Deleting a username removes that person's access to your computer
When you delete a user account, you remove the login name, password, and all files stored in that account's folder from your computer. The account no longer appears on the login screen. On Windows, you can delete a standard user account through Settings in about two minutes. On Mac, the process is similar but uses System Settings instead. Administrator accounts require extra steps because they have higher permissions.
Before you delete an account, decide what to do with its files. Windows and Mac both ask whether you want to keep the files in a folder on your desktop or delete them permanently. If you choose to keep them, you can sort through them later. If you delete them with the account, they are gone.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a standard user account takes two to three minutes and removes the login from your computer's startup screen.
- You must be logged in as an administrator to delete any account, including another administrator account.
- Windows and Mac both let you save the deleted account's files to your desktop before removing the account itself.
- Deleting an account does not erase files that were shared with other accounts or stored outside that account's folder.
- If you delete the only administrator account on your computer, you will lose the ability to make system changes until you create a new one.
How to delete a user account on Windows 10 or 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Go to Accounts on the left side, then select Other people. Find the account you want to delete and click it once to highlight it. A button labeled "Remove" will appear below the account name — click that button.
Windows will ask what you want to do with the account's files. Choose "Delete files" if you want to remove everything, or "Keep files" if you want to save them to a folder on your desktop. Click "Delete account and data" or "Delete account" depending on which option you selected. The account is now removed and will not appear on your login screen.
If the account you want to delete is an administrator account, Windows requires an extra confirmation step. After you click "Delete account and data," you will see a message asking you to confirm that you understand what will happen. Click the confirmation button to proceed.
How to delete a user account on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Click General on the left side, then scroll down and click Users & Groups. You may see a lock icon at the bottom of the window — if you do, click it and enter your administrator password to unlock the settings.
Find the account you want to delete in the list on the left. Click it once to select it, then click the minus sign button below the list. Mac will ask what you want to do with the account's home folder. Select "Save the home folder in a disk image" to keep the files, or "Delete the home folder" to remove them. Click "Delete User" to confirm. The account is now removed.
What happens to files and folders after deletion
If you chose to keep the files, they are saved in a folder on your desktop with the account name and the date. You can open this folder and move files to other accounts or to an external drive. Files remain there until you manually delete them.
If you chose to delete the files with the account, they are permanently removed from your computer. You cannot recover them through the Recycle Bin or Trash. If you are unsure whether you need the files, choose to keep them — you can always delete the folder later if you change your mind.
Shared files and files stored outside the account's folder are not affected by account deletion. For example, if someone created a document in a shared folder or on an external drive, that file remains on your computer even after the account is deleted.
Why you need administrator access to delete accounts
Only an administrator account can delete any user account on your computer. If you are logged in as a standard user, you will not see the delete option. You must log out, log in as an administrator, and then delete the account.
This protection exists because deleting an account is a permanent change that affects the entire computer. If any user could delete any account, someone could lock you out of your own computer by deleting your login. Requiring administrator permission prevents accidental or intentional misuse.
What to do if you accidentally delete the wrong account
If you deleted an account by mistake and chose to keep the files, you can recover the account. The files are saved in a folder on your desktop. You can create a new account with the same name and move the files back into it, though this requires manual work and the new account will have a different security ID.
If you deleted the files along with the account, recovery is not possible through Windows or Mac's built-in tools. Some third-party data recovery software claims to restore deleted files, but success depends on how much new data has been written to your hard drive since deletion. The sooner you attempt recovery, the better your chances.
Deleting the only administrator account on your computer
If your computer has only one administrator account and you delete it, you will not be able to make system changes, install software, or delete other accounts until you create a new administrator account. Windows and Mac both prevent you from deleting the last administrator account, so you will see a warning message before deletion is allowed.
If you see this warning, you must create a new administrator account before you can delete the current one. Go back to Users & Groups or Accounts settings, create a new administrator account, log out, log in as the new administrator, and then delete the old account. This ensures your computer always has at least one account with full permissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a user account without knowing the password?
Yes. You do not need the account's password to delete it — you only need to be logged in as an administrator. The administrator password is what matters, not the password of the account being deleted.
Will deleting an account remove programs that person installed?
No. Programs installed on your computer remain installed after you delete a user account. Deleting an account only removes that person's login, password, and personal files stored in their account folder. Shared programs stay on your computer.
What if the account I want to delete is currently logged in?
You cannot delete an account while it is logged in. Log out of that account first, log in as an administrator, and then delete it. If you are trying to delete your own administrator account, create a second administrator account first, log into that one, and then delete your original account.
Does deleting an account remove email or cloud storage?
Deleting a computer account does not affect email or cloud storage accounts like Gmail, OneDrive, or iCloud. Those accounts exist separately from your computer login. You would need to delete them through their own websites or apps if you want to remove them.
Can I undo a deletion if I chose to delete the files?
No. If you selected "Delete files" or "Delete the home folder," those files are permanently removed and cannot be recovered through Windows or Mac. Always choose to keep files unless you are certain you do not need them.