“Remove a Microsoft account” can mean three different things in Windows 11: stop using your Microsoft account to sign in to your own Windows profile, remove another user’s profile from the PC, or remove an account that an app uses. Choose the method that matches what you actually want to remove.
If You Want to Stop Signing In to Windows with a Microsoft Account
If this is your own Windows profile and you want to keep the profile but use a local account instead, switch the sign-in method rather than deleting the user.
- Open Settings.
- Select Accounts.
- Select Your info.
- Choose Sign in with a local account instead.
- Follow the prompts to verify your identity and create the local account credentials.
- Sign out and finish the switch when Windows asks you to do so.
This changes how you sign in to that Windows profile. It does not delete the Microsoft account itself from Microsoft’s online services.
If You Want to Remove Another User from the PC
Removing a user is more destructive because it can remove that user’s locally stored profile data from the computer. Back up anything the user needs first.
- Sign in with an administrator account.
- Open Settings.
- Select Accounts.
- Select Other users.
- Find the account you want to remove.
- Open its account options and choose Remove.
- Read the warning and confirm only if you intend to remove that user’s account and local data from this PC.
Microsoft notes that removing a user’s sign-in information from a device does not delete the person’s Microsoft account itself.
If the Account Is Only Used by Apps
Windows also has account lists for email, calendar, contacts, work, school, and other app access. Removing one of those connections is different from deleting a Windows user profile. Open Settings > Accounts and review the account category associated with the service you want to disconnect, then use the available management or removal control for that account.
Do You Want to Delete the Microsoft Account Completely?
Removing an account from a Windows PC is not the same as closing the Microsoft account online. Closing the online account can affect services and data associated with that Microsoft identity, such as Outlook.com and other Microsoft services. Do not close the online account merely because you want to stop using it to sign in to one computer.
Before Removing a User Profile
Check Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and other local folders for files that have not been backed up or synchronized. Also verify that the computer will retain a working administrator account after the change.
Summary
To keep your Windows profile but stop using a Microsoft sign-in, use Accounts > Your info > Sign in with a local account instead. To remove another user and their local profile from the PC, use Accounts > Other users. Treat app accounts and closing the Microsoft account online as separate operations.