If you have ever had to share your computer with others, you probably have user profiles set up on it. User profiles allow each user to have their own customized desktop, settings, and files. However, if a user profile is no longer needed, it can be deleted to free up space on your computer. In this article, we will show you how to delete a user profile from the Registry.
Before we begin, it’s important to note that modifying the Registry can be dangerous and should only be attempted if you are confident in your ability to do so. It’s also recommended to create a backup of the Registry before making any changes.
Step 1: Open the Registry Editor
To open the Registry Editor, press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type “regedit” in the Run dialog box and press Enter. This will launch the Registry Editor.
Step 2: Navigate to the ProfileList key
In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
This key contains a list of all the user profiles on your computer.
Step 3: Locate the subkey for the user profile you want to delete
Under the ProfileList key, you will see a list of subkeys. Each subkey represents a user profile on your computer. To locate the subkey for the user profile you want to delete, look for the one that contains the user’s name in the ProfileImagePath value.
Step 4: Delete the subkey
Once you have located the subkey for the user profile you want to delete, right-click on it and select Delete from the context menu. When prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
Step 5: Delete the user folder
After deleting the user profile from the Registry, you should also delete the corresponding user folder from the “C:\Users” directory. This will ensure that all files associated with the user profile are removed from your computer.
Deleting a user profile from the Registry is a relatively simple process that can free up space on your computer. However, it’s important to be careful when making changes to the Registry, as a mistake can cause serious problems. If you’re not comfortable with editing the Registry, it’s best to seek the help of a professional.