You can delete an Xbox 360 profile directly from the console in about two minutes
To delete a profile from your Xbox 360, go to the home screen, select Settings, then System Settings, then Storage. Find the profile you want to remove, press the X button on your controller, and select Delete. The console will ask you to confirm — select Yes — and the profile and all its data will be removed from that Xbox 360.
The profile is only deleted from that specific console. If the same profile exists on another Xbox 360 or on an Xbox One, it will still be there. Your Microsoft account itself is not affected — only the local copy on this machine is removed.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a profile removes it only from the console you are using, not from your Microsoft account or other devices.
- The deletion process takes place entirely on the console — you do not need internet access or to contact Microsoft.
- Once you confirm the deletion, all saved games, achievements, and settings tied to that profile on that Xbox 360 are permanently removed.
- If you want to keep the saved games but remove the profile, you can transfer the saves to another profile before deleting.
What happens to saved games and achievements when you delete a profile
When you delete a profile, all saved games stored under that profile on that Xbox 360 are deleted along with it. This includes progress in games, achievements earned, and any custom settings you made. The data is gone from the console permanently.
If you want to preserve the saved games, you can move them to a different profile before deleting. Go to Settings, System Settings, Storage, find the profile with the saves you want to keep, and look for the option to copy or transfer game saves to another profile on the console. Not all games support this, but most do.
The difference between deleting a profile and signing out
Deleting a profile removes it completely from the console. Signing out straightforward logs you out of that profile — the profile itself stays on the Xbox 360, and you can sign back in anytime. If you just want to stop using a profile temporarily or let someone else use the console, signing out is the right choice.
Delete only if you want the profile gone from that machine. This is useful if you are selling or giving away the console, or if a profile was created by mistake and you do not need it anymore.
How to delete a profile if you forgot the password
If the profile is password-protected and you do not know the password, you can still delete it. Go to Settings, System Settings, Storage, select the profile, and press X. The console will ask for the password before allowing deletion. If you do not have it, you will need to reset the password through your Microsoft account online.
Go to account.microsoft.com on a computer or phone, sign in with the email address tied to that Xbox profile, and select Security or Password. Follow the steps to reset it. Once you have the new password, return to the Xbox 360 and you can delete the profile normally.
Deleting a child account or supervised profile
If the profile you want to delete is a child account set up under parental controls, the process is the same — go to Settings, System Settings, Storage, select the profile, and press X. You may be asked to enter the parent account password to confirm the deletion.
Deleting a child profile from the console does not affect the child account on your Microsoft family account online. The account still exists in your family settings — only the local copy on this Xbox 360 is removed. If you want to fully remove the child account from your Microsoft family, you need to do that through your account settings on a computer or phone.
What to do before selling or giving away your Xbox 360
If you are removing a profile because you are passing the console to someone else, delete all profiles you do not want the new owner to access. Go through Settings, System Settings, Storage and delete each one individually.
You should also consider doing a full factory reset of the console to clear all data, not just profiles. This is more thorough and removes any cached information or settings. Go to Settings, System Settings, Console Settings, and look for Restore Factory Defaults or Clear System Cache. This step is optional if you only want to remove specific profiles, but it is recommended before handing the console to someone else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover a profile after I delete it?
No. Once you confirm the deletion on the Xbox 360, the profile and all its data on that console are permanently removed. You cannot undo it. If the profile is tied to a Microsoft account, you can create a new local profile on the console and sign in with that account again, but the saved games and achievements from the deleted profile will not return.
Will deleting a profile affect my Microsoft account?
No. Deleting a profile from your Xbox 360 only removes it from that console. Your Microsoft account, email, password, and any data stored in the cloud remain unchanged. You can sign in with that account on any other Xbox or device.
What if there is only one profile on the console?
You can delete the last profile on the console. Once it is gone, the Xbox 360 will have no profiles and you will need to create a new one the next time you want to use it. The console itself will still work — you just will not be able to play games or access settings until you set up a profile.
Do I need internet to delete a profile?
No. Profile deletion happens entirely on the console and does not require an internet connection. You can delete a profile even if your Xbox 360 is offline.