'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Remove Former Work Accounts and MDM Profiles from Personal Devices
Question details
The user needs to remove a former employer's Microsoft 365 account, Office configurations, and Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile from their personal devices to stop unwanted login prompts and restrictions.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- Windows, Mac, iOS
- Scenario
- A former work account or MDM profile is still linked to a personal device after leaving a company, causing cached credential pop-ups and unwanted device management.
- Observed behavior
- Cached work credentials continue appearing in Outlook, Edge browser shows old work profiles, and the device may remain enrolled in the former organization's directory or Intune.
Before removing device management profiles or modifying system registries, ensure you have backed up all personal files locally or to an independent cloud service.
Remove the Work Account and MDM from Windows
Disconnect your former employer's account from Windows Settings and clear cached credentials to stop persistent Microsoft 365 login prompts.
Windows stores work and school accounts in a dedicated settings menu. If your computer was enrolled in your employer's device management (like Intune) simply by signing into Office or OneDrive, you must disconnect it manually.
Open Windows Settings, navigate to Accounts > Access work or school, select your former employer's account, and click Disconnect.
Still in Settings, go to Accounts > Email & accounts and remove the work email if it is listed.
Open Microsoft Word or Excel, click on File > Account, and sign out of the old work account. Similarly, sign out of the OneDrive application.
Use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant or Windows Settings > Apps to completely uninstall any Office software provided by the employer.
Remove MDM Profile and Office License on Mac
Unenroll your Mac from the employer's management profile and remove old Office license files to regain full personal control.
Clean Up iPhone Profiles and Edge Browser Data
Clear out leftover employer configurations from your mobile device and remove isolated work profiles from Microsoft Edge.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Personal Setup
If you are struggling with tangled work and personal Microsoft 365 accounts, switching to WPS Office provides a clean, independent workspace. It is completely free, requires no complex device management, and offers robust compatibility with all Microsoft Office formats without the persistent login prompts.
- 1. Download and Install: Get the free installer from the official WPS website and run it on your personal device.
- 2. Edit Your Documents: Open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files directly in WPS Office without any Microsoft account restrictions.
- 3. Enjoy Seamless Compatibility: Continue working on all standard Office formats with full compatibility and zero subscription prompts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my former employer's account still appear in Microsoft Edge?
Microsoft Edge saves work accounts as distinct browser profiles. Even if you signed out of Windows, the browser profile remains. Navigate to edge://settings/profiles in Edge to manually delete the work profile.
Can I remove a work account without notifying the IT department?
Yes, if it is your personal device, you can usually disconnect the account locally from Windows Settings or macOS System Preferences. However, if the device was fully provisioned and locked by the company, you might need an IT administrator to release the hardware ID from their directory.
How do I completely remove the old Microsoft Office license?
On Windows, use the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) to scrub Office and its licenses. On a Mac, download and run the Microsoft Office License Removal Tool to clear leftover keychain entries.
Will removing the MDM profile delete my personal files?
No, removing a Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile typically only removes the employer's policies, corporate apps, and remote access capabilities. However, it is always recommended to back up your personal files before making system-level changes.
