How to Delete a User on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Managing multiple accounts on Windows 11 can be helpful—especially when sharing your PC with family, coworkers, or friends. But sometimes, you may no longer need a particular user account. Maybe it’s an old work profile, a guest account, or simply a duplicate. In that case, learning how to delete a user on Windows 11 is essential.

In this guide, I’ll break it down step by step, explain different methods, and even cover what happens to the deleted user’s data. Let’s dive in!

Why Delete a User on Windows 11?

Before jumping into the steps, let’s quickly talk about why you might want to remove a user:

Free up space: User accounts store files, settings, and apps that eat up storage.
Better organization: Too many accounts can clutter your PC’s login screen.
Security reasons: Removing old or unused accounts helps keep your device secure.
Changing ownership: If you’re giving away or selling your PC, deleting accounts ensures your data stays private.

Things to Know Before Deleting a User

Deleting a user account isn’t something you should rush into. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Once deleted, all data linked to that user is gone, unless you back it up.
You need administrator rights to delete any user account.
The account currently signed in cannot be deleted—log into another admin account first.
Microsoft accounts can be removed, but it only disconnects them from the PC, not the cloud.

Step 1: Open Windows Settings

Click the Start button (Windows logo).
Select Settings (the gear icon).
Alternatively, press Windows + I on your keyboard.

This opens the main hub where you can manage accounts.

Step 2: Go to Accounts Section

In Settings, look at the left panel.
Click Accounts.
Here, you’ll see all options related to users, sign-ins, and family settings.

Step 3: Open Family & Other Users

Under Accounts, select Family & other users.
Scroll down, and you’ll see a list of accounts on your PC—both family members and local users.

This is where you’ll find the user account you want to delete.

Step 4: Select the User to Delete

Find the user account you want to remove.
Click on it, and you’ll see two options: Change account type and Remove.
Click Remove.

Step 5: Confirm Deletion

Windows will warn you that deleting this account will also delete all data associated with it. This includes documents, pictures, music, and downloads.

If you’re sure, click Delete account and data.
If not, back up the files first (explained later in this guide).

And that’s it—the account is gone!

Alternative Method 1: Delete a User via Control Panel

Yes, Control Panel still exists in Windows 11. Here’s how:

Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter.
Go to User Accounts > Remove user accounts.
Select the account you want to delete.
Choose Delete the account.
Pick whether to delete files or keep files.

This works well if you prefer the old-school way.

Alternative Method 2: Delete a User with Command Prompt

For those who love a little tech magic:

Search for Command Prompt and run as Administrator.
Type:

net user

This shows all user accounts.
To delete an account, type:

net user Username /delete

Replace Username with the actual account name.
Press Enter.

Account deleted in seconds—no clicks needed.

Alternative Method 3: Delete a User with Computer Management

Right-click the Start button and select Computer Management.
Go to Local Users and Groups > Users.
Find the account, right-click it, and select Delete.
Confirm the action.

This method is especially handy for IT administrators.

How to Back Up User Data Before Deletion

Don’t want to lose precious files? Here’s how to save them:

Sign in to the account you’re planning to delete.
Copy important files (Documents, Pictures, Downloads) to a USB drive, external hard drive, or cloud storage (OneDrive/Google Drive).
Alternatively, log in to another account with admin rights and copy the user’s files from:

C:\Users\Username

Replace Username with the account name.

Now you can delete without worries.

How to Remove a Microsoft Account on Windows 11

Microsoft accounts are slightly different from local ones. To remove them:

Open Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts.
Select the Microsoft account you want to remove.
Click Remove.

This disconnects the account from your PC but doesn’t delete your online Microsoft account.

How to Delete an Administrator Account

Yes, even admin accounts can be deleted (as long as you’re logged in to another admin account).

Open Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
Select the admin account.
Click Remove.

⚠️ Warning: Never delete your only admin account—you’ll get locked out of making important changes.

Can You Recover a Deleted User Account?

Unfortunately, once deleted, a user account cannot be restored. The only way is to create a new one and restore backed-up data.

That’s why it’s crucial to back up before deleting.

Pros of Deleting a User on Windows 11

Frees up storage space.
Simplifies the login process.
Improves system performance.
Reduces clutter from unused accounts.

Cons of Deleting a User on Windows 11

Permanent data loss if you forget to back up.
Risk of deleting the wrong account.
Can cause issues if software was installed under that account.

Tips for Managing Multiple Users

Use Family Safety settings to manage kids’ accounts.
Create a Guest Account instead of giving others permanent access.
Assign Standard User roles for non-admins to avoid accidental changes.
Regularly review accounts and remove unused ones.

When Should You Keep a User Account?

Not all accounts should be deleted. Keep them if:

It’s a backup account in case of login issues.
It’s used by multiple family members.
It has apps or settings you may need later.

Final Thoughts

Deleting a user on Windows 11 is straightforward once you know the steps. Whether you use Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt, or Computer Management, you can easily remove accounts you no longer need.

Just remember: back up data first to avoid losing important files. Done carefully, deleting unused accounts will make your PC cleaner, faster, and more secure.

FAQs

Q1: Can I delete a user account without admin rights?
No, only administrators can delete accounts on Windows 11.

Q2: Will deleting a user also delete their files?
Yes, unless you back them up manually before deletion.

Q3: Can I delete the Microsoft account I used to sign into my PC?
Yes, but you must switch to a local account or another Microsoft account first.

Q4: Is it possible to disable a user instead of deleting them?
Yes, using Computer Management, you can disable accounts temporarily.

Q5: What happens if I delete the only admin account?
You’ll lose admin access, meaning you can’t install software or change major settings. Always keep at least one admin account.