How to replace a Windows account on the same computer?

Arianna Toma | 4Leading 0 Reputation points
2026-09-12T10:34:03.2+00:00

Hi,

I've recently changed job but my manager allowed me to keep my old laptop that I used to have for work. Now, I would like to remove my old Windows work account and replace it with my personal one and then buy a new MS Office 365 personal licence.

However, every time I try to delete my old Windows account, MS keeps asking me to login, which is impossible to me because, Im not using my old work account any longer!

Therefore, how can I delete my Windows work account from my PC???

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Accounts, profiles, and login
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  1. Marcin Policht 107K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-09-12T11:11:59.1633333+00:00

    If the laptop is now legitimately yours and you no longer need the organization's access, you can remove the work connection from Windows and then use your personal Microsoft account.

    First, go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school. Select the old work account/organization connection and choose Disconnect. Windows may warn that removing the connection will remove access to organizational resources. That is expected. If it asks you to authenticate with the old work account and you cannot, do not keep trying to use that account.

    If the old work account is actually the Windows sign-in account rather than merely an organizational connection, the approach is different. You generally cannot remove the only administrator account while you are logged into it. Instead, create a new local administrator account or sign in with an existing personal administrator account first. Go to Settings > Accounts > Other users > Add account, choose I don't have this person's sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account. Create your personal/local account, change its account type to Administrator, and sign into that account.

    Once you have confirmed that the new account works and has administrator privileges, return to Settings > Accounts > Other users, select the old work account, and choose Remove > Delete account and data. This removes that Windows profile from the PC. Be careful because deleting the profile also deletes files stored only in that user's Windows profile, such as files under C:\Users\<old-user>.

    Afterward, you can connect your personal Microsoft account under Settings > Accounts > Your info and use that account for Windows. You can then purchase Microsoft 365 Personal and install Office using the same personal Microsoft account. You do not need your former employer's Microsoft 365 license to do this.

    If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

    hth

    Marcin

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-12T10:34:19.4+00:00

    Use these steps to remove the old work account from the device and then switch Windows to a personal account:

    1. Remove the old work account from Windows
      • Open Settings > Accounts > Access work or school.
      • Select the old work account.
      • Select Disconnect.
      • Confirm with Yes.
      This removes the work account’s sign-in information and data from the device. It does not delete the account itself.
    2. If the old account is the Windows sign-in account, switch it first
      • Open Settings > Accounts > Your info.
      • Select Sign in with a local account instead.
      • Enter a new local username, password, and password hint.
      • Select Next > Sign out and finish.
      • Sign back in with the new local account.
      Warning: if using a local account, create a password reset disk. If the password is forgotten and no reset disk exists, the password cannot be recovered.
    3. After signing in with the local account, connect the personal Microsoft account
      • Open Settings > Accounts > Your info.
      • Select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.
      • Follow the prompts to sign in with the personal Microsoft account.
    4. If the old work account still appears as a connected account
      • Go back to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school.
      • Select the account and choose Disconnect again if it is still listed.

    If access to the old work account is no longer possible, the important step is Disconnect under Access work or school. That removes the device connection even when the old organization account can no longer be used.

    References:

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

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