How to Remove an Admin Account on Windows 10 Without Knowing the Password
If you’re stuck trying to get rid of an admin account on Windows 10 but don’t have the password, don’t worry — it’s easier than you might think. You’ll just need access to another account that already has admin privileges. The trick is to get into the user management settings without causing alarm bells to ring. It might sound complicated, but once you’re set up, it’s pretty straightforward.
Deleting an Admin Account Without the Password
The main thing is having at least one admin account you can log into. Without that, you’re a bit stuck. If you do have access, start by signing into that admin account. Then, it’s a matter of navigating to user management and removing the unwanted account. Follow these steps:
Sign In with an Alternate Admin Account
Log into an existing admin account. If you don’t have one, you might need to enable the hidden Administrator account—boot into Safe Mode to do this. It’s a bit of a hassle, but Windows makes it doable. To enable it, hold Shift and click Restart, then select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt, and activate the account manually if needed.
Open the Control Panel
Next, open the Start menu and type “Control Panel”. Open it up. You’ll use this to access user account settings without getting lost in a maze of menus that Windows loves to throw your way.
Access User Account Management
In Control Panel, click on “User Accounts”. Here you’ll see all the user profiles on the machine. If you prefer the command line, open PowerShell or Command Prompt and type:
net user
This command lists all user accounts, helping you identify which one you want to remove.
Manage and Remove the Account
In the user management area, click “Manage another account”. A list of user profiles will appear. Pick the admin account you want gone, double-check the details, then click delete. Be aware, once you delete, it’s permanent. Alternatively, you can remove the account using the command line:
net user "AccountName" /delete
Just replace AccountName with the actual username. Easy as that.
Final Step: Delete the Admin Account
Click ‘Delete the account’. Windows will prompt you to decide whether to keep or delete the files associated with that account. If you’re not saving anything important in that profile, it’s safest to delete everything. To tidy up completely, delete the user folder located at:
C:\Users\AccountName
If you want to clear out old data, just delete this folder after removing the account. Remember, this process is irreversible, so back up anything you might need before you start.
Quick Tips for Managing Admin Accounts
- Always have at least one active admin account so you don’t get locked out completely. If needed, activate the hidden Administrator account with
net user Administrator /active:yes. - Back up important files before deleting an account. Use a USB drive, external HDD, or cloud storage—whatever’s easiest for you.
- Familiarise yourself with User Account Control (UAC). Change its settings via Control Panel > User Accounts > Change User Account Control settings.
- Periodically check your account activity using Event Viewer or Task Manager to spot any unusual activity.
- If unsure about deleting an account, consider disabling it first with:
net user "AccountName" /active:no. You can re-enable it later if needed.
Common Questions About Deleting Admin Accounts
What happens when you delete an admin account?
All data associated with that account—settings, files, and preferences—will be wiped out. Make sure you’ve backed up anything you might need later, because once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.
Can you recover a deleted admin account?
Usually not, unless you’ve created a backup or restore point beforehand. To be safe, create a restore point before deleting, by running rstrui.exe from the Run dialog (Windows + R).
What if there’s no other admin account available?
Things get tricky then. You’ll need at least one admin account to perform the deletion. If none exists, boot into Safe Mode or use a recovery drive to enable the built-in Administrator account.
Can you delete the only admin account on your PC?
Nope — Windows requires at least one admin account to stay active. If you want to remove the only admin account, you’ll need to enable a different admin account first or reactivate the built-in Administrator account.
How do I back up files before deleting an admin account?
Log into the account, then copy important data to an external drive or the cloud. Using command prompt? You could employ:
xcopy /E /H /C /I "C:\Users\AccountName" "D:\Backup\AccountName"
Ensure that your backup location (like D:\Backup) is correct. Better safe than sorry!
Final Thoughts on Removing Admin Accounts
Deleting an admin account without a password may seem daunting, but it’s quite manageable with some care. Understanding how Windows manages admin accounts can save you headaches later on. Always back up your data and ensure you have a functioning admin account before deleting any profiles. That way, your system stays safe and accessible.
Double-check your setup, back up your critical files, and manage those accounts wisely—that’s the key to keeping Windows 10 running smoothly.
This method has worked on a few machines, so hopefully it saves someone else a bit of hassle too.