The Microsoft Account Symbol on a blue background

When you have multiple user accounts, ideal if yous're working on a shared Windows PC, you tin switch between accounts without endmost any apps you have open or files you're working on. Here'south how it's done.

Switch Accounts From the Start Menu

Yous can switch user accounts straight from the Windows Start menu. Click the Windows icon in the taskbar, click your profile image, and so select the user account y'all would like to switch to from the context carte du jour.

Switch account from Start.

Once selected, enter the password for that business relationship and it will switch over.

RELATED: User Accounts, Groups, Permissions & Their Role in Sharing

Switch Accounts Using Ctrl+Alt+Delete

You lot can as well use the infamous Ctrl+Alt+Delete keyboard shortcut to switch user accounts. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete simultaneously on your keyboard. Side by side, select "Switch User" on the screen that appears.

Click Switch User.

You'll so be on the login screen. Select the user account yous want to switch over to.

Switch Accounts Using Alt+F4

Another keyboard shortcut you can use when viewing the desktop is the Alt+F4 shortcut. Annotation that if you have any windows open, this shortcut will simply close the open up window instead.

Printing Alt+F4 on your keyboard and the "Shut Downward Windows" dialog will appear. Click the down pointer next to the text box and and so select "Switch User" from the drop-down menu that appears.

Select Switch User.

Next, click "OK' or printing the "Enter" key on your keyboard. Y'all'll then be on the login screen where y'all tin select a different user account.

Switch Accounts From Windows Concluding (Windows xi Pro or Higher)

If you desire to feel like a hacker, then you lot tin can run a control in Windows Terminal that allows y'all to lock your PC, effectively bringing you dorsum to the login screen where you can select a different account. Notation that this method simply works on Windows xi Pro or higher.

First, open up Windows Terminal as an admin by correct-clicking the Windows icon in the taskbar to open the Power User carte du jour, and then select "Windows Concluding (Admin)" from the menu.

Open Windows Terminal (Admin).

Next, run this command:

tsdiscon

Enter command to go to lock screen.

Once you run the command your screen will lock. Unlock the screen and you'll be on the login screen. Select the user account you would like to switch to. You can also speedily lock your screen by using the Windows+L keyboard shortcut.

Microsoft made it piece of cake to switch betwixt user accounts on Windows. Not merely that, if you demand to requite one of the users admin rights, there's an easy mode to grant them these privileges, too.

RELATED: How to Alter a User Account to Administrator on Windows 10 and 11


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