Account of the last owner won't go away ?


br0kensp3ar

br0kensp3ar

Member
Local time
9:20 AM
Posts
2
OS
Windows 11 Home Single Language
I got this laptop (see my specs) from my uncle who already built his own gaming PC. He gave it to me as is, and the only files inside are just gaming stuffs (Steam, Walkthrough Docs, Cheats, etc.) nothing important.

I requested my more tech-savvy friend to reinstall windows on this machine, but he refused saying if there's nothing big wrong with it, then it's unnecessary. So I went on deleting stuffs, including my uncle's account. From settings app to control panel, all I see is just my account, there's no other account, not even guest ones.

Yet, every time I turn this laptop on, the first account that greet me is my unc old email... It's not until I either click my own profile picture on the bottom left corner or wait for the lock screen to stop displaying the account, then it will display my own.

I have no idea what's left that I didn't do to remove that old account, and it's only on the lock screen, the account doesn't appear anywhere else. It just bothers me lol

Something new that I just realized is that when I check the Windows Version using winver command, it says that this Windows 11 is registered to my uncle's old gmail account... maybe it has something to do with that ? how do I change it ? or at least just a way to remove the nonexistent account in sign-in screen ?
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11 Home Single Language 24H2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home Single Language
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Legion
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9750H CPU @ 2.60GHz 2.59 GHz
    Memory
    16,0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
check Settings > Accounts > Emails & Accounts
remove his email if linked

open command prompt and type:
Code: 
net user
what accounts show?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
I would just do a built in reset of the pc and start over.

www.elevenforum.com

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 www.elevenforum.com

Use the remove everything option.

Then set up the pc from scratch.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5700 X3D
    Motherboard
    MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4 3600mhz Gskill Ripjaws V
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4070 Super , 12GB VRAM Asus EVO Overclock
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 2.0) 2560 x 1440 @ 170hz HDR
    Hard Drives
    2TB Samsung nvme ssd
    2TB XPG nvme ssd
    PSU
    CORSAIR RMx SHIFT Series™ RM750x 80 PLUS Gold Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
    Case
    CORSAIR 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower ATX PC Case – Black
    Cooling
    ID-COOLING FROSTFLOW X 240 CPU Water Cooler
    Internet Speed
    900mbps DOWN, 100mbps UP
  • Operating System
    Chrome OS
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Chromebook
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Quad Core
    Memory
    4GB LPDDR4
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14 Inch HD SVA anti glare micro edge display
    Hard Drives
    64 GB emmc
The above options are valid

However, for me, whenever I take over a computer - no matter from whom - a clean install is absolute

www.elevenforum.com

Clean Install Windows 11

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to clean install Windows 11 at boot on your PC with or without an Internet connection and setup with a local account or Microsoft account. Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 2xH2 (latest update ... forever anal)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Slim S01
    CPU
    Intel i5-12400
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT730
    Sound Card
    OOBE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 32"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB KIOXIA NVMe
    1TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    OOBE
    Case
    OOBE
    Cooling
    OOBE
    Keyboard
    BT
    Mouse
    BT
    Browser
    Brave FFox Chrome Opera
    Antivirus
    KIS
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 2xH2 (latest update ... 4ever anal)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion 15
    CPU
    i7-1165G7 @ 2.80GHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Hard Drives
    Samsung NVMe 512GB
    + numerous/multiple SSD Type C USB enclosures
    Internet Speed
    NBN FTTN 50
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    KIS
A reset and remove everything completely wipes Windows and boots up to OOBE just like a clean install. You start fresh just like a clean install. You can do that from recovery.
settingss>system>recovery
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.3194
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme+256gb SKHynix m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+1tb Kingston m2.nvme+ 4gb Solidigm nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
andrew129260 said:
I would just do a built in reset of the pc and start over.

www.elevenforum.com

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 www.elevenforum.com

Use the remove everything option.

Then set up the pc from scratch.
Click to expand...
I can attest that that works just fine. The only thing that is left from the old account (my son) is what I backed up to another drive before resetting the computer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ABS (Newegg)
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10400F CPU @ 2.90GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. PRIME B560M-A AC Rev 1.xx
    Memory
    Corsair VENGEANCE® LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 DRAM 3600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
    Sound Card
    Realtek Digital Output (Realtek(R) Audio)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VS 2725 -2k 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 100hz
    Hard Drives
    T-FORCE TM8FP800 1TB + a couple SATA SSDs
    PSU
    Gigabyte P650E
    Case
    DeepCool Matrexx 50 mid-tower
    Cooling
    a whole bunch of fans
    Keyboard
    Perixx
    Mouse
    Amazon Basic
    Internet Speed
    Starlink: speed varies
    Browser
    Brave/Chrome (for ATG)
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    An assortment of "land fill, obsolete" computers all running Linux Mint 22 (at the moment).
A factory reset will only work so far on most proprietary systems before it starts reaching for old defaults. Seems to me it's pulling from the backup that was registered to the original installation. Taking full ownership of your PC is rarely advised due to security risks, but this is an entirely different matter. There is a reason why people don't want to set up their Windows Installation with a Microsoft account. You are always safer with a local account. Safer from adware, safer from bloatware, and safer from bots that "think" they know better than you do. This doesn't mean that you can't make a Microsoft account later and access it from your local account. You will certainly have more control of your PC doing it this way.

Personally, I would do a fresh install on a separate, clean drive. If Windows asks for a different key after letting it scan for one I'd get a different activation key. But that's just me. User preference prevails.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN 11, WIN 10, WIN 8.1, WIN 7 U, WIN 7 PRO, WIN 7 HOME (32 Bit), LINUX MINT
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY, ASUS, and DELL
    CPU
    Intel i7 6900K (octocore) / AMD 3800X (8 core)
    Motherboard
    ASUS X99E-WS USB 3.1
    Memory
    128 GB CORSAIR DOMINATOR PLATINUM (B DIE)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA 1070
    Sound Card
    Crystal Sound (onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    single Samsung 30" 4K and 8" aux monitor
    Screen Resolution
    4K and something equally attrocious
    Hard Drives
    A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W

    Ports X, Y, and Z are reserved for USB access and removable drives.

    Drive types consist of the following: Various mechanical hard drives bearing the brand names, Seagate, Toshiba, and Western Digital. Various NVMe drives bearing the brand names Kingston, Intel, Silicon Power, Crucial, Western Digital, and Team Group. Various SATA SSDs bearing various different brand names.

    RAID arrays included:

    LSI RAID 10 (WD Velociraptors) 1115.72 GB
    LSI RAID 10 (WD SSDS) 463.80 GB

    INTEL RAID 0 (KINGSTON HYPER X) System 447.14 GB
    INTEL RAID 1 TOSHIBA ENTERPRIZE class Data 2794.52 GB
    INTEL RAID 1 SEAGATE HYBRID 931.51 GB
    PSU
    SEVERAL. I prefer my Corsair Platinum HX1000i but I also like EVGA power supplies
    Case
    ThermalTake Level 10 GT (among others)
    Cooling
    Noctua is my favorite and I use it in my main. I also own various other coolers. Not a fan of liquid cooling.
    Keyboard
    all kinds.
    Mouse
    all kinds
    Internet Speed
    360 mbps - 1 gbps (depending)
    Browser
    FIREFOX
    Antivirus
    KASPERSKY (no apologies)
    Other Info
    I own too many laptops: A Dell touch screen with Windows 11 and 6 others (not counting the other four laptops I bought for this household.) Being a PC builder I own many desktop PCs as well. I am a father of five providing PCs, laptops, and tablets for all my family, most of which I have modified, rebuilt, or simply built from scratch. I do not own a cell phone, never have, never will.
br0kensp3ar said:
....or at least just a way to remove the nonexistent account in sign-in screen ?
Click to expand...
A nonexistant account on the sign-in screen is usually due to having set it up to automatically sign in. Remove it from automatic sign in and it should go away.

www.elevenforum.com

Enable or Disable Automatically Sign in Account at Startup in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable automatically sign in to a specific account at startup to boot directly to the desktop in Windows 11. By default at the startup of Windows 11, you need to dismiss the Lock screen, select the account you want to sign in to on the Sign-in...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October 2021 it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update, and 24H2 on 3rd October 2024 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 24H2.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package. In-place upgrade to 24H2 using hybrid 23H2/24H2 install media. Also running Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine.
dacrone said:
check Settings > Accounts > Emails & Accounts
remove his email if linked

open command prompt and type:
Code: 
net user
what accounts show?
Click to expand...
Emails & Accounts just show my hotmail account.
Code: 
net user
only show
Administrator: my name
DefaultAccount: WDAGUtilityAccount
Guest: -empty-

Bree said:
A nonexistant account on the sign-in screen is usually due to having set it up to automatically sign in. Remove it from automatic sign in and it should go away.

www.elevenforum.com

Enable or Disable Automatically Sign in Account at Startup in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable automatically sign in to a specific account at startup to boot directly to the desktop in Windows 11. By default at the startup of Windows 11, you need to dismiss the Lock screen, select the account you want to sign in to on the Sign-in...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
Click to expand...
do I need to see the nonexistent account in netplwiz menu ? because there's no other users there--not the old uncle email account--there's only 1 account, and it's mine.

andrew129260 said:
I would just do a built in reset of the pc and start over.

www.elevenforum.com

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 www.elevenforum.com

Use the remove everything option.

Then set up the pc from scratch.
Click to expand...

yeah I think I'd do this if nothing else works, might have to finish the installed games and do backup first lol.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home Single Language
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Legion
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9750H CPU @ 2.60GHz 2.59 GHz
    Memory
    16,0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
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