Remove a Google Account from Windows or Mac
To remove a Google account from your computer, you disconnect it from your operating system's settings—not from Google itself. On Windows, this means going to Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts, finding the Google account, and selecting Remove. On Mac, open System Settings > Internet Accounts, click the Google account in the left sidebar, then click the minus button at the bottom.
The account will no longer sync email, calendar, or contacts to your computer after removal. Any files you created or stored through that account remain on Google's servers and in your Google account—removing it from your computer does not delete them. You can still access everything by signing back in through a web browser at google.com.
If you use the same Google account across multiple devices, removing it from one computer does not affect the others. Each device stores its own connection to your Google account, so you will need to remove it separately from each machine if that is your goal.
Key Takeaways
- Removing a Google account from your computer disconnects it from your operating system but does not delete the account or any files stored in it.
- On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts, select the Google account, and click Remove.
- On Mac, open System Settings > Internet Accounts, select the Google account, and click the minus button.
- You can sign back in to the same account on the same computer at any time through a web browser or by re-adding it to your system settings.
- Removing an account from one device does not remove it from other computers or phones that use the same account.
Step-by-Step Removal on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Open the Start menu and type "Settings," then select the Settings app. Click on "Accounts" in the left sidebar. Select "Email & accounts" from the menu on the right side of the window.
Scroll down to find the Google account you want to remove. Click on it once to highlight it. A "Remove" button will appear below the account name—click it. Windows will ask you to confirm; click "Yes" to complete the removal.
If you have multiple Google accounts connected to your computer, you will see all of them listed. You can remove one, some, or all of them. Removing an account does not affect other accounts you have added to Windows.
Step-by-Step Removal on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings." In the sidebar, scroll down and click "Internet Accounts." You will see a list of all accounts connected to your Mac, including Google accounts.
Click the Google account you want to remove in the left sidebar. On the right side of the window, you will see account details and a minus button (–) at the bottom. Click the minus button. Mac will ask you to confirm the removal; click "Delete" to finish.
After removal, your Mac will stop syncing email, calendar, and contacts from that Google account. If you have multiple Google accounts on your Mac, you can remove them one at a time using the same steps.
What Happens to Your Files and Data
Removing a Google account from your computer does not delete anything stored in that account. Your Gmail messages, Google Drive files, Google Photos, and calendar events all remain in your Google account on Google's servers. The removal only stops your computer from accessing and syncing that data locally.
If you had downloaded or synced files from Google Drive to your computer before removing the account, those files stay on your computer. They will no longer update automatically, but they will not disappear. You can still open and use them as regular files on your hard drive.
To access your Google account again after removal, sign in through a web browser at google.com, or re-add the account to your computer's settings using the same steps you used to remove it. You will need your Google email address and password.
Removing a Google Account vs. Signing Out
Signing out of a Google service (like Gmail or Google Drive in a web browser) logs you out of that one service but leaves the account connected to your computer. Removing the account from your computer's settings disconnects it entirely from your operating system, which stops all syncing and access.
If you only want to stop using Gmail on your computer but keep other Google services running, signing out of Gmail in your browser is the simpler choice. If you want to fully disconnect the account from your computer, use the removal steps above.
Removing the account is also the right choice if you are selling, giving away, or passing your computer to someone else. It ensures the new user cannot access your email, files, or calendar without your password.
If You Cannot Find the Account to Remove
If you do not see a Google account listed in your Email & accounts (Windows) or Internet Accounts (Mac) settings, the account may not be connected to your operating system at all. You might only be signed in through a web browser, which is different from adding the account to your system settings.
Check your web browser settings instead. In Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari, look for account or profile settings and sign out of any Google accounts you find there. This removes the account from that browser only, not from your entire computer.
If you are trying to remove a work or school Google account (a Google Workspace account), your organization may have restrictions on removal. Contact your IT department or administrator if you cannot remove the account yourself.
Re-Adding a Google Account After Removal
If you remove a Google account by mistake, or if you want to reconnect it later, the process is straightforward. On Windows, go back to Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts and click "Add account." Select "Google" from the list, then sign in with your email and password.
On Mac, open System Settings > Internet Accounts, click the plus button (+) at the bottom of the sidebar, select "Google," and sign in. Your computer will begin syncing email, calendar, and contacts from that account again.
You will not lose any data by removing and re-adding an account. Everything in your Google account remains exactly as it was, and your computer will sync it all again once you reconnect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing a Google account from my computer delete my Gmail?
No. Removing the account from your computer only stops your computer from accessing it. Your Gmail, Google Drive, photos, and calendar all stay in your Google account on Google's servers. You can still read your email by signing in at gmail.com in a web browser.
Will removing my Google account from my computer affect my phone?
No. Each device stores its own connection to your Google account. Removing it from your computer does not remove it from your phone, tablet, or any other device. You would need to remove it separately from each device if you want to disconnect it everywhere.
Can I remove a Google account if I forgot the password?
Yes. You can remove an account from your computer's settings without knowing the password. However, if you want to re-add it later, you will need the password or a way to recover it through Google's account recovery process.
What if I share my computer with other people?
If you are the only user account on the computer, removing your Google account removes it for everyone who uses that computer. If you have separate user accounts on the computer, each account has its own connected Google accounts. Removing it from your user account does not remove it from other users' accounts.
Can I remove a Google account without going into Settings?
Not on Windows or Mac. The Settings or System Settings menu is the official way to disconnect an account from your operating system. Some third-party tools claim to do this, but using your system settings is safer and more reliable.