How to Delete a User Account in Windows 11

Managing Windows 11 user accounts is a critical aspect of system administration, especially when multiple people use the same computer. There are various reasons you might need to delete a user account: maybe the account is no longer needed, you're preparing to give the computer to someone else, or you simply want to clean up old accounts that are no longer in use. Regardless of the reason, Windows 11 offers several ways to remove user accounts, each suited to different needs and technical comfort levels.

The Need for Deleting Windows User Accounts

User accounts in Windows 11 represent individual user spaces with personalized settings, files, and applications. While having separate accounts is beneficial for privacy and customization, there comes a time when certain accounts become redundant or unnecessary. This could be due to users no longer needing access, system reorganization, or security reasons. Deleting these accounts helps in decluttering the system, freeing up storage space, and maintaining privacy and security.

In this tutorial, we'll explore each method in detail, ensuring that you can confidently and safely delete user accounts from your Windows 11 system, whether you're a beginner or an advanced user. The steps will be accompanied by important notes and tips to help you understand the implications of each action and choose the method that best suits your needs.

The Difference Between Local and Microsoft Accounts in Windows 11

In Windows 11, there are two primary types of user accounts: Local and Microsoft accounts, each with distinct characteristics:

1. Local Accounts: These are traditional user accounts specific to the computer. They don't require internet connectivity to set up or use. Local accounts are independent of Microsoft's online services, meaning they don't sync data across devices. When deleting a local account, you're removing it only from the specific machine, without affecting any online Microsoft services or data stored in other devices.

2. Microsoft Accounts: These are integrated with Microsoft's online services (like Outlook, OneDrive, and the Microsoft Store). A Microsoft account allows for syncing settings, preferences, and files across multiple devices. Deleting a Microsoft account from a specific computer doesn't delete the account itself; it only removes it from that computer. The account remains active and can be used to log in to other devices or access Microsoft's online services.

When you want to delete a user account in Windows, the process differs slightly depending on the account type. Deleting a local account is straightforward and confined to the local machine. However, removing a Microsoft account from a device doesn't deactivate the account itself; it merely disassociates it from that specific computer, with the account and data remaining accessible elsewhere.

How To Delete a Windows 11 User Account via Settings

This method is ideal for users seeking a straightforward and intuitive way to delete an account. Using the Settings app, you can easily navigate through a graphical interface to remove a user account. This approach is perfect for those who prefer simplicity and a visual process, suitable for users of all skill levels.

1. Open Settings via the Start menu or using the hotkey “Windows + I”
    
   
   
2. Head to “Accounts” and open “Family & other users”
    
   
   
3. Tap the button on the right of the user name and click “Remove”
    
   
   
4. Click “Delete account and data” to confirm
    
   When you click “Delete account and data” while deleting a Windows account, it means that the user account along with all the data associated with it will be permanently removed from the system. This includes personal files, settings, apps, and any other data stored in that user's profile. Once you confirm this action, Windows will proceed to delete the account and all its associated data, making recovery of this data difficult without specialized software. It's important to ensure that any important data is backed up before opting for this choice, as it results in complete and irreversible removal of the user's information from the computer.
    
   

How To Delete a Windows 11 User Account via Control Panel

The Control Panel offers a more traditional approach to deleting Windows user accounts. It's a good choice for users who are accustomed to the classic Windows interface and provides additional options, like keeping files from the deleted account.

1. Open the “Control Panel” via Windows 11 search
    
   
   
2. Click “User Accounts”
    
   
   
3. Select “Remove user accounts”
    
   
   
4. Select the account you want to delete
    
   
   
5. Click “Delete the account”
    
   
   
6. Choose to “Delete Files” or “Keep Files” of the deleted Windows account
    
   
   • Delete Files: This option will permanently delete all the files stored in the user's profile. This includes documents, photos, music, and other personal files, along with the user's settings and installed applications. Once this option is selected and the process is completed, these files cannot be recovered easily.
   • Keep Files: Choosing this option will delete the user account but save the user's files. Windows will typically move these files to a folder on your desktop, named after the deleted account. This way, you can access the files even after the account is removed, preserving important data while still removing the user account.
      
     
     
     

How To Remove a Windows 11 User Account with Computer Management

This method is tailored for users who require a more comprehensive tool for system management. Computer Management provides an in-depth interface for handling various system tasks, including user account deletion, making it ideal for administrators and advanced users.

1. Open Windows 11 “Computer Management”
    
   
   
2. Switch to “Local Users and Groups” – “Users”
    
   
   
3. Select the account you want to delete, click “More Actions” and then “Delete”
    
   
   
4. Confirm with “Yes”
    
   

   The message you see when deleting a user account via “Computer Management” in Windows is warning you about the implications of deleting a user account:

   • Unique Identifier: Every user account in Windows has a unique identifier (known as a Security Identifier or SID) beyond just the user name. This SID is crucial for managing permissions and access rights within the system.

   • Deleting the Account: When you delete a user account, its associated SID is also deleted. This means that any permissions, rights, or accesses specifically tied to that SID are lost.

   • Irreversible Action: If you create a new account with the same username as the deleted account, it will not have the same SID. Therefore, the new account won't automatically regain the permissions and access rights of the deleted account.

   • Access to Resources: The deletion could impact the user's (or any automated processes') ability to access certain system resources that were previously available, as those accesses are tied to the original SID.
      

     

How to Remove a Microsoft Account From Windows 11 via netplwiz

Using netplwiz to remove a Microsoft account or a local account on Windows 11 is a lesser-known but effective method. It's particularly useful for quickly managing user accounts without navigating through several settings screens, appealing to users who favor efficiency and direct control.

The term “netplwiz” stands for “Network Places Wizard”. However, despite its name, this tool in Windows is primarily used for managing user accounts, particularly for tasks like adding, removing, or changing the properties of user accounts on a computer. It's not directly related to network settings or configurations, despite what the name might imply. This tool offers a convenient interface for administrators and users to manage account settings without navigating through the standard Control Panel or Settings menus.

1. Open the Network Places Wizard searching for “netplwiz”
    
   
   
2. Select the Windows 11 account you want to delete and click “Remove”
    
   
   
3. Confirm with “Yes”
    
   

How To Delete a Windows 11 User Account via PowerShell

PowerShell is a powerful tool for users comfortable with command-line interfaces and scripting. This method allows for advanced management of user accounts, including deletion, and is best suited for system administrators and tech-savvy users who prefer a scriptable environment.

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator
    
   
   
2. Run the command “Get-LocalUser” to get the Windows account name as it used in the system
    
   
   
3. Delete the Windows 11 account with “Remove-LocalUser”
    
   Run the following command, replacing UserName with the actual username of the account you want to delete:
    
   

   Remove-LocalUser -Name "UserName"

    
   

How To Delete a User Account in Windows 10 via Command Prompt

Deleting a user account via Command Prompt is another command-line approach, favored for its simplicity and directness. This method is ideal for users who are comfortable with basic command-line operations and seek a quick, no-frills process.

1. Open “Command Prompt” as administrator
    
   
   
2. Run the command “net users” to see all user accounts
    
   
   
3. Delete the local Windows account with “net user”
    
   Run the following command, replacing UserName with the actual username of the account you want to delete:
    

   net user "UserName" /delete

    
   
   

4. Optional: Delete a Windows account from a domain with “net user”
    
   Run the following command, replacing UserName with the actual username of the account you want to delete:
    

   net user "UserName" /delete /domain

    
   This command, on the other hand, is used to delete a user account from a domain. It's applicable in a networked environment where the computer is part of a Windows domain. This command must be run with appropriate domain administrative privileges and will delete the user account from the entire domain, not just from the local machine.
    
   

How to Delete a User Profile from the Registry and System Properties in Windows 11

A Windows 11 / Windows 10 user profile and a user account are two separate, but somewhat linked concepts. Though a user profile is created when an account is added to a PC, it's not always removed when you delete a user account in Windows 10. Likewise, you can remove a user profile without deleting the account from Windows 11 and the login screen. Deleting a user profile in Windows 11, as shown in detail in our other guide, can be a strong method to reset an account to defaults without the hassle of deleting and adding it again.
 

Extra: How to Add a User Account on Windows 11

Creating a new user account on Windows 11, whether it's a local account or a Microsoft account, can enhance your computing experience by offering a more personalized, secure, and organized usage. Our other tutorial will guide you through the steps to add a new user account to your Windows 11 system, covering both Microsoft and local account options.
 

How to Delete an Administrator Account in Windows 11

To delete an administrator account, you need to be logged in as another user with administrative privileges. You cannot delete an account you are currently logged into. If you have just one administrator account on Windows, you will either have to change a normal user to administrator, or create a new user account with administrator rights. You then can log into that separate administrator account and delete the other one with any of the methods shown above.

Extra: How to Change a Normal User to Administrator

Since you're already managing your Microsoft accounts, this guide on how to change a normal user to an administrator may be of use. We show many ways to achieve the goal that will work on both Windows 11 and Windows 10.
 

Extra: How to Change a Username / Account Name in Windows

There are different reasons why you might want to change a username in Windows. Maybe your real name has changed and you need to reflect this change in Windows as well. Or you have been using a nickname and want to do a username change to your real name. You may also want to change the name of the built-in administrator account for security reasons. Our other guide will explain you in detail how to change the username of an  exisiting Windows account.