To delete a user account on Windows 10, sign in as an administrator, open Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, click the account under Other users, and choose Remove > Delete account and data. This deletes the account and its files from the PC, so back up anything important first. To remove an email or work account used by apps rather than a sign-in account, use Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) now run until October 12, 2027.
Quick Answer
Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > select the account > Remove > Delete account and data.
Steps to Delete a User Account
- Sign in with an administrator account (you can’t delete the account you’re using).
- Open Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
- Under Other users, click the account and click Remove.
- Read the warning and click Delete account and data.
Other Ways
- Control Panel: User Accounts > Manage another account > pick it > Delete the account. This route offers Keep Files, which saves the user’s desktop and documents to a folder on your desktop.
- netplwiz: Press Windows + R, type netplwiz, select the user and click Remove.
- Command Prompt (admin):
net user USERNAME /deleteremoves a local account.
Account Types
| Account | Where to remove it |
|---|---|
| Local or Microsoft account used to sign in | Family & other users |
| Family member account | Family settings online, then Family & other users |
| Email/app accounts | Email & accounts |
| Work or school | Access work or school > Disconnect |
Related: How to Delete a User Profile in Windows 10.
Troubleshooting
- Remove is greyed out: You’re not an administrator, or it’s the account you’re signed in with.
- Need a replacement account first? See adding an account on Windows 10 or creating a new profile.
- Removing a Microsoft account on Windows 11: See this Windows 11 guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting the account delete the Microsoft account online?
No. It only removes it from this PC.
Can I recover a deleted account’s files?
Not easily. Back up first or use Control Panel’s Keep Files option.
Can I delete the built-in Administrator account?
No, but it’s disabled by default and can stay that way.
Summary
- Sign in as an administrator.
- Open Family & other users.
- Select the account and click Remove.
- Back up files first, or use Keep Files in Control Panel.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.