Most of us need to share the computer with family members or office colleagues. In this situation, you will have multiple users using the same computer for different purposes. Each user account has its own privileges, apps and relevant content applicable for that account. You need to switch the account to access your own data and work without interfering with other users. Windows offers multiple ways to switch user accounts and you can choose the one that is handy for you.
Switching User Account in Windows
Besides multiple people working on a single computer, sometimes you may also need to login to different account. It could be as part of delegation work or for managing different tasks. For example, you may have the administrator access and want to login as a standard user for testing the user access. In all scenarios, you need to switch user account quickly and login to the required account for carrying out tasks.
Remember when switching user account, previous account will be signed in continuously and all open programs will still work in the background. If you want to close all programs then sign out of your account. Anyway, Windows will show the initial logon screen when switching user account regardless of whether you are signed out or not.
1. Switch User from Logon Screen
By default, Windows will remember the last user logged in to the computer and show on the logon screen. This helps to avoid typing the username again and you can enter the password to login quickly. However, you can also switch the user from the logon screen. When you have multiple users on your computer, Windows will show the list of user names on the lower left corner of the logon screen. Simply select the username, type the password and switch the account.
2. Use Control + Alt + Delete
When you press “Alt + Control + Del” in Windows, you will see the security control screen with list of options. From here you can select “Switch user” option and go to the logon screen. When you are in logon screen, choose different user account and login to the computer.
3. Lock with Win + L
Next option is to use another keyboard shortcut used for locking your PC. Press “Win + L” keys to instantly lock your computer. When you see the lock screen press any key on your keyboard or move your mouse. This will show you the logon screen from where you can switch user account.
4. Switch User from Start Menu
Click on the Start menu and then click on your user account name. From the list of options that appear, you can see other user accounts. Select the user’s name to go to logon screen with that user already selected. You only need to type the password of that account to login to your computer. The Start menu also will show if the users are already signed to their account.
5. Using Alt + F4
Alt + F4 is one of the most popular keyboard shortcuts in Windows to open “Shut Down Windows” dialog box. Press Alt + F4 and click on the dropdown below “What do you want the computer to do”? Select “Switch user” option from the list to go to logon screen.
6. Using a Command from Terminal App
Windows 11 offers Windows Terminal app in which you can use Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell apps combined together. Search and open Windows Terminal app and type tsdiscon either in Command Prompt or in PowerShell window. Press enter to lock the computer and move your mouse to see the logon screen. From the logon screen, choose different user and enter password to login to that account.
7. Using Run Prompt
Instead of using Windows Terminal app, you can also use the same command from Run prompt to quickly lock the screen and switch user.
- Press “Win + R” to open Run dialog box in Windows.
- Type tsdiscon in the “Open” text box and press “OK” button.
- This will lock the screen and you can see the logon screen with all user accounts by pressing any key.
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