Signing out of your Microsoft account on a computer helps protect your email, files, and settings when you use a shared or public device. This straightforward process removes your access tokens so no one can browse your data, while keeping your cloud content secure.
Before you begin, note that signing out on Windows, macOS, and most browsers follows the same core steps, with small interface differences. The following guide walks through the essential actions, risks, and settings for every common scenario.
| Platform | Where to find Settings | What Signing Out Does | When to Sign Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10/11 | Start menu → Settings → Accounts → Your info | Removes cached credentials from the system | Leaving a work PC, library computer, or kiosk |
| macOS | System Settings → Apple ID | Logs out of iCloud, App Store, and iMessage | Before lending the Mac to someone else |
| Web Browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) | Profile icon → Settings → Sign out | Clears site-specific sign-in state | Finishing a browsing session on public PCs |
| Mobile Desktop Mode | Browser window expanded to desktop size | May still keep tokens if browser stays signed in | Switching from portable to shared use |
How to Sign Out of Microsoft Account in Windows Settings
On a Windows PC, the fastest way to sign out of your Microsoft account is through the Settings app, which cleanly removes your user profile from the system shell while preserving local files if needed.
Open Settings by pressing Win + I or clicking the Start menu and selecting the gear icon, then choose Accounts and tap Your info. You can select Sign in with a local account instead if you prefer a local user, or choose Sign out to remove the Microsoft session from this device.
When you sign out, Windows clears cached tokens used for Mail, Store, and Start Menu integrations, making the next sign-in prompt mandatory for anyone who uses that machine afterward.
How to Sign Out of Microsoft Account on macOS
Mac users can sign out of their Microsoft account from System Settings under the Apple ID section, which controls iCloud, App Store, Messages, and FaceTime access from Apple devices.
Open System Settings, click your Apple ID at the top, and scroll down to the lower section where each service is listed. Tap the Settings button next to a service, then choose Sign Out to remove the account from that app while optionally keeping a copy of its data locally.
Note that signing out from macOS does not delete files stored in OneDrive unless you explicitly choose to remove them, so decide whether to keep or remove cloud data based on the device you are leaving.
How to Sign Out of Microsoft Account in Web Browsers
Whether you use Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or another browser, signing out of your Microsoft account centers on the profile menu and its sign-out option that terminates the session on that browser only.
Click your profile photo or icon in the top-right corner, select the profile or Microsoft account shown, and choose Sign out from the list. This action clears session cookies for Outlook, Office Web Apps, and other Microsoft services on that browser without affecting other users or devices.
If you share the browser with colleagues or family, closing the tab after signing out and switching user profiles ensures that the next person cannot accidentally access your work or personal data.
How to Sign Out of Microsoft Account on Mobile Devices
On phones and tablets, signing out of your Microsoft account modifies app-level permissions for Mail, Calendar, and OneDrive, and you can manage these controls through your device settings.
Navigate to Settings, Accounts or Users & accounts, tap your Microsoft account, and use Remove Account or Sign out to unlink it from apps that rely on it. Removing the account stops background sync and protects messages, contacts, and attached files from easy access.
Remember that mobile apps may still store documents offline, so pair account removal with app-specific sign-out options and file deletion if the device will be reassigned to another user.
Key Steps and Recommendations
- Use Settings on Windows or System Settings on macOS to fully sign out of your Microsoft account
- Select Sign out in the browser profile menu when using a public or shared web browser
- Remove the account from mobile device settings to stop background sync of mail, contacts, and files
- Always clear cached sessions and close all browser windows after signing out on shared devices
- Review OneDrive sync settings if you want to keep local files without cloud access after signing out
FAQ
Reader questions
Will signing out delete my files stored in OneDrive?
No, signing out of your Microsoft account on a computer removes your sign-in session but does not delete files saved in OneDrive unless you manually remove them or use the Remove or Unsync option.
How do I sign out of Microsoft account if I forgot my password?
Use the Forgot password link on the sign-in page, follow the verification steps, reset your password, and then sign in again with your new credentials before signing out properly.
Should I sign out or shut down the computer when in a shared lab?
In a shared lab, always sign out of your Microsoft account before closing the browser or locking the screen, and prefer shutting down the computer to remove any cached local sessions.
Can I sign out from just one Microsoft app without signing out of the whole account?
Yes, you can sign out of individual apps like Outlook or Teams while keeping your main Microsoft account signed in on the computer by using their in-app account settings.