How to Remove a Microsoft Administrator Account From Windows 10

To remove a Microsoft administrator account from Windows 10, sign in with a different administrator account, go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, click the Microsoft account, and choose Remove > Delete account and data. Windows won’t let you remove the account you’re signed in with, and it needs at least one other admin. If the Microsoft account is your own and you just want to stop using it, you don’t need to delete it: switch it to a local account in Settings > Accounts > Your info > Sign in with a local account instead.

Below are both options step by step, plus how to disable the hidden built-in Administrator account and what to do if you get locked out.

Which option do you need?

Goal	What to do
Keep your files and apps, but stop signing in with a Microsoft account	Switch to a local account
Remove another person’s Microsoft account and its files from the PC	Remove the account from Family & other users
Remove admin rights but keep the account	Change the account type to Standard User
Turn off the hidden “Administrator” account	Run net user administrator /active:no

Step 1: Make sure another administrator account exists

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
2. If there’s no other admin, click Add someone else to this PC, then I don’t have this person’s sign-in information > Add a user without a Microsoft account, and create a local account.
3. Click the new account, choose Change account type, select Administrator, and click OK.
4. Sign out, and sign in with the new admin account.

For more detail, see how to add an account on Windows 10.

Step 2: Remove the Microsoft administrator account

1. While signed in as the other admin, open Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
2. Click the Microsoft account you want to remove.
3. Click Remove.
4. Click Delete account and data.

Warning: This deletes that account’s Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and other files on this PC. Back them up first. Files stored in OneDrive stay in the cloud.

Alternative: Switch your own account to a local account

1. Sign in with the Microsoft account.
2. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info.
3. Click Sign in with a local account instead.
4. Confirm your identity, then create a local username, password, and hint.
5. Click Sign out and finish.

Your files, apps, and settings stay the same. You’ll need to sign in to Microsoft Store, OneDrive, and Outlook separately. If you use BitLocker or Device Encryption, save your recovery key first. See how to find your BitLocker recovery key.

Remove the Microsoft account from other apps

If the account still appears in apps like Mail, go to Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts, click it, and choose Remove.

How to disable the built-in Administrator account

Windows has a hidden account named Administrator that’s normally off. If it’s showing on the sign-in screen:

1. Sign in with another admin account.
2. Right-click Start and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
3. Run net user administrator /active:no.

Other ways to remove an account

• netplwiz: Press Windows + R, type netplwiz, select the account, and click Remove.
• Control Panel: User Accounts > Manage another account > select it > Delete the account. You can choose to keep that user’s files in a folder on the desktop.

Frequently asked questions

Why can’t I remove the account?

You’re signed in with it, it’s the only administrator, or you’re not using an admin account. Create and sign in with another admin first.

Does removing it delete the Microsoft account itself?

No. It only removes it from this PC. The Microsoft account still works for Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox, and other services. To close it completely, visit account.microsoft.com.

Will I lose my Windows license?

No. The license is tied to the PC’s hardware. Linking a Microsoft account helps reactivate after hardware changes, though, so you may want to keep one linked.

How do I do this on Windows 11?

See how to remove an account from Windows 11.