If you’re switching to a local account or simply want to disconnect your Microsoft account from your PC, you’re in the right place. Removing a Microsoft account from Windows 11 is simple — and this guide walks you through every method, step by step.
Why You Might Want to Remove Your Microsoft Account
There are several good reasons to unlink or remove your Microsoft account from Windows 11:
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You’re giving away or selling your computer.
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You prefer using a local account instead of a cloud-linked one.
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You want better privacy and fewer sync features.
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You’re switching to a new Microsoft account.
Whatever your reason, it’s easy to do once you know the steps.
Things to Know Before Removing Your Account
Before you delete your Microsoft account from Windows 11, keep these in mind:
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Backup important files — especially if they’re synced to OneDrive.
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You must sign in with another admin account to remove the one currently in use.
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Removing the account won’t delete it from Microsoft servers — you can still log in elsewhere.
How to Remove Microsoft Account from Windows 11 (Quick Overview)
In short, the process looks like this:
Settings → Accounts → Other users → Select account → Remove.
Let’s go through it in detail.
Method 1: Remove Microsoft Account via Settings
This is the easiest and most straightforward way.
Step 1: Open Settings
Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
Step 2: Go to Accounts
From the left sidebar, select Accounts.
Step 3: Select the Account You Want to Remove
Click Other users or Email & accounts, depending on your setup.
You’ll see all Microsoft and local accounts connected to your PC.
Step 4: Remove the Account
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Select the account you want to delete.
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Click Remove → then Delete account and data.
That’s it! The account is now unlinked from your Windows 11 device.
Method 2: Remove Microsoft Account via Control Panel
Prefer the classic Control Panel method? Here’s how:
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Press Windows + R, type
control, and hit Enter. -
Navigate to User Accounts → Remove user accounts.
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Select the Microsoft account you want to remove.
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Click Delete the account.
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Choose whether to keep or delete files, then confirm.
Method 3: Switch from Microsoft to Local Account (Without Deleting Data)
If you want to stop using your Microsoft account but keep your files and settings:
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Open Settings → Accounts → Your info.
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Click Sign in with a local account instead.
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Enter your PIN/password to verify identity.
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Choose a new username and password for your local account.
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Log out and back in — your Microsoft account will be disconnected.
This way, you keep all your files and apps while switching accounts.
Method 4: Remove Microsoft Account from Sign-In Options
Another quick route:
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Open Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options.
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Scroll to Accounts used by other apps.
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Select the Microsoft account → Click Remove.
This stops apps like Mail, Calendar, and Store from using that account.
How to Remove a Work or School Account
If your PC is connected to a corporate or school domain:
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Go to Settings → Accounts → Access work or school.
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Select the connected account.
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Click Disconnect → Confirm Yes.
Your PC will no longer sync with that organization’s network.
How to Remove Microsoft Account When It’s the Only Admin Account
You can’t delete the only admin account on your computer.
Here’s what to do:
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Create a new local admin account:
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Go to Settings → Accounts → Other users → Add account.
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Choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
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Click Add a user without a Microsoft account.
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Give it admin privileges under Account type → Administrator.
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Log into the new admin account.
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Go back and remove the old Microsoft account.
How to Remove Microsoft Account from Microsoft Edge and Store
Even after removing your account from Windows, it may still be logged into apps.
For Microsoft Edge:
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Open Edge → Click your profile icon.
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Select Sign out → Confirm.
For Microsoft Store:
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Open Microsoft Store → Click your profile photo.
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Select the account → Click Sign out.
How to Remove Microsoft Account Using netplwiz (Advanced)
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Press Windows + R, type
netplwiz, and hit Enter. -
In the User Accounts window, select the Microsoft account.
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Click Remove → Confirm with Yes.
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Restart your PC to apply changes.
What Happens After Removing Your Microsoft Account
Here’s what changes after removal:
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You’ll no longer have access to synced data like OneDrive, Outlook, or Settings.
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Files stored locally remain safe.
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Microsoft Store and apps may ask you to sign in again.
Troubleshooting: Can’t Remove Microsoft Account?
If Windows won’t let you remove the account:
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Make sure you’re not currently signed in with that account.
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Ensure another admin account exists.
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Disable Family Safety features if it’s a child account.
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Restart and try again.
Safety Tips Before Removing Your Account
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Always backup your important files (especially OneDrive).
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If you plan to sell or gift your PC, perform a factory reset after removing the account.
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Keep your Microsoft account credentials safe — you can reuse it later.
Conclusion
Removing a Microsoft account from Windows 11 is simple — whether you’re switching to a local account, disconnecting work credentials, or preparing your device for resale. With just a few clicks in Settings or Control Panel, you can unlink your account safely and keep your data secure.
FAQs
1. Can I remove my Microsoft account without losing my files?
Yes, if you switch to a local account, your personal files remain untouched.
2. What happens to my OneDrive files after removing the account?
Files stored locally stay, but cloud-synced files won’t update until you sign in again.
3. Can I remove my Microsoft account if it’s the only admin account?
Not directly — create another admin account first, then remove the original.
4. Will removing the Microsoft account delete it permanently?
No, it only removes it from your PC. You can still use it online or on another device.
5. Is it safe to remove a Microsoft account from Windows 11?
Yes, as long as you back up your data and ensure another admin account exists.