How to Remove a User from Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 21, 2025

Need to delete a user account on your Windows 11 PC? Whether you’re tidying up after a shared device, managing family accounts, or troubleshooting a profile issue, removing a user is quick and easy—if you know where to look.

This guide walks you through every method to remove a user account safely, including using Settings, Control Panel, and Command Prompt. We’ll also cover what happens to that user’s files and permissions, so you don’t lose anything important.

Why You Might Remove a User

  • Shared computers: Clear old profiles when someone no longer needs access.

  • Fixing profile issues: Corrupted accounts can sometimes be resolved by recreating them.

  • Privacy & security: Remove accounts for users who no longer need your PC.

Before You Remove a User Account

  • Back up important files. Deleting a user permanently erases their desktop, documents, and downloads unless you save them first.

  • Sign out of the account you’re deleting. You can’t remove a user you’re currently signed into.

  • Use an administrator account. Only admins can delete user accounts.

Method 1: Remove a User via Windows Settings

This is the easiest and most common way.

Steps:

  1. Open Settings

    • Press Windows + I.

    • Click Accounts in the left sidebar.

  2. Go to Family & other users

    • Scroll down to Other users or Family members.

  3. Select the user to remove

    • Click on their name to expand options.

  4. Click Remove

    • Choose Delete account and data when prompted.

  5. Confirm deletion

    • Windows will remove the account and all associated files.

Method 2: Remove a User Using Control Panel

Windows 11 still includes the classic Control Panel for those who prefer it.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + S, type Control Panel, and open it.

  2. Go to User Accounts → Remove user accounts.

  3. Select the account you want to delete.

  4. Click Delete the account.

  5. Choose whether to Delete Files or Keep Files.

  6. Confirm your choice.

Method 3: Remove a User Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

For advanced users or troubleshooting cases, use the command line.

Using Command Prompt:

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

  2. Type the following command to list accounts:

    net user

  3. To delete a specific user, type:

    net user username /delete

    (Replace username with the actual account name.)

Using PowerShell:

  1. Open PowerShell as administrator.

  2. List accounts:

    Get-LocalUser

  3. Delete the account:

    Remove-LocalUser -Name "username"

Method 4: Use Computer Management (Pro Editions)

  1. Right-click Start and select Computer Management.

  2. Navigate to Local Users and Groups → Users.

  3. Right-click the user account → Delete.

  4. Confirm your choice.

What Happens When You Delete a User

Option Result
Delete Account & Data Removes the profile and deletes all files in their user folder.
Keep Files (Control Panel) Deletes the account but keeps files on the desktop for safekeeping.
Command Prompt Removes account completely, including files in the profile folder.

Troubleshooting & Tips

  • Can’t find Local Users and Groups? This tool isn’t available on Windows 11 Home—use Settings or Command Prompt instead.

  • Account still showing? Restart your PC; cached profiles sometimes linger until reboot.

  • Microsoft accounts: Removing a Microsoft account from Windows doesn’t delete the online account—it just unlinks it from your PC.

Conclusion

Removing a user from Windows 11 is straightforward using Settings → Accounts → Family & other users. If you prefer, you can also use Control Panel, Command Prompt, or Computer Management for the same result.

Always back up important files first, confirm you’re signed in as an administrator, and restart your PC afterward to ensure changes take effect.

FAQs

1. Will deleting a user remove their Microsoft account entirely?
No. It only unlinks the account from your PC—the online Microsoft account remains intact.

2. Can I recover a deleted local account?
Not directly. You’d need to create a new account and restore files from a backup.

3. Can I remove my own account while logged in?
No. You must log into another admin account to remove your own.

4. Does removing a user free up space?
Yes. All their files, settings, and apps are deleted, freeing disk space.

5. How do I remove a user if I forgot the admin password?
You’ll need to recover or reset the admin password first—Windows won’t allow account deletion without admin access.

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