How to remove a Microsoft account from Windows

Are you wanting to remove a Microsoft account from Windows 10 or 11? Removing a Microsoft account from Windows is a straightforward process, but it's important to understand what a Microsoft account is and why you might want to remove it. Let’s start with a brief overview of the Microsoft account.

What Is a Microsoft Account?

A Microsoft account signs you into Windows and services like OneDrive, Outlook, Microsoft 365, Xbox, and the Microsoft Store. Using it on Windows enables settings, theme, and credential sync across devices.

Remove Microsoft Account Or Switch to a Local Account

Removing a Microsoft Account vs. switching to a Local Account (Windows 10/11).

Switching your sign-in from a Microsoft account to a local account achieves the same goal as “removing” the Microsoft account from your Windows sign-in. Your online Microsoft account remains intact, but it’s no longer used to log in on this PC.

Why Switch or Remove It?

1. Privacy: Use Windows without cloud sync.
2. Security: Stop this PC from accessing your Microsoft account.
3. Sharing: Hand off or sell a device without your account attached.
4. No Longer Needed: You’ve moved away from Microsoft services.

Method 1: Switch to a Local Account

This keeps your user profile, files, and apps, but removes Microsoft sign-in for the account on this device.

1. Open Settings: Press Windows + I.
2. Go to Accounts:
   • Windows 11: Settings > Accounts > Your info
   • Windows 10: Settings > Accounts > Your info
3. Switch to a local account:
   • Click Sign in with a local account instead (found under Your info).
   • Confirm your current password, set a new local username and password, and complete the sign-out/sign-in flow.
4. Result: You now log in locally; Microsoft account services won’t auto-sync. You can still sign in to apps (Store, OneDrive, Outlook) separately if needed.

Optional clean-up after switching:

• OneDrive: Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray > Settings > Account > Unlink this PC.
• Microsoft Store: Open Store > profile picture > Sign out.
• Mail & Calendar / Outlook (app): Remove the Microsoft account from within the app’s account settings.

Method 2: Remove a Microsoft Account

Use this if the Microsoft account appears under other accounts on the PC (e.g., a secondary account). You cannot remove the account you are currently signed into—switch to a local account first (Method 1), or sign into another admin account.

1. Press and hold the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
2. Ensure another admin account exists:
   • Windows 11: Settings > Accounts > Family & other users
   • Windows 10: Settings > Accounts > Family & other users
   • Add a user (local or Microsoft) and grant it Administrator rights if needed.
3. Sign into the other admin account.
4. Remove the Microsoft account on the device:
   • Windows 11: Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > select the account > Remove > confirm.
   • Windows 10: Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > select the account > Remove > Delete account and data.

Note: This removes the local Windows profile for that account on this PC. The online Microsoft account is not deleted; it’s simply no longer present on this device.

Things to Consider

• OneDrive files: Sync stops. Copy any needed cloud files to local storage first.
• App access: Store purchases and Xbox/Game Pass may require signing into the app again.
• Password resets: Local accounts don’t support online resets—record your local password and set up a password hint or recovery options (e.g., password reset disk on Windows 10).

FAQ

Conclusion: For most users, switching to a local account is the simplest, safest way to stop using a Microsoft account for Windows sign-in. If needed, you can also remove other Microsoft accounts from the device under Family & other users.