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Microsoft accounts are tied to your PC hardware, so if you want to sell or give away your computer, you'll need to remove your Microsoft account from Windows. You can also remove your Microsoft account from Windows if you use a local account instead of a Microsoft account.
In previous Windows versions, users were able to set up and use a local account without logging in. However, the new Home edition of Windows 11 requires all users to have a Microsoft account in order to complete the initial setup, which makes it difficult to proceed without one.
(Update: You actually can set up Windows 11 (or Windows 10) without using a Microsoft account - check this post out for more).
It is worth noting that users are encouraged to link their Microsoft Accounts with Windows 11. Besides, users who sign in to Windows 11 with a Microsoft Account can utilize OneDrive and the Microsoft Store. They also have access to online syncing services.
At times. the need to remove your account from Windows 11 does present itself. In this article, we will provide you with a detailed account on how to remove your Microsoft Account from Windows 11.
What can I do to remove a Microsoft Account from Windows 11
The main reason why people want to remove their Microsoft Accounts from Windows 11 is because of security reasons. This is especially if you share the device with a lot of people, therefore, this prompts you to try and restrict the number of people that have access to your personal files and data.
Here are a couple of methods that you can use to remove your Microsoft Account from Windows 11:
1. Create a Local Account
- Press the Windows key + I key simultaneously to open the Settings App.
- Then, select the Account tab from the left panel and click on the Family & other users option on the right panel.
- Click on Add account under the Other users setting.
- If your device is connected to Wi-Fi, select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
- Then, select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
- Key in your preferred user name and password as prompted. Finally, click on Next at the bottom of the window to create your Local Account.
- Click on the account name listed under Other users in settings, to change the account type to Administrator.
- Then, click on the Change account type option next to Account options.
- Click on the drop-down menu under Account type. Then, select Administrator from the list of options and click on OK to save the changes made.
Note: Creating a local account on your device is essential, as it plays a major role in enabling you to remove your Microsoft Account from Windows 11.
2. Use the Settings App
- Press the Windows key + I key simultaneously to open the Settings App.
- Then, select the Account tab from the left panel and click on the Family & other users option on the right panel.
- Now, find and click on the Microsoft account that you want to remove under the Other users section.
- Then, click on the Remove button that is adjacent to Account and data.
- Click on Delete account and data to confirm and finalize the process.
3. Use the Control Panel
Note: You will need to have a local account with admin rights to successfully execute this method. That said, you will first need to create one if you do not have it already. Refer to the first method listed in this article.
- Search for Control Panel in the Start Menu, click on the result that pops up to open it.
- Click on the User Accounts.
- Then, click on Manage another account.
- A new window will appear displaying all the user accounts on the system. Then, select the Microsoft account that you want to remove.
- Then, click on Delete account.
After you delete your Microsoft account, you’ll have two options for your files. Keep them with a new account on the same PC, or remove them from the PC. If you choose to Remove, your PC will only keep a certain section of the files, and not all the data stored on that particular user account. Select the option that works best for you.
Unlink your Microsoft Account from Windows 11
It is also worth noting that, if you want to prevent apps from accessing information from your Microsoft account, you can turn off the account sync feature, which is available in the Sync Your Settings menu. You can also have a look at our detailed guide on how to unlock your Microsoft account when you are locked out.
We hope that our methods were able to resolve your security and privacy concerns. Which of the above methods helped your remove your Microsoft Account from Windows 11? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
