How to Sign Out and Remove Your Account from Windows

A precise guide on securely signing out and removing your user profile from a Windows 10 or 11 computer to protect your data.

1. Sign out of your active user session. Click the Start button on the taskbar. Select your User Account icon, then choose Sign out from the dropdown menu to terminate your active session.
2. Access Account Settings. Log back into the PC using an administrator account. Press the Windows key, type Settings, and press Enter to open the system configuration panel.
3. Locate user account settings. In the left-hand sidebar, select Accounts. Click on the Other users or Family & other users tab to view the list of accounts currently stored on the device.
4. Choose the account for removal. Find the account you wish to remove from the list. Click the small downward arrow to expand the account options, then click the Remove button.
5. Delete account data. A prompt will appear warning that all account data, including files on the desktop and in Documents, will be erased. Confirm the action by clicking Delete account and data.