How to delete an account on Windows 11

On Windows 11, having multiple accounts lets you create a separate space for everyone using the computer without interfering with your experience. However, when the account is no longer needed, it's possible to delete it in several ways, including through the Settings app, Control Panel, User Account, Computer Management, Control Panel, and PowerShell. 

If you have to restrict access to a user temporarily, you don't need to delete the account. Instead, you should disable the user on Windows 11.

This guide will walk you through the different ways to delete accounts on Windows 11.

How to delete an account on Windows 11

To delete an account and data with the Setting app on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Accounts.
3. Click the Other users page on the right side.

4. Select the account and click the Remove button.

5. Click the "Delete account and data" button.

Once you complete the steps, the account and data files from the user will be erased from the system.

How to delete an account using Control Panel

To delete account and files with Control Panel, use these steps:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click on User Accounts.

3. Click the "Remove user accounts" option.

4. Select the account to remove.
5. Click the "Delete the account" option.

6. Click the Delete Files button to delete the account and files.

7. Click the Keep files button to delete the account, keeping the files in the profile folder.
8. Click the Delete Account button.

After you complete the steps, the account will be removed from Windows 11.

How to delete an account using Computer Management

To remove an account with Computer Management, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Computer Management and click the top result to open Computer Management.
3. Browse the following path: Computer Management > System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users
4. Right-click the user and select the Delete option.

5. Click the Yes button.

Once you complete the steps, the account will be removed, but the files will remain in the "Users" folder under the account name folder.

How to delete an account using User Account

To delete an account from the legacy User Account interface, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for netplwiz and click the top result to open the legacy User Account interface.
3. Select the account to delete on Windows 11.
4. Click the Remove button.

5. Click the Yes button.
6. Click the Apply button.
7. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the Windows 11 account will be removed without deleting the user's files.

How to delete an account using Command Prompt

To remove an account with Command Prompt on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to note the available user accounts and press Enter: net user
4. Type the following command to delete the user account on Windows 11 and press Enter: net user USER-NAME /delete

In the command, replace "USER-NAME" for the name of the account to delete. This example deletes the "JohnSmith" account: net user JohnSmith /delete

Once you complete the steps, the command will delete the account, and the account files will continue to be available on the computer.

How to delete an account using PowerShell

To delete an account with PowerShell commands on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to note the available user accounts and press Enter: Get-LocalUser
4. Type the following command to delete the user account on Windows 11 and press Enter: Remove-LocalUser -Name "USER-ACCOUNT"

In the command, replace "USER-ACCOUNT" for the name of the account to delete. This example deletes the "JohnSmith" account: Remove-LocalUser -Name "JohnSmith"

After you complete the steps, PowerShell will delete the account without removing the files on Windows 11.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know