Removing a Microsoft account from Windows 10 without knowing the password can feel kinda daunting, but surprisingly, it’s doable if you know where to look. Usually, Microsoft’s login system makes it tricky to get rid of an account without credentials, but by creating a local user with admin rights, you get a backdoor way to remove that account. This is handy especially if you’re locked out or the password is forgotten, and still want control over your PC’s user accounts. Keep in mind, this isn’t a fancy hack — just a workaround that uses Windows’ own settings, though the process might feel a bit clunky sometimes. It’s pretty straightforward for anyone comfortable poking around the Settings and running a couple of commands.
How to Remove Microsoft Account from Windows 10 Without Password
Method 1: Using a Local Account to Bypass the Password
This method knocks down the main hurdle — you’re creating a local account as an admin, then using that to remove the stubborn Microsoft account. Basically, it works because you’re switching to a fresh local login, which doesn’t rely on your forgotten password for the Microsoft account. On some setups, this feels smooth, but on others, Windows can be super finicky. So, don’t be surprised if you need to repeat some steps or restart a couple of times.
Create a Local Account with Admin Privileges
- Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users (or Other users depending on Windows version).
- Click on Add someone else to this PC.
- Choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in info, then select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
- Set a username like “LocalAdmin” and a password if you want. After creating it, click on the new user, then hit Change account type.
- Set the new account to “Administrator” — basically, give it full control.
Now, you’ve got a local account with admin rights. On some machines, you might need to enable the hidden Administrator account first, which is a little extra step (details later if needed).
Sign in to the Local Account
- Sign out from your current account, then log back into the new local account.
- This gives you an admin-level foothold to do the dirty work.
Open User Accounts and Remove the Microsoft Account
Once logged in to the local account, you can try removing the Microsoft account:
- Press Windows + R, then type
netplwizand hit Enter. - In the User Accounts window, you’ll see the list of accounts. Pick the Microsoft account you want gone.
- Click Remove. On some versions, this might be greyed out if Windows still senses the account is active or linked to system functions.
If that’s the case, you might have to disable account linking via the Registry or use some command line tricks, but for most, this will do the trick.
Confirm Removal and Restart
- Double-check that you’re removing the right account, then confirm.
- Reboot your PC. After restart, the Microsoft account should be gone from your login options.
And voilà! You’ve managed to ditch that account without needing the password to it. Honestly, sometimes Windows is weird about this, and on some setups, it takes a few tries or a quick reboot. Of course, always back up your data before messing around with user accounts — just in case you mess up.
Tips for Removing Microsoft Account from Windows 10 Without Password
- Make sure your local account has admin rights before you start messing with accounts.
- Backup important files, especially if you plan to switch accounts or delete stuff.
- Keep your system updated, as certain account removal features can glitch on older versions.
- If the Microsoft account is tied to services like OneDrive or Office, switch those to a local account first or unlink them—otherwise, they might cause headaches later.
- Double-check which account you’re removing — accidentally deleting the wrong one can be a mess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a Microsoft account without losing data?
Yeah, but that depends. If you’re just removing the account from your login without deleting user data, it’s safe—though it’s wise to backup first just in case. When you remove an account, its local data might get cleaned up unless you save it elsewhere.
Do I need internet to do these steps?
Nope, once you’ve created a local account, everything is offline. No need to be connected once you’re past the initial setup.
What if I delete the wrong account?
That’s always a risk — the account info is gone for good after removal, so double-check before confirming. Sometimes Windows doesn’t give a clear warning, so stay alert.
Is running a local account less safe?
Not really, just different. Local accounts don’t sync stuff via the cloud, but they’re just as safe for regular use. No worries if you’re not into Microsoft’s ecosystem.
Can I add the Microsoft account back later?
Definitely. You can always go into Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options to re-add or switch back to a Microsoft account.
Summary
- Create a local admin account.
- Sign in to it.
- Open netplwiz.
- Select the Microsoft account and remove it.
- Restart and enjoy a cleaner login screen.
Wrap-up
Honestly, it’s kind of a pain that Windows makes this process tormented — of course, because Windows has to make it harder than necessary. But if you follow the steps above, you can get rid of that stubborn Microsoft account even if you don’t remember the password. Just keep in mind, sometimes the steps work smoothly, other times you’ll need to do a bit of extra tinkering or reboot a couple of times. Either way, it’s a handy trick to have up your sleeve when you’re locked out or trying to clean up your machine.