PowerShell Remove-ADComputer: Delete AD Computer Objects
• 1 min read
powershell active-directory remove-adcomputer computer-management tutorial
PowerShell Remove-ADComputer: Complete Guide to Deleting Computer Objects
Overview
The Remove-ADComputer cmdlet deletes computer accounts from Active Directory. Used when decommissioning computers or cleaning up stale accounts.
Common Tasks:
- Delete decommissioned computers
- Remove obsolete computer objects
- Bulk delete stale computer accounts
- Clean up test computers
- Remove computers inactive for long period
Prerequisites:
- PowerShell 5.1 or later
- Active Directory PowerShell module
- Administrator permissions
Syntax
Remove-ADComputer [-Identity] <ADComputer> [-Confirm] [-Server <string>]
```powershell
---
## Examples
### Example 1: Delete Computer with Confirmation
```powershell
Remove-ADComputer -Identity "WS-NYC-001"
```powershell
### Example 2: Delete Without Confirmation
```powershell
Remove-ADComputer -Identity "WS-NYC-001" -Confirm:$false
```powershell
### Example 3: Delete Stale Computers
```powershell
$date = (Get-Date).AddDays(-90)
Get-ADComputer -Filter "lastLogonDate -lt '$date'" |
Remove-ADComputer -Confirm:$false
```powershell
### Example 4: Delete Disabled Computers
```powershell
Get-ADComputer -Filter "enabled -eq $false" |
Remove-ADComputer -Confirm:$false
```powershell
### Example 5: Bulk Delete from CSV
```powershell
$csv = Import-Csv "C:\computers-to-delete.csv"
foreach ($item in $csv) {
Remove-ADComputer -Identity $item.ComputerName -Confirm:$false
}
```powershell
---
## Best Practices
✅ **Disable first** - Disable before deleting
✅ **Verify last logon** - Only delete truly inactive computers
✅ **Log deletions** - Record what was deleted
✅ **Backup first** - Export computer info before deletion
✅ **Confirm with IT** - Verify computer is truly decommissioned
---
## Related Commands
- **[Get-ADComputer](/powershell-get-adcomputer)** - Query computers
- **[New-ADComputer](/powershell-new-adcomputer)** - Create computers
- **[Set-ADComputer](/powershell-set-adcomputer)** - Modify computers
---
## See Also
- **[Get-ADComputer](/powershell-get-adcomputer)** - Query computers
- **[Active Directory Computer Management](/active-directory-computer-management)** - Computer guide
---
**Last Updated:** February 6, 2026
**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate
**Reading Time:** 8 minutes