{"id":15333,"date":"2022-02-20T18:31:07","date_gmt":"2022-02-20T18:31:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/02\/20\/how-to-switch-user-accounts-on-windows-10\/"},"modified":"2022-02-20T18:31:07","modified_gmt":"2022-02-20T18:31:07","slug":"how-to-switch-user-accounts-on-windows-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/02\/20\/how-to-switch-user-accounts-on-windows-10\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Switch User Accounts on Windows 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Windows<\/p>\n

Using multiple user accounts on Windows 10 is a convenient way to control access to files and applications. Switching between accounts preserves what you\u2019re working on without closing anything. Find out a few ways to switch between accounts here.<\/p>\n

How to Switch User Accounts<\/h2>\n

There are two ways you can change users in Windows 10. One fully signs out the current account and closes all of the running applications, exactly like what happens when you restart your PC. The other merely switches accounts \u2014 pushing the current user, and their applications, into the background.<\/p>\n

Switching users has advantages \u2014 you can easily move between accounts without worrying about losing unsaved files or forgetting what you were doing because your programs closed. It does result in a larger demand on system resources though, especially RAM<\/a>. On some PCs, the higher RAM requirements could be a problem.<\/p>\n

Since signing out of a Windows 10 account terminates all of the running processes, be sure to save any files you\u2019re working on before signing out. They may be lost otherwise.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> How to Create a New Local User Account in Windows 10<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The Start Menu<\/h3>\n

First, click the Start button or hit the Windows key. Then click the icon that looks like a person \u2014 if you\u2019ve set an account picture<\/a>, it\u2019ll be that instead of a generic icon. Another smaller menu will appear. Look for the user account you want to switch to and click it. You\u2019ll immediately be taken to the login screen and prompted to enter that user\u2019s password.<\/p>\n

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The Lock Screen<\/h3>\n

One way to switch users is to go through the lock screen. Hit Windows+L to access the lock screen immediately. Click in empty space, and the window should display the login screen. Then, on the bottom left of the login screen, click the desired user account.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> How to Customize the Lock Screen on Windows 8 or 10<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Click<\/p>\n

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete<\/h3>\n

Ctrl+Alt+Delete is most famous for being used to access the task manager<\/a>. It also can be used to access a handful of other options, including a button to switch users. Hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and the second option on the list will be \u201cSwitch user.\u201d Click it, and you\u2019ll be taken to the login screen.<\/p>\n

\"Click<\/p>\n

Press Alt+F4<\/h3>\n

You can also switch users by hitting Alt+F4. First, click an empty space on your desktop. Then hit Alt+F4.<\/p>\n

Warning:<\/strong> If you don\u2019t first select empty space on your desktop, whatever application is in focus will be instantly closed.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Select \u201cSwitch User\u201d. Then, at the bottom, click \u201cOk.\u201d You\u2019ll be at the login screen; click the user account you want, and then enter the password.<\/p>\n

\"Click<\/p>\n

The Command Prompt<\/h3>\n

There is a command to switch user accounts in Windows, but only in the Windows 10 Professional, Enterprise, and Education editions. It won\u2019t work on Windows 10 Home.<\/p>\n

Launch Command Prompt by clicking the Start button, type \u201cCommand prompt\u201d or \u201ccmd\u201d into the search bar, and then hit Enter. You could also click \u201cOpen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Click<\/p>\n

Type tsdiscon<\/code> in the Command Prompt, and you\u2019ll be returned to the login screen.<\/p>\n

\"Type<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not running Windows 10 Pro or higher, but you really want to change which account you\u2019re logged in to using the Command Prompt, you can log out instead.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> Remember, logging out is different from switching users. Logging out will close all of your applications.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Type shutdown \/l <\/code> in Command Prompt, and then hit Enter. You will be fully logged out. Select the desired account and enter the password.<\/p>\n

\"Type<\/p>\n

Windows includes a variety of user account controls that makes switching accounts worthwhile on a shared PC. You can customize the appearance of the desktop and icons, restrict access to certain files and applications (including the firewall), or engage parental controls, like screen time limits.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n