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In Short.
To remove a Microsoft Account from Windows 11, you first need to create a Local Account with administrative privileges. Then, sign in with the Local Account and go to Settings > Accounts, select 'Other users', choose the Microsoft account you want to remove, and click on 'Remove' next to 'Account and data' label.

Many of us, while initially setting up Windows 11, have linked a Microsoft account. For some, it was a necessity since Windows 11 Home requires you to sign in with a Microsoft Account. Others may have done it out of choice. But down the line, many want to remove the Microsoft account due to various reasons, some of which can be justified.

However, we recommend using a Microsoft account due to the additional features such as OneDrive and Microsoft Store and the availability of sync service. All these features come in handy in the long run. But, if you have made up your mind and want to remove the Microsft account from Windows 11, here’s how you do it.

Create a Local Account on Windows 11

You cannot remove a Microsoft account while being signed in. Therefore, the first step is to create a Local Account.

To create a Local Account, search for ‘Settings’ in the Start Menu, and click on the relevant search result to launch the app. Alternatively, you can use the WINDOWS + I keyboard shortcut to launch the Settings app directly.

In Settings, select the ‘Accounts’ tab from the left.

In the ‘Account’ settings, select the ‘Family & other users’ or 'Other users' option listed on the right.

Now, click on the ‘Add account’ option next to ‘Add other user’ under the ‘Other users’ setting.

The ‘Microsoft account’ window will now launch, where you can create a new ‘Local Account’. On the initial window, select ‘I don’t have this person’s sign-in information’.

Next, select ‘Add a user without a Microsoft account’.

You will now be required to enter the username and password in the relevant sections. Once you have filled out the required sections, click on ‘Next’ at the bottom to create a Local Account.

Note: When creating a local account, you have the option to either continue with or without a password. If you don’t want a password-protected Local Account, leave the password section blank and click on ‘Next’.

The Local Account has now been created. However, it’s presently a ‘Standard Account’. The next step would be to allow it administrative privileges.

To change the account type to Administrator, click on the account name listed under ‘Other users’ in settings.

Now, click on the ‘Change account type’ option next to ‘Account options’.

In the ‘Change account type’ window, click on the drop-down menu under ‘Account type’.

Now, select ‘Administrator’ from the list of options and click on ‘OK’ at the bottom to save the changes.

You now have a Local Account set up on Windows 11 with administrative privileges. You can now proceed to remove the Microsoft Account.

Removing Microsoft Account on Windows 11

There are three ways you can remove a Microsoft Account on Windows 11. We will walk you through each of them, and choose the one you are comfortable with.

Before we move forward, sign in with the Local Account that we created earlier since you cannot remove a Microsoft Account while being signed into it.

Note: When you remove a Microsoft account, all the data on the account will be removed. We recommend you create a backup in case you have important files saved and don’t want to lose them.

Remove Microsoft Account Via Settings

To remove your Microsoft Account via Settings, search for it in the ‘Start Menu’ and launch the app.

Next, select the ‘Account’ tab from the left.

Now, click on the ‘Family & other users’ or 'Other user' option on the right.

Now, locate and click on the Microsoft account that you want to remove under ‘Other users’.

Next, click on ‘Remove’ next to ‘Account and data’.

Finally, click on ‘Delete account and data’ in the confirmation box to proceed.

The selected Microsoft Account will now be removed.

Remove Microsoft Account via User Accounts Panel

To remove a Microsoft account via the User Accounts panel, press WINDOWS + R. Click to launch the ‘Run Command’, enter netplzwiz in the text box and then either click on ‘OK’ at the bottom or press ENTER.

In the ‘User Accounts’ panel, all the accounts on the system will be listed. Select the Microsoft account that you want to remove from the list and click on the ‘Remove’ option.

Finally, click ‘Yes’ in the box that pops up to confirm the change.

Remove Microsoft Account Via Control Panel

You can also remove a Microsoft account from Windows 11 with the Control Panel.

To remove a Microsoft account via Control Panel, search for ‘Control Panel’ in the Start Menu and click on the relevant search result to launch the app.

In the Control Panel, you will find a lot of options. Click on ‘User Accounts’.

Next, click on ‘Remove user accounts’ under ‘User Accounts’.

Now, all the user's accounts on the system will be listed here. Select the Microsoft account that you want to remove.

Now, click on the ‘Delete the account’ option.

You will now be provided with two options pertaining to files, either to delete the files along with the user account to keep the files. However, Windows will only keep a specific section of the files and not all the data stored on that particular user account. Select the desired option to proceed.

Note: If you select the ‘Keep Files’ option, you can always delete them from the system in the future, if required.

The Microsoft account will now be removed from the system.


If you always had the idea of using your PC as an isolated device, removing the Microsoft account would get you one step closer to that. Also, not that you know all the ways, choose the one you deem most suitable and remove the Microsoft account from Windows 11 on your system.