how to remove an old windows account from this computer

Yip Ivan 0 Reputation points
2026-08-31T17:22:33.5733333+00:00

I want to delete the original windows 11 account/profile that I used when I first installed windows on this computer. The original account was linked to an email that I no longer have. The old account keeps causing me problems when I sign in. I want to get it totally off of this computer.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Accounts, profiles, and login
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  1. Clary-N 15,375 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-09-01T01:01:12.0166667+00:00

    Hi Yip Ivan,

    I’m following up to see how things went after you tried the steps in the AI Answer. Were you able to remove the old account and can you now sign in normally with the account you want to keep?

    If the issue continues, please check whether the old account still appears on the Windows sign-in screen or under Settings > Accounts > Other users, Email & accounts or Access work or school. Please also confirm that the account you are keeping shows Administrator and let me know whether the old profile folder is still present under C:\Users.

    If you receive an error or sign-in prompt, please share the exact message and explain when it appears. You may also include a screenshot, but please hide email addresses, usernames, device details, BitLocker recovery keys and other personal information first.

    With those details, I can help identify the remaining account connection and advise the most appropriate next step.

    If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-31T17:22:51.0533333+00:00

    To remove the old Windows 11 account and its profile from the computer, use this order:

    1. Sign in to the account that will be kept, not the old one.
    2. If there are files needed from the old profile, copy them first from C:\Users\old-profile-name to the profile that will be kept.
    3. Remove the old Windows account from the device:
      • Open Settings
      • Go to Accounts > Other user
      • Under Other users, select the old account
      • Next to Account and data, select Remove

    This removes that person’s sign-in information and data from the device. It does not delete the Microsoft account itself.

    If the old account is still connected as a work or school account and keeps prompting for sign-in:

    1. Open Settings > Accounts > Access work or school
    2. Select the old account
    3. Select Disconnect
    4. Confirm with Yes

    This disconnects the account from the device and removes its sign-in information and data from the device.

    If the old profile still remains on the PC after the account is removed, delete the user profile separately. This requires administrator rights.

    1. Open Control Panel
    2. Select System
    3. Select Advanced system settings
    4. In User Profiles, select Settings
    5. Select the old profile
    6. Select Delete

    If the old account is an Outlook profile rather than a Windows sign-in profile, remove it in Outlook:

    • File > Account Settings > Manage Profiles
    • Select Show Profiles
    • Select the old profile, then Remove

    Deleting an Outlook profile removes the email accounts stored in that profile. Outlook may warn that offline data will be removed, but .pst files remain on the computer.

    If the current Windows sign-in is still tied to the old Microsoft account, switch it first:

    • Open Settings > Accounts > Your info
    • Select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead if the current account is local

    That moves the kept Windows account to a Microsoft account sign-in.

    References

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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