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How to Remove Deleted Users from Dynamics 365 Business Central

Khadija Khan Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

Administrators need to know how to permanently clear deleted user accounts from the user list within Dynamics 365 Business Central.

How to Remove Deleted Users from Dynamics 365 Business Central

Product: Dynamics 365 Business Central
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing system access and cleaning up the user list when employees leave or accounts are no longer needed.
Observed behavior: Even after being removed, deleted users sometimes remain visible in the Business Central user list because user management is tied to the Microsoft 365 admin center.

Before you start

Ensure you have global administrator or user management administrator privileges in the Microsoft 365 admin center before attempting to delete or synchronize accounts.

Solution 1Recommended

Delete and Synchronize Users via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Since Business Central user management is connected to Microsoft 365, you must delete the user in the admin center and manually trigger an update in Business Central.

Dynamics 365 Business Central does not allow direct deletion of users from its own interface. Instead, it relies on the Microsoft 365 directory. Removing the user globally and forcing a sync is the only official way to update the user list.

Delete the user in Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center. In the left navigation menu, go to 'Users', then click on 'Active users'. Select the user you want to remove, click 'Delete user', and follow the prompts to confirm the deletion.

Wait for directory synchronization

Allow some time for the directory changes to propagate across Microsoft services. Depending on your server environment, this usually takes a few minutes but can occasionally take longer.

Update users in Business Central

Sign in to Dynamics 365 Business Central. Click the search icon (Tell Me) in the top right corner, type 'Users', and choose the related link. On the Users page, click the 'Update users from Microsoft 365' action from the top ribbon.

Delete and Synchronize Users via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Persistent Deleted Users: If a deleted user still remains visible after running the update action, the issue might be related to backend syncing delays. You may need to consult the Dynamics 365 Community forums or open a support ticket with Microsoft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Business Central direct me to the Microsoft 365 admin center to manage users?

Dynamics 365 Business Central relies on Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) and Microsoft 365 for authentication and identity management. Therefore, all core user lifecycle actions, including creation and deletion, must be handled at the Microsoft 365 directory level.

How long does it take for a deleted Microsoft 365 user to disappear from Business Central?

Typically, directory changes sync within a few minutes. However, you must actively run the 'Update users from Microsoft 365' action in Business Central for the local user list to reflect the changes. In rare cases, full synchronization can take up to 72 hours.

What should I do if the 'Update users from Microsoft 365' button does not remove the user?

First, verify that the user is completely removed from the 'Active users' and 'Deleted users' lists in the Microsoft 365 admin center. If the user is fully deleted there but still shows in Business Central, you may need to reach out to Microsoft Support or check the Dynamics 365 Community for specific environment troubleshooting.

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