This guide is for small-business employees who need to clean up old or unnecessary user accounts on a Windows 11 computer. Removing unneeded profiles through the Settings app frees up space and keeps your device tidy, and the process takes only a few minutes.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
When you remove a user account, Windows gives you two choices about that user’s personal files (documents, pictures, and similar items):
- Delete account and data – Removes the account and all associated files from the computer permanently.
- Keep files – Deletes the account but saves the user’s personal files in a new folder on the desktop so you can retrieve them later.
Make sure you know which option is right for your situation before you begin.
Steps to Remove a User Profile
- Open Settings. Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
- Go to Accounts. In the left sidebar, click Accounts.
- Navigate to Other Users. Click Family & other users.
- Locate the account. Under the Other users section, find the account you want to remove.
- Click Remove. Click on the account to expand it, then click the Remove button.
- Confirm the deletion. A prompt will appear asking you to confirm and to choose what happens to the user’s files.
- Choose to keep or delete the files. Select either Delete account and data or Keep files based on your needs.
- Finalize the removal. Click the appropriate button to complete the process.
Need Help?
If you run into any issues or are unsure which option to choose, the team at Advanced Computer Solutions is happy to assist. Contact ACS here.
Common questions
Will removing a user profile delete all of that person’s files?
Not necessarily. During the removal process, Windows gives you the choice to either delete the account and all its data permanently, or keep the user’s personal files (documents, pictures, etc.) in a new folder on the desktop.
Do I need administrator access to remove a user profile in Windows 11?
Yes. You must be signed in to an administrator account to access the Other users settings and remove profiles from a Windows 11 computer.
Can I recover a user profile after it has been deleted?
Once you choose ‘Delete account and data’ and confirm, the account and its associated files are permanently removed and cannot be recovered through Windows Settings. If you are unsure, choose ‘Keep files’ first so the data is preserved on the desktop.