How do I remove a Microsoft account I no longer have access to?

Question

How do I remove a Microsoft account I no longer have access to?

Danette McKinley 15

I accessed my former employer's email and onedrive files from my personal computer but I don't work there anymore. I can't delete the Outlook default for that former email

4 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Chen1018 13,835 Independent Advisor

Hi there,

I'm Cherrelyn, and I’m here to help.

Please try these suggestion:

Go to Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts on your PC.
Under Accounts used by other apps, locate the old work account and click Remove.
If it's still set as the default in Outlook, open Outlook > File > Account Settings > Account Settings, select the old account, then click Remove (you may need to set another account as default first).
Also check Access work or school in Windows settings and disconnect the account if it’s listed.

This should fully remove the old account from your system. Let me know if anything still shows up afterward.

I hope this will help and if you have any question please don't hesitate to reply to this thread.

Warm regards,

Cherrelyn

david 0 Reputation points

2025-09-11T01:38:12.6166667+00:00

hi so unfortunately when i go to Under Accounts used by other apps, the option to remove it is unavailable it just says manage but to manage it i need to log in
Anne 0 Reputation points

2025-10-02T08:13:00.21+00:00
the option:

If it's still set as the default in Outlook, open Outlook > File > Account Settings > Account Settings, select the old account, then click Remove (you may need to set another account as default first).

Is not possible as the account I want to delete is set as a primary account.

What can I now as outlook is still checking this account when it is opening.

More insights are welcome.
Roberta Ajdinovich 0 Reputation points

2025-10-21T16:32:29.37+00:00

but how do I get a refund and don't send me refund because that didn't work

Answer 2

I have the same problem as Danette McKinley. I was able to 'remove' the work account under settings / accounts/ email & accounts on my laptop however under windows setting the work email is still displaying. If I click Manage button, Microsoft Sign in window displays & if I sign in with my person account, I get an error message indicating I have to sign in with work/school account. I cannot get this cleaned up. Also if I click my File Explorer the Home view that opens shows 'Account disconnected' so basically File Explorer expects the Work account.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

Answer 3

Adriana Montano 0

Hi,

I too am having the same problem. My friends boyfriend used my computer and now he is the admin on it. I made my own outlook account but am unable to remove him as a user as well as make myself the admin.

Please advise, I can barely use this computer without his email popping up, which I do not have access to.

Answer 4

Roberta Ajdinovich 0

I no longer have the computer associated with this microsoft account

Stefan Blom 317.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-10-21T16:40:43.1066667+00:00

@Roberta Ajdinovich,

If you have the credentials saved in your browser, you can remove them from there. Beyond that, there isn't anything you can do. If it is an account created by a former employer, the employer will delete the account for you (sooner or later).

Even personal accounts will be deleted (by Microsoft) after some time of inactivity (two years, I think).
Roberta Ajdinovich 0 Reputation points

2025-10-25T17:48:02.4266667+00:00

The account is on my old computer that doesn't work. I can't even get into it.
Stefan Blom 317.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-10-25T17:51:52.23+00:00

Roberta,

If you remember the user name (e-mail address) for the account, you may be able to recover it. See https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/help-with-the-microsoft-account-recovery-form-b19c02d1-a782-dee6-93c3-dc8113b20c42 .

However, what you should do, or need to do, depends on what you want with the account. If you no longer need it, just ignore it and wait until Microsoft closes it.

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How do I remove a Microsoft account I no longer have access to?

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