Disable a user account

If you have a user account that you want to make unavailable, you can disable it. A disabled account can be enabled again later. Disabling an account is different from deleting an account. If you delete an account, it can't be restored.

Note

• These steps cannot be completed on Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic, and Windows 7 Home Premium. In these editions of Windows, you can delete a user account but you can't disable one.

1. Click to open Microsoft Management Console.‌  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

2. In the left pane of Microsoft Management Console, click Local Users and Groups.

3. Double-click the Users folder.

4. Right-click the user account you want to disable, and then click Properties.

5. On the General tab, select the Account is disabled check box, and then click OK.

Note

• To enable a disabled account, follow the same steps as you would for disabling an account, but clear the Account is disabled check box.