How to Delete Your Microsoft Account From Windows 10

What happens when you delete your Microsoft account on Windows 10

Deleting your Microsoft account from Windows 10 removes your sign-in credentials from that computer, but it does not delete the account itself from Microsoft's servers. If you want to erase the account completely — so nobody can use it anywhere — you need to do that separately through Microsoft's website. On your Windows 10 machine, deletion means you can no longer sign in with that account, and all files stored in your user folder stay on the computer but become harder to access.

The process is straightforward and takes about five minutes. You will need administrator access on the computer, and you should back up any files in that account's folder before you start, because once the account is gone, recovering those files becomes complicated.

Key Takeaways

Deleting a Microsoft account from Windows 10 removes it from that computer only — the account still exists at Microsoft unless you delete it separately through their website.
You must have administrator rights on the computer to delete another user account, or you can delete your own account if you have set up a second administrator account first.
Files stored in the deleted account's folder remain on the computer but become inaccessible through normal means, so back them up before you delete the account.
The deletion is permanent on that computer — you cannot undo it through Windows settings, though you can create the account again by signing in.

Delete your own Microsoft account (if you have a second admin account)

If you are signed in as the Microsoft account you want to delete, and you have already set up a second administrator account on the computer, you can delete your own account. Sign out of your Microsoft account and sign in to the other administrator account instead.

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then click Other people. Find your Microsoft account in the list and click it once to select it. Click the Remove button, then click Delete account and data in the confirmation window. Windows will ask you to confirm one more time — click Delete account and data again. The account is now gone from this computer.

Delete someone else's Microsoft account (if you are an admin)

If you are signed in as an administrator and want to delete a different user's Microsoft account, the steps are nearly identical. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Other people. Click the account you want to remove, then click Remove. Select Delete account and data, then confirm.

Windows will warn you that this will delete all files in that account's folder. If you need to keep those files, click Cancel, then use File Explorer to copy them to another location before you try again. Once you confirm deletion, those files are no longer accessible through Windows — recovery is possible but requires technical tools and may not work.

What to do if you cannot delete the account

If the Remove button is grayed out, you do not have administrator rights on this computer. Ask whoever set up the computer to delete the account for you, or have them change your account type to administrator first (though that gives you control over the entire computer).

If you are trying to delete the only administrator account on the computer, Windows will not let you. You must create a second administrator account first. Open Settings, go to Accounts, click Other people, then Add someone else to this PC. Follow the steps to create a new account, then go back to Other people and click that new account. Click Change account type, select Administrator, and click OK. Now you can delete the original account.

Delete your Microsoft account completely (across all devices)

If you want to delete the account from Microsoft's servers so it cannot be used anywhere, you need to do that through your Microsoft account settings online. Go to account.microsoft.com in a web browser and sign in. Click your name or profile picture in the top right, then select View account.

On the left sidebar, click Security, then scroll down and click More security options. Look for the section labeled Close your account and click it. Microsoft will ask you to confirm your identity and will warn you that closing the account will delete your email, files in OneDrive, and subscriptions. Click Next, choose a reason from the dropdown, then click Mark account for closure. The account will be deleted after 60 days, giving you time to change your mind — if you sign in during that window, the deletion stops.

Back up your files before deletion

Before you delete any account, copy important files to another location. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[account name], where [account name] is the name of the account you are deleting. Select the folders you need — usually Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and Desktop — and copy them to an external drive or another user's folder.

If the account you are deleting is not your own, you may not have permission to open its folders. Right-click the folder, select Properties, go to the Security tab, click Edit, select your username, check the box for Full Control, and click Apply. You should now be able to copy the files. This step is important because once the account is deleted, Windows locks those files and you will need special recovery software to access them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo deleting a Microsoft account from Windows 10?

No, deletion from Windows 10 is permanent. You can create the account again by signing in with the same Microsoft email address, but any files that were in the deleted account's folder will still be locked. If you deleted the account by mistake, do not delete anything else — contact Microsoft support to see if they can help recover the account.

What happens to my OneDrive files when I delete my account?

Deleting the account from Windows 10 does not touch OneDrive. Your files stay in the cloud and you can access them by signing in on another computer or through onedrive.com. If you delete the Microsoft account completely through Microsoft's website, OneDrive files are deleted after 60 days unless you sign back in.

Do I need to uninstall Microsoft programs before I delete the account?

No, uninstalling is not necessary. Programs like Microsoft Office will still work on the computer. If a program asks you to sign in with a Microsoft account after you delete it, you can use a different account or create a local account instead.

Can I delete a Microsoft account if it is the only account on the computer?

No. Windows requires at least one administrator account to exist at all times. Create a second administrator account first, then delete the original one. If you cannot remember the password to create a new account, you will need to contact Microsoft support or use password recovery tools.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.