4 ways to switch user accounts on Windows 11

You can completely switch between accounts without closing any open applications or working files. Here's how to do it.

Switch user accounts from the Start menu

You can switch user accounts quickly right from the Windows Start menu.

First, click the Windows icon on the taskbar, and then click your profile picture. Then, click on the user account you want to switch to from the context menu that appears.

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After selecting the account, enter the corresponding password and the conversion will be completed immediately.

Switch user accounts with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Delete

You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Delete to quickly switch between user accounts on the system.

Just press Ctrl + Alt + Delete simultaneously on the keyboard. Next, click on the 'Switch User' that appears on the screen.

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You will immediately be taken to the login screen. Select the user account you want to switch to and enter the corresponding password.

Switch user accounts with the keyboard shortcut Alt + F4

Another keyboard shortcut you can use to switch user accounts while on the desktop is Alt + F4. Note that you must be on the desktop, because if there are any open windows, this shortcut will only close that window.

Press Alt + F4 on your keyboard and the 'Shut Down Windows' dialog will appear. Click the down arrow next to the text box, then select 'Switch User' from the drop-down menu that appears.

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Next, click 'OK' or press the 'Enter' key on your keyboard. You will be on the login screen. Select another user account and enter the corresponding password.

Switch user accounts from Windows Terminal (Windows 11 Pro or later)

If you want to feel like a pro, it's possible to run a command in Windows Terminal to lock your PC, returning you to the login screen where you can effectively select other people's accounts. Note that this method only works on Windows 11 Pro and above.

First, open Windows Terminal as administrator by right-clicking the Windows icon on the taskbar to open the Power User menu, then select 'Windows Terminal (Admin)'.

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Next, run the following command:

tsdiscon

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After you run the command, the screen will lock. Unlock and you will be on the login screen. Select the user account you want to switch to. You can also quickly lock your screen using the Windows + L keyboard shortcut.

Samuel Daniel

Update 14 January 2022