TABLE OF CONTENTS
ADMIN PRIVILEGES REQUIRED
Overview
Answers to common questions about managing user accounts, permissions, and profiles in Stack Internal Enterprise. Learn more about Users and Permissions.
Account management
How do I delete a user from my site?
Click Admin Settings, then Users and Permissions. Click the Actions dropdown for the user you want to remove and select one of the following:
- Delete user Removes the account but keeps all of their content. Stack Overflow attributes the content to a generic placeholder user (such as "User123"). The site creates a new account for the user if they return in the future.
- Delete user and their content Removes the account along with all questions, answers, comments, and articles the user created.
Deleting a user account doesn't initiate a GDPR request. Users should submit GDPR requests directly by emailing privacy@stackoverflow.com.
Can a deleted user's questions, answers, and articles be reassociated to their account?
No. Stack Overflow retains content after deleting a user, but can't reassociate it to a recreated account.
We don't recommend deleting users unless absolutely necessary. Use deactivation instead to preserve the user's account and keep their content attributed to them.
Deactivation and reactivation
What's the difference between deactivating and deleting a user?
Deactivating a user removes their access to the site but keeps their account and content intact. Their posts stay attributed to them, and you can reactivate the same account later.
Deleting a user permanently removes their account. Stack Overflow anonymises their posts and reassigns them to a generic placeholder user (such as "User123"). Stack Overflow can't restore the original account.
Use deactivation if the user might return. Use deletion if you need to permanently remove the account.
How do I reactivate a deactivated user?
Click Admin Settings, then Users and Permissions. Find the user using the search box, click the Actions dropdown, and select Reactivate user.
Can users reactivate their own deactivated account?
Yes, if you enable the Enterprise.AllowSelfReactivation site setting. To turn this on:
- Go to
https://[your_site].stackenterprise.co/developer/site-settings/edit?name=Enterprise.AllowSelfReactivation - Set the value to
True. - Save the setting as a New Network Default.
When a deactivated user logs in, Stack Overflow automatically reactivates their account.
Account history and reporting
How do I search for a specific user?
Click Admin Settings, then Users and Permissions. Use the search box at the top of the page to search by name, email, username, or external ID.
How do I view a user's account history?
Click Admin Settings, then Users and Permissions. Click the timestamp in the "Last Seen" column for the user whose history you want to view then Additional Account Information. Stack Overflow logs account history, account login history, creation date, deactivation and reactivation events here.
How do I download a report of all users on my site?
Click Admin Settings, then Users and Permissions. Click Download CSV in the upper-right corner. The CSV includes each user's name, user ID, email, join date, last seen date, last login date, deactivation date, role, and status.
Profile pictures
Are user profile pictures synchronised across the main site and Private Teams?
No, Stack Overflow doesn't sync profile pictures. Users will need to update their profile picture on the main site and in each Private Team separately.
Contact your Stack Overflow account representative or Stack Overflow Product Support with any additional questions.