with an administrator account, or ask the PC’s owner.
- The account isn’t under Other users: it may be a family member. Check Settings > Accounts > Family.
- It’s the last administrator account: make another account an administrator first. Select that account in Other users, choose Change account type, and pick Administrator.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I remove a Microsoft account from Windows 11?
Its sign-in and files are removed from this PC only. The Microsoft account itself, with its email, OneDrive files, and purchases, isn’t deleted. The person can sign in to it on other devices or add it back to this PC later. To reach those files on another PC, sign in to OneDrive on Windows 11 with the same Microsoft account.
Can I remove an account but keep its files?
Not with the Settings method. Copy the files out of C:\Users\<their user name> first. The Terminal method removes the account but leaves the folder, which you can then keep or delete.
Can I delete the built-in Administrator account?
No. Windows has a hidden built-in Administrator account that can’t be deleted, but it’s turned off by default. If someone turned it on, you can turn it off again by running net user Administrator /active:no in Terminal as an administrator.
Why is the account still on the sign-in screen?
Restart the PC. If it’s still there, check Accounts > Email & accounts and Access work or school for a leftover connection.
Before you sell or give away the PC, see how to reset Windows 11.
To add someone instead, see how to add another user in Windows 11. Microsoft’s guide is Manage user accounts in Windows. More help is on our Windows 11 Help & Guides page.
Related: How to remove Microsoft Family Safety in Windows 11.
Related: change the Microsoft account in Windows 11.
Related: add a guest account on Windows 11.
Related: stop someone accessing your computer remotely.
Related: How to Rename User Folder in Windows 11.
Related: how to remove an organization from Windows 11.
Related: how to sign out of a Microsoft account in Windows 11.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.