How to Delete User Account in Windows 11

If you regularly share a Windows 11 device with someone else, you will know the value of user accounts.

Rather than everyone having the same apps, files, and settings, you can easily keep only what’s really relevant to you.

However, there may come a time when you no longer need a specific user account. Microsoft offers options for temporary or more permanent deletions, which we’ll walk through in this article.

How to Disable a User Account in Windows 11

Disabling an account prevents anyone from logging into it, but still retains its specific files and sett ings. If you think you might want to use the account again in the future, this is the option to go for. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Log in to an administrator account if you are not already

2. In the search bar next to the start menu, type ‘computer management’

3. Click on the appropriate option to open the Computer Management application

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4. Click on “System Tools” in the left pane, then on “Local Users and Groups”

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5. Double-click the “Users” folder to open it

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6. Right-click on the user you want to deactivate, then choose “Properties”

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7. Make sure the “General” tab is selected at the top, check the box next to “Account is disabled”

8. Click ‘Apply’, then ‘OK’ to confirm

Once complete, the user account will not show up when you turn on your computer and there will be no way to log into it.

To undo this at any time, repeat the steps above, but uncheck the ‘Account is disabled’ box instead.

How to Delete a User Account in Windows 11

But if you want to go further, you can completely delete an account. All data associated with it will be deleted, including files, settings, and any downloaded apps specific to that user.

The same method works for local and Microsoft accounts:

1. Log in to an administrator account, unless you are trying to delete it. If so, use another account and a new admin will automatically be assigned.

2. Head to Settings > Accounts > Other Users

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3. Locate the account you want to delete, then click on it to expand the options

4. Next to “Account and data”, click on “Delete”

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5. In the pop-up window that appears, click “Delete account and data”

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However, you prefer to keep a user’s files just in case, there is a third option. Deleting an account through Control Panel allows you to keep a folder of their key data in File Explorer:

1. In the search bar next to the start menu, type “control panel” and open the corresponding application

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2. From the Control Panel home screen, click “User Accounts”

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3. On the next screen, click “Add or remove user accounts”

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4. Click on the account you want to delete

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5. Click on ‘Delete account’

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6. In the next screen, choose “Keep files”

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7. Click “Delete Account” to confirm

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You may also be interested in creating a guest account on Windows. Our comprehensive guide to Windows 11 also has links to all relevant tutorials.