How to Remove a User Profile from Windows 10 [Solved]

Occasionally, a user might wish to remove a user profile from Windows 10 due to various reasons. These reasons could encompass file corruption within the user profile, misbehaving specific applications, or a user-initiated complete reset to embark on a fresh start.

Windows 10 allows you to delete a user profile without removing the user account. Before delving into the specifics, let's first define user profiles, so you can better understand the distinction between a user profile and a user account.

# 1 What is a User Profile on Windows A User Profile in Windows is a collection of personal settings, preferences, and data that define the individual user's experience on a computer running the Windows operating system. When you create a new user account or log in to an existing one, Windows creates or loads a unique profile for that user. User profiles ensure that each user has their own personalized environment, with settings such as desktop background, screen resolution, start menu customization, saved documents, application data, and more. This allows multiple users to share the same device while maintaining their privacy and having their own distinct workspace. There are three main types of user profiles in Windows: 1. **Standard User Profile**: The most common type, where users have limited permissions and cannot make significant system-wide changes. They can install applications and customize their settings, but cannot alter core system files or settings. 2. **Admin User Profile**: Users with administrative privileges have full control over the system and can make changes that affect all users, such as installing software, modifying system settings, and managing other user accounts. 3. **Guest Profile**: A limited account used for temporary access, usually without the ability to make changes to the system or access sensitive data. Windows also offers two types of user profile storage: 1. **Local User Profile**: The profile is stored on the local computer and is specific to that device. If the user logs in on a different Windows machine, they will have a different profile. 2. **Roaming User Profile**: In a network environment, a roaming profile follows the user across different computers within the network. It saves the user's settings on a server, so when they log in from any device connected to the network, their profile is loaded, providing a consistent experience. Managing user profiles is essential for maintaining system stability, user privacy, and efficient collaboration when multiple users share a Windows computer.

A user profile is a collection of stored user settings and information pertaining to the associated user account. To comprehend it better, follow these steps:

Step 1. Turn on your PC/laptop with the Windows 10 operating system and click on the "This PC" icon.

Step 2. Here, you will likely see a drive labeled "Local Disk (C:)," click on it.

Step 3. Next, click on "Users" to view all user profiles on your system.

You can view the contents within a user profile, which comprises various files and folders storing information.

On the other hand, a user account serves as your access point to enter Windows 10. It is created during the setup process after installing Windows, and you can log in to your PC/laptop using a user account and create multiple user profiles within it.

How to Remove a User Profile from Windows 10

There are three methods to remove a user profile in Windows 10:

1. Method 1: Manually delete a user profile
2. Method 2: Delete a user profile via system properties
3. Method 3: Delete a user profile from the settings app

Step-by-step procedure to manually delete a user profile in American English: 1. **Access System Settings**: First, head to the system or device's settings menu where user profiles are managed. This is typically done by clicking on the settings icon or navigating to it via the control panel. 2. **Find User Accounts**: Within the system settings, locate the section labeled "User Accounts" or "Users & Groups," depending on your operating system. 3. **Select the User Profile**: Scroll through the list of user accounts and identify the profile you want to delete. It might display the user's name or a profile picture. 4. **Get Admin Privileges**: To delete a user profile, you'll usually need admin rights. Enter your admin credentials when prompted to continue. 5. **Delete the Profile**: With access, look for an option that says "Delete," "Remove," or "Uninstall" the user profile. Click this to initiate the deletion process. 6. **Confirm Deletion**: A confirmation prompt might pop up, asking you to verify if you want to permanently delete the user account and its associated data. Carefully read the warning and click "Yes," "OK," or "Confirm" to proceed. 7. **Wait for Completion**: The system will then start deleting the user profile, which could take a moment, especially if the profile has a lot of files and data. 8. **Restart the System (Optional)**: Sometimes, it's advisable to restart your device to ensure all changes take effect and clear any remaining data from the deleted profile. Keep in mind that deleting a user profile is irreversible, and the data won't be recoverable once it's gone. Be sure to back up any important information before deleting.

Step 1. Turn on your PC/laptop with the Windows 10 operating system and click on the "This PC" icon.

Step 2. In the "Devices and Drives" section, you'll see one or multiple hard drives. Click on Local Disk (C:) or the drive that displays the Windows icon.

Step 3. Next, click on "Users" to view all the user profiles on your system.

Step 4. Right-click on the user profile that you wish to delete.

Step 5. Select the "Delete" option from the dropdown menu.

Step 6. Immediately after that, press the Windows + R key to open the Run command window.

Step 7. Now, type "regedit" and click on the "Ok" button.

Step 8. Copy and paste the following Registry Key into the Registry Editor.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

Step 9. Locate and open the "FileList" folder, then navigate to the "ProfileImagePath."

Step 10. Right-click on this file and select the "Delete" option. A warning message will appear, but you can continue by clicking on the "Yes" option.

Step 11. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC. After restarting, the deleted profile should no longer appear in the "Users" folder.

Step-by-step process to delete a user profile through system properties: 1. **Access System Properties**: First, you need to access the System Properties on your computer. This can typically be done by following these steps: - Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. - Type "sysdm.cpl" in the Run dialog box and press Enter. 2. **Open the Advanced Tab**: In the System Properties window that appears, click on the "Advanced" tab. 3. **Click on User Profiles**: Under the Advanced section, locate and click on the "Settings" button under the "User Profiles" section. 4. **View User Profiles**: A new window titled "User Profiles" will open. Here, you'll see a list of all user profiles available on your system. 5. **Select the Profile to Delete**: Find the user profile you want to delete from the list. Make sure you don't accidentally delete any important profiles, especially the Administrator account. 6. **Delete the Profile**: Click on the user profile you wish to delete, then click the "Delete" button. A warning message may appear, asking for confirmation. Read the message carefully and click "Yes" if you're sure you want to proceed with the deletion. 7. **Confirm Deletion**: The system will then proceed to remove the selected user profile. Once completed, close all windows and restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Please note that deleting a user profile will permanently remove all data associated with that profile. Make sure to back up any important files before proceeding with the deletion.

Step 1. Open the Run command by pressing Windows key + R.

Step 2. Type "systempropertiesadvanced" and click "Ok."

Step 3. Next, click on the "Advanced" tab from the top menu.

Step 4. Click on the Settings button within the "User profile" option.

Step 5. A new User Profiles window will appear. Now, select the profile you wish to delete and click the "Delete" button. When a confirmation window appears, click "Yes." After restarting your PC, the deleted profile will no longer be visible.

Step-by-step procedure to delete a user profile from the settings application: 1. Launch the Settings app: Begin by locating and tapping on the Settings icon on your device's home screen or app drawer. 2. Access the Users & Accounts section: Scroll down through the list of options in the Settings menu and tap on "Users & Accounts" or "Accounts" (the exact label may vary depending on your device). 3. Select the user profile: If you have multiple user profiles, swipe left or right to find the profile you wish to delete. Tap on the one you want to remove. 4. Remove the user profile: Depending on your device, you might see an option like "Remove User" or "Delete User." Tap on that option to proceed. 5. Confirm deletion: A warning message will likely appear, asking you to confirm if you want to delete the user profile. Read the prompt carefully, as this action is usually irreversible. If you're sure, tap on "Delete" or "OK" to continue. 6. Enter authentication details (if required): Some devices may require you to enter your PIN, password, pattern, or biometric authentication before deleting a user profile. 7. Wait for the process to complete: The device will then proceed to remove the selected user profile. This may take a few moments, so be patient. 8. Verify the removal: Once completed, return to the main Settings page and check if the user profile has been successfully deleted. It should no longer appear in the "Users & Accounts" section. Remember that deleting a user profile will erase all associated data and settings specific to that profile. Make sure you've backed up any important information before proceeding.

Step 1. Enter "Settings" in the search bar to open the application.

Step 2. Click on "Accounts" and then select "Family & other users."

Step 3. Select the profile you wish to delete and remove it.

Additionally, you can opt to copy and transfer user profile.

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A user profile serves as an effective means to safeguard your data and maintain privacy when sharing your PC with family or coworkers. If you need to delete a user profile for any reason, this article provides two genuine methods to remove a user profile in Windows 10.