How to delete a user profile from Windows 10 and erase all their data and files

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How to delete a user profile from Windows 10 and erase all their data and files
It's easy to delete a user profile in Windows 10.Hollis Johnson

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  • To delete a user from your Windows 10 computer, go to your Accounts menu.
  • You should delete a user profile if you want to remove the owner's access to your computer.
  • You'll need to be logged into an Administrator account to delete a user in Windows 10.

One of the best security features in Windows 10 is the ability to add multiple user accounts. If multiple people use the same computer, setting up different user accounts is the best way to keep each user's files and other information, such as saved login info, private.

But if there comes a point when you want to delete a user, either because they don't need it anymore or you want to block their access, deleting a user account from a Windows 10 PC is simple, as long as you're using an Administrator account.

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Here's how to do it.

Quick tip: You'll need to be logged into an Administrator account to delete a user in Windows 10.

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How to delete a user from Windows 10

1. Click on the Windows icon at the bottom-left of your screen and search for the "Settings" app.

Quick tip: You can also click on the Settings gear widget directly from the Windows icon.

2. Click the Settings app when it appears in the search results to open it.

How to delete a user profile from Windows 10 and erase all their data and files
Open Windows' Settings app.Kyle Wilson/Insider

3. Click on Accounts.

4. Click on Family & other users from the menu bar running along the left-hand side of the Settings window.

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How to delete a user profile from Windows 10 and erase all their data and files
You'll find all of your computer's user profiles in this menu.Kyle Wilson/Insider

5. Under the "Other users" heading, click on the name of the account holder you want to remove from Windows 10.

6. Click Remove.

How to delete a user profile from Windows 10 and erase all their data and files
You won't be able to remove your own account while you're logged into it.Kyle Wilson/Insider

7. Click Delete account and data in the pop-up that appears. The account will then be removed.

How to delete a user profile from Windows 10 and erase all their data and files
Make sure that you're okay with all that user's data being deleted.Kyle Wilson/Insider

Note, however, that this method only works for users listed as "Other users." If you've added another user to your "Family," you'll have to instead:

1. Go to https://account.microsoft.com/family/ and sign into your Microsoft account.

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2. You'll be brought to a page that shows all the accounts currently connected to your "Microsoft family."

3. Underneath the name of the person you want to delete, click More options and then Remove from family group.

Once you do this, their account should be deleted.

Quick tip: Deleting a user from your Windows 10 machine will permanently delete all of their associated data, documents, and more. If needed, ensure the user has a backup of any important files they want to keep before you delete.

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