Removing an account from a Windows 10 laptop?


  1. Posts : 271
    Windows 10 pro x64
       #1

    Removing an account from a Windows 10 laptop?


    This laptop used to be my wife's, it's now mine!
    She had an administrator account, and started the laptop without the need to enter a password!

    I created a new Admin account in my name, but use a password to start my account, the problem is I cannot delete her account even though I have removed her accounts Admin privileges and set her account as a standard one. The reason I cannot delete her account is because I need to close her session on the laptop and then boot into my account first?

    Now here is the bit I cannot solve: If I close the laptop down her account is shut down, but as soon as I boot up the laptop again her account loads automatically and I am not given an option to boot into my account, and I need to boot into my account while hers is shut down (before it loads).
    There is probably an easy way to stop her account from auto booting but I can't find it?

    Any help/solution would be welcome please!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 31,630
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #2

    You don't need to stop it signing in to her account at start up.

    When the laptop boots up it logs into her account. All you have to do now is to sign out (as her) then sign in to your own account. A couple of ways to sign out: click on Start, then click on her user icon that appears on the left of the start menu, one of the options you will see is 'sign out'. Alternatively, use Ctrl-Alt-Del to bring up a blue screen with (amongst others) a sign out option. More here...

    Sign out of Windows 10

    Note that (depending on how you do it) deleting an account may well delete all her documents and data too. You may want to keep some of her documents, photos and so on. See this tutorial for more details...

    Delete User Account in Windows 10
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       #3

    You might want to check in NETPLWIZ that the box for Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer is checked.

    Removing an account from a Windows 10 laptop?-untitled.jpg

    See here for more info:
    Sign in User Account Automatically at Windows 10 Startup Windows 10 User Accounts Tutorials
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 271
    Windows 10 pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Right! I removed the account in the settings menu (worked like a charm!) ..... But, when I re-started the e-mail address and sign in option for my wife was still displayed on the lock screen, even though the account no longer exists?
    I can't find a way to remove this? Tried re-booting a few times, but after shutting down several times the sign in option for my wife is still displayed?
    PS: I can change the sign in option on the lock screen to sign into my new account, but would like to remove the lock screen sign in info for my wife's old account?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       #5

    See my previous post, but uncheck that box. Then i can't remember if you click apply, or if the user name and password screen just appears. But when the username and password screen does appear, just cancel it. Then click ok to accept it with that check box checked again.

    Toggling the check box for requiring a username and password off then back on again will clear ghost accounts appearing on the login screen.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 271
    Windows 10 pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    That did it ... Thanks NavyLCDR, this problem is now solved. My thanks to everyone who helped!
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       #7

    Glad we could help!
      My Computer


 

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