Windows users

pewe · Apr 20, 2025

Where does Windows 11 store user details - other than in Settings/Accounts.
I have taken over a pc which I have registered to my MS account, and removed the previous owner in Settings/Accounts - where no other users now show.

However the e-mail address/name of the previous owner still shows up - for example if I go to register an app (such as 365. Windows Defender, etc) I am ask which account I want to use and it offers mine or the previous owners - so that must still be stored somewhere.

antspants · Apr 20, 2025

I would quite honestly do a reset. You’ve only had the computer a couple of days. You’re just taking on issues from the previous owner when you don’t need to.

But that’s up to you. You can keep chipping away at these “previous owner” issues or you can make it your own.

Cheers.

Reset Windows 11 PC

This tutorial will show you how to reset Windows 11 and Remove everything or Keep my files. You can reset Windows 11 when your PC isn’t working well and it’s been a while since you installed an app, driver, or update. Resetting reinstalls Windows 11, but lets you choose whether to keep your...

www.elevenforum.com

pewe · Apr 20, 2025

antspants said:
I would quite honestly do a reset. You’ve only had the computer a couple of days. You’re just taking on issues from the previous owner when you don’t need to.

But that’s up to you. You can keep chipping away at these “previous owner” issues or you can make it your own.

Cheers.

Reset Windows 11 PC

This tutorial will show you how to reset Windows 11 and Remove everything or Keep my files. You can reset Windows 11 when your PC isn’t working well and it’s been a while since you installed an app, driver, or update. Resetting reinstalls Windows 11, but lets you choose whether to keep your...

www.elevenforum.com

Thanks - there are a lot of options in that post. I'll study them and decide which is the best way forward.

neemobeer · Apr 20, 2025

MS account users are stored in the SAM just like local users. You can remove the account without a reinstall.

Settings
Accounts
'Other Users'
Click the arrow next to the account name
On the line that says 'Account and Data' click remove

pewe · Apr 20, 2025

neemobeer said:
MS account users are stored in the SAM just like local users. You can remove the account without a reinstall.

Settings

Accounts

'Other Users'

Click the arrow next to the account name

On the line that says 'Account and Data' click remove

As I mentioned, I already did that, and no other users now appear in there - but I'm still asked whixh of 2 users I want to register when I go to install any apps that would be linked to my MS account.

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 20, 2025

I'm with antspants, I'd just do a clean Windows install. You'll not get someone else's problems.

neemobeer · Apr 20, 2025

Did you check

Settings
Accounts
'Email and Accounts'

This is where you specifically tie MS services to MS accounts

dacrone · Apr 20, 2025

Settings > Accounts > emails and accounts

Settings > Accounts > work & school

Credential Manager

Search the registry for that email address too

siliconbeaver · Apr 20, 2025

second,

clean-install.

gunrunnerjohn said:
I'm with antspants, I'd just do a clean Windows install. You'll not get someone else's problems.

PhilB · Apr 20, 2025

Why not do a fresh install? That would get rid of all the cruft from the previous owner's use of the system.

glasskuter · Apr 20, 2025

I totally agree with @antspants . I would never use an installation that belongd to someone else. Do a reset and remove everything.
This accomplishes the same thing a clean install does. It puts the machine into an oobe state.

Then, if by some chance the reset does not work, you could choose to do a clean install.

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 20, 2025

glasskuter said:
I totally agree with @antspants . I would never use an installation that belongd to someone else. Do a reset and remove everything.
This accomplishes the same thing a clean install does. It puts the machine into an oobe state.

Then, if by some chance the reset does not work, you could choose to do a clean install.

My only problem with a reset is if the installation is compromised, you may still have an issue with the system, might as well go for the clean install and be sure it's the best it can be. It's already limited by being Windows, no need to give it another potential handicap!

I had a Win10 installation that I did all the usual diagnostic corrections, but it still had issues after being booted for more than a couple of days.

Bree · Apr 21, 2025

pewe said:
However the e-mail address/name of the previous owner still shows up - for example if I go to register an app (such as 365. Windows Defender, etc) I am ask which account I want to use and it offers mine or the previous owners - so that must still be stored somewhere.

I'd clean install too. But if you insist on a 'clean up' then a couple of places are:

Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts

...and Control Panel > Credentials Manager > Windows Credentials

pewe · Apr 21, 2025

dacrone said:
Search the registry for that email address too

As the previous owner had only used the system for a week or so and had not added anything beyond setting up Windows when he got it, I decided to try cleaning the registry.
I found his email in 7 places and after deleting all references everything seems as it should be.
Thanks to everyone for their input.

dacrone · Apr 21, 2025

please mark as resolved if you're good with the outcome. thanks.

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 21, 2025

pewe said:
As the previous owner had only used the system for a week or so and had not added anything beyond setting up Windows when he got it, I decided to try cleaning the registry.
I found his email in 7 places and after deleting all references everything seems as it should be.
Thanks to everyone for their input.

You might have led with the fact that it was a brand new computer that was just run through the basic setup, that might change the answers you get. Remember, everyone here is just acting on the information provided. The system could have been in use for several years with all sorts of mods, etc., we had no way of knowing, that's why the strong recommendations for a clean install.

antspants · Apr 21, 2025

gunrunnerjohn said:
You might have led with the fact that it was a brand new computer that was just run through the basic setup…

Maybe it was brand new, maybe it wasn’t. All pewe said is the previous owner only had it a week. I still would of reset or reinstalled. I don’t trust anyone, nor do I like the unknown if problems arise.

PhilB · Apr 22, 2025

antspants said:
Maybe it was brand new, maybe it wasn’t. All pewe said is the previous owner only had it a week. I still would of reset or reinstalled. I don’t trust anyone, nor do I like the unknown if problems arise.

I once got an obviously used laptop when I was buying a new one. I didn't try to clean it up. What I did was contact the seller, who to his credit took it back for a full refund. Plus $25 for my inconvenience. I wish I remember that reseller's name.

idgat · Apr 22, 2025

pewe said:
I have taken over a pc

... on which you should have done a clean install. NEVER EVER NEVER EVER just take over someone's device and just simply apply your own account and settings, no matter what its usage status is/was. For example, can you absolutely guarantee that no nefarious software was installed, intentionally or unintentionally?

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 22, 2025

idgat said:
... on which you should have done a clean install. NEVER EVER NEVER EVER just take over someone's device and just simple apply your own account and settings, no matter what its usage status is/was. For example, can you absolutely guarantee that no nefarious software was installed, intentionally or unintentionally?

I think you're preaching to the choir here.

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