Ghost family safety group

David Iversen 20 Reputation points
2026-04-06T13:32:21.4466667+00:00

I was the sole member and organiser of a Family Group created in error on my account. I left the group, which should delete it, so I can be added to a different group. However, there still appears to be a group containing me without any assigned role which is blocking me being able to join the group I need to be a member of. How do i get rid of this group?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Family and online safety
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Answer accepted by question author
IGYQ 22,045 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-04-06T15:12:13.5566667+00:00

Hi!

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

This is a well-known Microsoft Family issue, referred to as “ghost family group.” You performed all the necessary actions, however, the back end was not able to remove your membership properly, and thus blocks you from creating a new one.

Go to any browser and type this URL: https://account.microsoft.com/family/home

Check any family group view and see if there is an option to leave Family Group.

Let me know once done so I can assist you further.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-04-06T13:32:36.3833333+00:00

    Use the web Family site to fully leave/remove the leftover group, then refresh Family Safety on each device.

    1. In a browser, go to https://family.microsoft.com and sign in.
    2. If the “ghost” family still shows and the account appears as a member:
      • Select the three dots ( … ) next to the account name.
      • Choose Leave family group.
      • Confirm with Remove.
      • If Leave family group is not visible, the account is not an organizer; in that case, the organizer of that group must remove the account using Remove from family group.
    3. If the account is shown as an organizer of a family with other members:
      • Remove all other members first using Remove from family group.
      • After all others are removed, select Leave family group next to the organizer account to delete the family group.
    4. If the family is visible at https://account.microsoft.com/family instead:
      • Sign in there and repeat the same steps: select the three dots next to the account → Leave family group → Remove.

    After fixing the family membership, if Family Safety restrictions or the old group still seem to apply on a Windows 11 device, run the Family Safety refresh task on that device:

    1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and select OK.
    2. Run: 
         schtasks /run /tn "Microsoft\Windows\Shell\FamilySafetyRefreshTask"
    3. Restart the PC.

    Once the account is no longer in any family group and devices are refreshed, it can be added to the new family group normally.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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