How to remove a user account in Windows 11 and 10

In Windows 10, Windows 11 and other versions, making a user account is important to keep the personalized settings of the system and programs for every user user and to have personal documents of documents, images and downloads.

The moment an account is no longer necessary, It can be removed, but remove a user in Windows 11 and Windows 10Even if it is a simple operation, attention requires not to miss important data.

An unused account covers space on the disk with files, documents and settings. Sometimes it can also delay the system or cause confusion in the management of the PC. Remove the free sources and keep everything more organized. In addition, if an account is linked to technical problems, such as corrupt profiles, eliminating a quick solution can be.

Also read: Make a user account and manage on Windows

Before you start: things to know

Before we continue, it is essential to log in with a administrator account, because the other profiles can only be managed in this way. Moreover, the account to be removed may not be active: if it is in use, you must first be broken. Another important aspect is the back -up. The account details, such as documents, photos or files on the desktop, are definitively deleted unless you choose to save them. So check the folder 100: \ User \[NomeUtente] And copy the important files on an external drive or another safe position.

Inside you will find the desktop folders, the documents, images and other folders, including the appleadata folder and the Nutus file. That they are hidden.

If there are important data, it is worth the backup of the user profile to save personal folders before you continue.

A final distinction: eliminating a local account (which only exists on the PC) is different to delete a Microsoft account (connected to services such as OneDrive or Outlook). In the second case, the Microsoft account remains active online, but the device is disconnected.

Method 1: Use Windows settings

The easiest way to delete an account is via the app InstitutionsWho has an intuitive interface, both on Windows 11 and on Windows 10.

1. Open Institutions press WIN + I Or looking for “settings” in the start menu.
2. Go up Account and select Family and other users (On Windows 11 and “Other users“).
3. Find the account that must be deleted in the “other users” section. Click on the name and then on Remove you.
4. A message will inform you that all account details will be deleted. Confirm by clicking Delete account and data.

This method is fast and deletes both the account and the corresponding files. There is no way to keep the data automatically, so the back -up is crucial.

Method 2: Via the control panel

If you prefer a more traditional approach, the The control panel It offers a useful option, with the advantage that they can choose whether the user files must be stored.

1. Fence The control panel In the start menu and open it.
2. Go up User account and click on Remove the user account.
3. Select the account that must be removed from the list.
4. Molar or Delete files (delete everything) or Save files (The data is stored in a folder on the manager’s desktop).
5. Confirm by clicking Remove account.

This option is perfect if you want to save the files without making a manual backup. However, the control panel is less integrated on Windows 11, so the first method is often faster.

Method 3: With the assignment prompt

For those who are at ease with the commands, the Assignment prompts This allows you to eliminate an account in seconds. It is a powerful method, but requires precision.

1. Fence Assignment prompts In the Start menu, click the right button and select Acting as manager.
2. Figure net user And I press Send to view the list of accounts on the PC.
3. Use the assignment to delete an account net user [NomeUtente] /deletereplace [NomeUtente] With the name of the account (e.g. net user Mario /delete).
4. Press send and the account will be deleted.

This method eliminates the account, but lets the user folder in 100: \ user. Use the assignment to remove it rd /s /q "C:\Utenti\[NomeUtente]". Attention: this assignment does not require confirmations, so check the name of the account carefully.

Method 4: With computer management (only Pro and Enterprise)

If you use Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can delete an account via Computer managementAn advanced tool for managers.

1. Grant Win + X and select Computer management.
2. Go up System aids> Users and local groups> Users.
3. Click on the account to be removed with the right button and choose To delete.
4. Confirms the operation.

Here too, the files of the user remain inside 100: \ user And they must be removed manually if they are not needed. This method is not available on Windows Home.

Only delete the user profile (without deleting the account)

In some cases you may just want the user profileThat is, the settings and files, without deleting the account itself. This is useful for resolving corrupt configuration problems, because Windows automatically replaces a new profile for the next access.

1. Open Advanced system settings: Search for “advanced system settings” in the start menu and click View advanced system settings. You can also come to this screen by pressing the keys together Windows – R and execute the assignment Systemproperties Advanced .
2. In the section User profilesasil on Institutions.
3. Select the profile to be deleted and click on To delete.
4. Confirm and restart the PC.

With the next login, the account has a new profile with standard settings. Don’t forget to make a backup because the files are removed.

Also read: Reset the PC without formatting by making a new user

Common problems and solutions

Sometimes the elimination is not flexible. Here are the most common cases:

• The account is in use: Make sure the user is disconnected. If the problem persists, restart the PC or use the safe mode.
• Insufficient permits: Check whether you will be registered as a manager. If you do not have an administrator account, you make a temporary one.
• Non -deleted files: If the user folder stays in 100: \ userRemove it manually or with the command rd described above.
• Microsoft account that is not removable: If the PC only has one Microsoft account, first makes a local account to manage it.

Also read: Manage Windows Administrator and Guest Accounts