How to Delete User Account in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 4, 2025

Managing user accounts in Windows 11 is an essential skill—whether you’re cleaning up old profiles, removing unused accounts, or troubleshooting problems. If your computer has multiple user accounts that you no longer need, deleting them can free up space, improve performance, and keep your PC organized.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to delete a user account in Windows 11 step by step, covering multiple methods, tips, and FAQs so you can confidently manage your system.

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • Windows 11 lets you delete user accounts through Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt, and PowerShell.

  • Always back up important files before deleting an account, as this process can permanently remove data.

  • Administrator rights are required to delete another user’s account.

  • Guest accounts, local accounts, and Microsoft accounts can all be removed, but steps differ slightly.

  • Use this guide to safely clean up your PC and optimize performance.

Why Would You Want to Delete a User Account in Windows 11?

Before we dive into the steps, let’s consider a few reasons why deleting user accounts makes sense:

  • Free up disk space: Each user profile stores documents, pictures, apps, and temporary files.

  • Improve performance: Fewer accounts mean fewer background services running.

  • Enhance security: Removing unused accounts minimizes potential entry points for hackers.

  • Simplify management: If you’re the only one using the device, extra accounts just add clutter.

Think of it like spring-cleaning your digital home—removing unnecessary rooms keeps things neat and efficient.

Prerequisites Before Deleting a User Account

You can’t just delete an account without a few preparations. Here’s what you need:

  • ✅ Administrator privileges — Only admins can remove other accounts.

  • ✅ Backups — Copy files you want to keep onto an external drive, cloud storage, or another folder.

  • ✅ Signed out user — Make sure the account you want to delete is signed out of Windows.

⚠️ Warning: Once deleted, all files, settings, and apps linked to that account will be permanently lost unless backed up.

Methods to Delete a User Account in Windows 11

There are several ways to delete a user account. Let’s go through each method in detail.

1. How to Delete a User Account via Settings

The Settings app in Windows 11 is the most user-friendly method.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to Accounts > Family & other users.

  3. Under Other users, find the account you want to delete.

  4. Click Remove.

  5. Confirm by clicking Delete account and data.

That’s it! The account and all its files are now removed.

2. How to Delete a User Account Using Control Panel

For those familiar with older versions of Windows, the Control Panel is still available.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter.

  2. Navigate to User Accounts > Remove user accounts.

  3. Select the user account you want to delete.

  4. Click Delete the account.

  5. Choose whether to keep files or delete files.

  6. Confirm your choice.

This method gives you an option to keep user files in a folder on your desktop.

3. How to Delete a User Account with Command Prompt

If you love typing commands, Command Prompt offers a quick solution.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + S, type cmd, then right-click Command Prompt > Run as administrator.

  2. Type the following command and press Enter:

    net user

    This displays all user accounts.

  3. To delete a specific account, type:

    net user Username /delete

    Replace Username with the actual account name.

4. How to Delete a User Account with PowerShell

PowerShell is another powerful option.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).

  2. List all users with this command:

    Get-LocalUser

  3. To delete an account, type:

    Remove-LocalUser -Name "Username"

    Replace Username with the account’s actual name.

5. How to Delete a Microsoft Account from Windows 11

If the user account is linked to a Microsoft account, you can still remove it:

  1. Open Settings > Accounts > Your info.

  2. If signed in with a Microsoft account, switch to a local account first.

  3. Once signed out, go to Accounts > Family & other users.

  4. Select the Microsoft account and click Remove.

This disconnects the Microsoft account from your PC without affecting the account online.

6. How to Delete an Admin Account in Windows 11

You may want to remove an extra administrator account.

Steps:

  1. Sign in with another admin account.

  2. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.

  3. Select the admin account you want to delete.

  4. Click Remove > Delete account and data.

⚠️ Important: You can’t delete the only administrator account—Windows requires at least one admin on the system.

7. How to Delete a Guest Account in Windows 11

Windows 11 doesn’t come with a traditional guest account by default, but if you’ve created one:

  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).

  2. Run:

    net user guest /active:no

  3. To fully delete it:

    net user guest /delete

Comparison Table: Methods to Delete a User Account in Windows 11

Method Difficulty Best For
Settings Easy Beginners, everyday use
Control Panel Easy Users familiar with older Windows
Command Prompt Medium Power users, quick execution
PowerShell Medium Admins, IT professionals

Things to Do After Deleting a User Account

  • 🗑️ Clean up leftover files in C:\Users\.

  • ⚙️ Reassign permissions if that account owned shared files or folders.

  • 👤 Create a new local account if you need to replace the deleted one.

  • 🔐 Check security settings to ensure no ghost accounts remain.

Troubleshooting: Why Can’t I Delete a User Account in Windows 11?

Sometimes, you may face issues. Here are common problems:

  • Account is still signed in → Sign out first or restart the PC.

  • You don’t have admin rights → Switch to an administrator account.

  • It’s the only admin account → Create another admin account before deletion.

  • System error messages → Try using Command Prompt or PowerShell instead.

Best Practices for Managing User Accounts in Windows 11

  • Keep one primary admin account for safety.

  • Use local accounts for temporary users.

  • Regularly review and delete unused accounts.

  • Encourage family members to back up important files before removal.

Think of it as managing keys to your house—only give them to people who actually need access.

Conclusion

Deleting a user account in Windows 11 isn’t complicated once you know the steps. Whether you prefer using Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt, or PowerShell, the process is straightforward as long as you have admin privileges.

Just remember: back up important files before deletion, and always keep at least one administrator account active on your PC.

By following this guide, you’ll keep your system organized, secure, and running smoothly.

❓ FAQs About Deleting User Accounts in Windows 11

1. Can I delete the only administrator account on my PC?
No, Windows requires at least one administrator account. Create another admin first.

2. Will deleting a user account also delete their files?
Yes, unless you choose to keep them during deletion (via Control Panel). Always back up first.

3. Can I delete my Microsoft account entirely from Windows 11?
Yes, but only after signing out and switching to a local account. The Microsoft account itself remains online.

4. Is it possible to recover a deleted account?
Not directly. Once deleted, the account is gone. You can restore files only if you had backups.

5. How many user accounts can I have on Windows 11?
Technically, there’s no strict limit, but too many accounts can slow down performance.

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