2 Easy Ways to Remove User Accounts in Windows 10

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Permanently delete user profiles on Windows

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: June 7, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Deleting an Account
|
• Changing Admin Accounts
|
• Video

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As long as you're signed into your Windows PC with an administrator-level account, you will be able to remove any local or Microsoft user accounts on the computer. Removing a user account will delete all of that user's data from your PC. Here's how to delete user accounts in Windows 10.

Quick Steps

1. Open Settings.
2. Click Accounts.
3. Click Family & other users.
4. Click the account.
5. Click Remove.
6. Click Delete account and data.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Deleting an Account

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1. 
   1
   Open Settings

   

   . Click the Start menu, and then click the cog icon.
2. 
   2
   Click Accounts. This icon looks like a silhouette of a person and says "Your accounts, email, sync, work, family."
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3. 
   3
   Click Family & other users. You'll see this in the vertical menu on the left side of the window.

   • If you're using a work or school PC, you may have to select Other users or Other people instead.
4. 
   4
   Click the person you want to delete. You'll see more options appear for that user.

   • If you see "Local account" below the user name, this account only exists on the current PC.
   • If you don't see Local account, it's a Microsoft account. This means that this user can still access other Microsoft services like Outlook.com and Office on other devices.
5. 
   5
   Click Remove. A confirmation message will appear, letting you know that all of that user's data will be removed from the PC if you continue.
6. 
   6
   Click Delete account and data. This removes all of the user's data from the PC.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Changing Admin Accounts

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1. 
   1
   Open Settings

   

   . Click the Start menu, and then click the cog icon.

   • Use this method to change a standard user into an administrator. You must have a new administrator user before you can delete the previous one.
2. 
   2
   Click Accounts. This icon looks like a silhouette of a person and says "Your accounts, email, sync, work, family."
3. 
   3
   Click Family & other users. You'll see this in the vertical menu on the left side of the window.

   • If you're using a work or school PC, you may have to select Other users or Other people instead.
4. 
   4
   Click the user you want to make administrator. You'll see more options appear for that user.
5. 
   5
   Click Change account type. This is next to Remove.
6. 
   6
   Select Administrator. Click the drop-down menu and set the new account type to Administrator.
7. 
   7
   Click OK. This will save your settings.
8. 
   8
   Log into the new administrator account. You'll need to provide the account's password.

   • Once the new administrator account is set, you can use the above section to delete the old administrator account.
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