Managing accounts on your Windows 11 computer is sometimes necessary. Maybe you created a temporary account that you don’t need anymore. Or perhaps you’re cleaning up old profiles that are taking up valuable storage space. Whatever the case, learning how to delete an account on Windows 11 is a handy skill that keeps your PC organized and clutter-free.
The good news? It’s easier than you think. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you different ways to remove accounts—whether it’s a local user account, a Microsoft account, or even an administrator account. Let’s dive in.
Why Delete an Account in Windows 11?
Before jumping to the steps, you might be wondering: Why would I need to delete an account?
Here are the most common reasons:
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Freeing Up Space – Old accounts often leave behind large user profile folders.
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Security Concerns – Removing unused accounts prevents unauthorized access.
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Reducing Clutter – Fewer accounts mean simpler sign-in options.
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Changing Ownership – If you’re giving away your PC, you’ll want to clear old profiles.
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Resetting Accounts – Sometimes deleting and recreating an account fixes permission issues.
Important Things to Know Before Deleting an Account
Deleting an account isn’t something you should rush into. Here are a few key things to keep in mind:
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Backup Data First – Any documents, photos, or files stored in that account’s profile will be deleted.
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Admin Privileges Needed – You must be logged in as an administrator to remove another account.
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Primary Account Can’t Be Removed – You can’t delete the account currently logged in.
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Microsoft Accounts Get Disconnected – Removing a Microsoft account from Windows 11 doesn’t delete the account itself—it just unlinks it from your PC.
Think of it like cleaning out a closet: make sure you don’t accidentally throw away something valuable.
Method 1: Delete a Local Account via Settings
The easiest way to delete an account in Windows 11 is through the Settings app.
Step 1: Open Settings
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Press Win + I to launch the Settings app.
Step 2: Navigate to Accounts
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Go to Accounts > Family & other users.
Step 3: Select the Account
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Under Other users, find the account you want to delete.
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Click on it, then select Remove.
Step 4: Confirm Deletion
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A prompt will appear warning you that files and data will be deleted.
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Click Delete account and data.
And that’s it—the account is gone!
Method 2: Delete a Microsoft Account from Windows 11
If the account you want to remove is a Microsoft account, the process is similar.
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Open Settings (Win + I).
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Go to Accounts > Your Info.
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Select Sign in with a local account instead (this allows switching accounts if needed).
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Then head to Accounts > Family & other users.
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Select the Microsoft account → Remove → confirm with Delete account and data.
Remember, this only removes the Microsoft account from your PC—it doesn’t delete the actual Microsoft account itself. You can still use it to sign in on other devices.
Method 3: Delete an Account Using Control Panel
Old-school users might prefer the Control Panel method.
Step 1: Open Control Panel
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Press Win + S, type Control Panel, and hit Enter.
Step 2: Go to User Accounts
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Click User Accounts > Remove user accounts.
Step 3: Select the Account
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Pick the account you want to remove.
Step 4: Confirm Deletion
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Choose Delete the account.
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You can either delete files or keep them saved in a folder on your desktop.
This method is handy if you like the classic Windows interface.
Method 4: Delete a User Account with Command Prompt
For advanced users, Command Prompt provides another way.
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Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
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Press Win + S, type
cmd, right-click, and select Run as administrator.
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Type the following command to list accounts:
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To delete an account, type:
(Replace “username” with the actual account name.)
Method 5: Delete a User Account with PowerShell
PowerShell is another powerful option.
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Open PowerShell as Administrator.
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Press Win + X → select Windows Terminal (Admin).
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Type the following command:
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Then remove an account with:
This method is great for system admins managing multiple users.
Method 6: Delete an Account from User Profiles
Sometimes you might want to delete an account’s profile data without removing the account itself.
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Press Win + R, type:
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In the User Profiles section, click Settings.
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Select the profile you want to delete.
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Click Delete.
This removes files but doesn’t delete the account login.
Method 7: Remove a Work or School Account
If your PC is linked to a work or school account, here’s how to remove it:
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Open Settings > Accounts > Access work or school.
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Select the account you want to remove.
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Click Disconnect.
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Confirm by selecting Yes.
Method 8: Delete the Administrator Account
Deleting an administrator account is possible, but only if there’s at least one other admin account available.
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Log in with another admin account.
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Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
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Select the admin account you want to remove.
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Click Remove → Delete account and data.
⚠️ Be careful—if you delete the only admin account, you’ll lose the ability to make system-wide changes.
Method 9: Use Safe Mode for Stubborn Accounts
Sometimes an account refuses to be deleted due to errors. In that case:
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Restart your PC in Safe Mode.
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Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now.
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Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
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Select Safe Mode with Networking.
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Once logged in, repeat the Settings or Control Panel method to remove the account.
Tips to Avoid Issues When Deleting Accounts
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Always back up important data before removing accounts.
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Keep at least one admin account active.
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If you’re selling your PC, consider factory resetting instead of deleting accounts one by one.
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Use temporary guest accounts instead of creating multiple permanent ones.
Conclusion
Learning how to delete an account on Windows 11 is simple once you know the steps. Whether you’re removing a local account, a Microsoft account, or even an administrator account, there are multiple methods—Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt, PowerShell, and more.
Just remember: always back up your data before deleting, and never remove the only admin account. With this guide, you’ll have full control over your system’s accounts and keep things clean, secure, and organized.
FAQs
Q1: Can I delete my own account while logged in?
No, you must log in with another admin account to delete your own.
Q2: Does deleting a Microsoft account from Windows 11 delete the actual account?
No, it just unlinks it from your PC. The Microsoft account still exists online.
Q3: What happens to files when I delete an account?
All personal files linked to that account are deleted unless you choose to save them first.
Q4: Can I delete the only administrator account?
No, Windows requires at least one administrator account to remain active.
Q5: Is factory reset better than deleting accounts one by one?
Yes, if you’re giving away or selling your PC, a factory reset is the cleaner option.