how to remove an old windows account from this computer

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:

4. Open Settings > Accounts > Access work or school
5. Select the old account
6. Select Disconnect
7. 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.

8. Open Control Panel
9. Select System
10. Select Advanced system settings
11. In User Profiles, select Settings
12. Select the old profile
13. 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

• Manage User Accounts in Windows
• Delete a user profile in Windows
• Remove a profile
• Change From a Local Account to a Microsoft Account in Windows
• How do I remove a microsoft account that I no longer have access to? - Microsoft Q&A