How to remove a Microsoft account from Windows 11
With the Windows 8 makeover in 2012, the software giant made it quite difficult to use the desktop system without a Microsoft account. The same is true in Windows 11. You must sign in with a Microsoft account to unlock the full potential of your PC. But for privacy and other concerns, you can easily remove a Microsoft account from Windows 11 and continue your work locally.
You may not want to sync important files and media to OneDrive or share location with Microsoft on Windows 11. You can use the steps below to remove your Microsoft account from Windows 11.
Should you remove your Microsoft account from Windows 11
First, we don’t recommend completely removing a Microsoft account from a Windows 11 PC. It’s an important part of the Windows 11 experience. An active Microsoft account lets you download apps and games from the Microsoft Store, upload media and documents to OneDrive, and sync your settings across all Windows devices.
But if you don’t want to share your data with Microsoft, you can remove your Microsoft account from Windows 11. It’s also a good idea when you’re landing your laptop at a friend’s for a few days. You can prevent the person from looking at your private OneDrive files and other apps on your computer. Whatever the reason, here are the ways to remove a Microsoft account from Windows 11.
Create a local account on Windows 11
Before removing a Microsoft account from Windows 11, you should first add a local account to your PC. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Press the Windows + I keys to open the Settings app.
Step 2: Select “Accounts” from the left sidebar and click “Other users” in the right pane.
Step 3: Select “Add account”.
Step 4: Click “I don’t have this person’s login information.”
Step 5: Select “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”
Step 6: Enter your username and password and press Next to complete the setup.
To remove your Microsoft account, you must grant administrative rights to the local account. Windows 11 creates a new local account with default permissions. Go through the steps below.
Step 1: Open Accounts in Windows 11 Settings (see steps above).
Step 2: Select “Other users”.
Step 3: Click the down arrow next to your local account.
Step 4: Select “Change account type”.
Step 5: Expand the Account Type menu and select Administrator.
Sign out of your current Microsoft account and sign in again with your local account.
Remove your Microsoft account from Windows 11
After you set up a local account with administrator rights, you can remove all connected Microsoft accounts from your Windows 11 PC. This is how.
Step 1: Launch the Windows 11 Settings menu by pressing the Windows + I keys.
Step 2: Check your local account from the top left corner.
Step 3: Go to Accounts and select Other users.
Step 4: Check your connected Microsoft account.
Step 5: Expand it and select Remove.
Deleting your account removes all data from this PC, including items on your desktop, downloads, photos, music, and other files. Be sure to back up important files to OneDrive or Google Drive.
Step 6: Select “Delete account and data” to confirm the decision.
Your Microsoft account no longer appears on the sign-in screen. You will only see your local account.
Remove your Microsoft account using the Control Center
While Microsoft has done a decent job of importing Control Center options into the redesigned Settings menu in Windows 11, some still prefer the former to make changes on their PC. If you’re among them, read on to learn how to remove a Microsoft account using the Control Center.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Control Center.
Step 2: Press Enter to open the app.
Step 3: Select “User Accounts”.
Step 4: Select “Remove user accounts”.
Step 5: Click on your Microsoft account.
Step 6: Select “Delete account”.
Windows offers an option to keep your local files. The system can automatically save the contents of the desktop and the Documents, Favorites, Music, Pictures and Videos folders to a new folder on the desktop.
Stay local and private
Your local account on Windows 11 has more limitations without any presence of your Microsoft account. Since you cannot download apps from the Microsoft Store, you must install apps from the web. You have to rely on web apps to upload files and create documents as well. Make sure you understand the limitations of a local account before removing your Microsoft account from Windows 11.
