To sign out of your Microsoft account on a PC, you can end your current Windows user session or fully disconnect the account by switching to a local account. This article covers both approaches and additional methods for signing out of Office apps, web browsers, and all devices remotely.
Sign out of your Windows user session
The quickest way to end your current user session is through the Start Menu. Click the Start icon, select your profile picture or the Accounts icon, and then click "Sign out". This returns you to the Windows sign-in screen where another user can log in. Free up the computer for someone else when you are finished using it.
Alternatively, you can sign out of your Windows user session by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete and selecting "Sign out" from the security screen that appears. This method works even if the Start Menu is unresponsive, giving you a reliable fallback.
Switch to a local account to disconnect your Microsoft account
To fully remove your Microsoft account as the primary login for Windows, you must switch your Windows profile to a local account. This is the only way to effectively "sign out" your Microsoft account from being the primary login for Windows. Stop sharing data with Microsoft by using a local account that does not sync settings or files to the cloud.
- Open Settings (press Windows key + I).
- Go to Accounts > Your info.
- Select "Sign in with a local account instead".
- Follow the on-screen prompts to create a local username and password.
- Sign out and sign back in with the new local account.
After switching, your Microsoft account is no longer tied to the Windows sign-in, though your files remain on the PC.
Sign out of Microsoft 365 and Office apps
To sign out of individual Microsoft 365 or Office applications on a PC, open any Office app, go to File > Account (or "Office Account" in Outlook), and then click "Sign out". After signing out, close all Microsoft 365 or Office applications to complete the sign-out process. Stop syncing your settings and recent files between devices, as signing out disconnects the app from services like OneDrive, removes your settings, and clears the list of frequently used documents.
Note that signing out of an Office app does not automatically sign you out of the OneDrive sync app on your computer. If you are using Microsoft 365, it is generally recommended to stay signed in for Office to remain activated.
Sign out of your Microsoft account in a web browser
To sign out of your Microsoft account in a web browser, select your profile picture in the top right corner of the page and select "Sign out", then close all browser windows. Prevent someone else from accessing your email and files on a shared or public computer. Closing all browser windows is critical because some Microsoft services may keep you signed in if any window remains open.
Remotely sign out of your Microsoft account everywhere
To sign out of your Microsoft account on all devices remotely, go to your Microsoft account security dashboard, select "Advanced security options", scroll down to "Sign out everywhere", and select "Sign out". Kick out all devices after losing one or changing your password to ensure no unauthorized access remains. A remote "Sign out everywhere" action can take up to 24 hours to complete, so plan accordingly.
Use Task Manager as a fallback to sign out
If the Start Menu is unresponsive or other methods fail, you can sign out via Task Manager. Right-click on the taskbar and select "Task Manager", or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Click the "Users" tab, right-click your active session, and select "Sign out". This method works even when the normal sign-out options are not accessible.
