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Using multiple user accounts on Windows x is a user-friendly manner to control access to files and applications. Switching between accounts preserves what y'all're working on without endmost anything. Notice out a few ways to switch between accounts hither.

How to Switch User Accounts

In that location are two means you tin can modify users in Windows x. One fully signs out the current account and closes all of the running applications, exactly like what happens when yous restart your PC. The other just switches accounts — pushing the current user, and their applications, into the background.

Switching users has advantages — y'all can easily move betwixt accounts without worrying about losing unsaved files or forgetting what you were doing considering your programs closed. It does outcome in a larger demand on system resources though, especially RAM. On some PCs, the higher RAM requirements could be a problem.

Since signing out of a Windows ten account terminates all of the running processes, exist sure to salvage any files you're working on before signing out. They may be lost otherwise.

RELATED: How to Create a New Local User Business relationship in Windows 10

The Start Card

Outset, click the Start push button or hit the Windows key. Then click the icon that looks like a person — if you've gear up an account picture, it'll be that instead of a generic icon. Another smaller menu will appear. Wait for the user account y'all want to switch to and click it. You'll immediately be taken to the login screen and prompted to enter that user's password.

The Lock Screen

One way to switch users is to get through the lock screen. Hit Windows+L to access the lock screen immediately. Click in empty space, and the window should brandish the login screen. And so, on the lesser left of the login screen, click the desired user account.

RELATED: How to Customize the Lock Screen on Windows 8 or 10

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete

Ctrl+Alt+Delete is most famous for being used to admission the job managing director. It also tin be used to access a handful of other options, including a button to switch users. Hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and the 2nd selection on the listing will be "Switch user." Click it, and yous'll be taken to the login screen.

Press Alt+F4

You tin too switch users by striking Alt+F4. Get-go, click an empty space on your desktop. And so striking Alt+F4.

Warning: If yous don't first select empty infinite on your desktop, whatever awarding is in focus volition be instantly airtight.

Select "Switch User". And then, at the bottom, click "Ok." You'll be at the login screen; click the user business relationship you lot desire, and then enter the password.

The Command Prompt

There is a command to switch user accounts in Windows, but only in the Windows 10 Professional person, Enterprise, and Pedagogy editions. It won't work on Windows 10 Domicile.

Launch Control Prompt by clicking the Start button, type "Command prompt" or "cmd" into the search bar, and so hit Enter. You could besides click "Open."

Type tsdiscon in the Command Prompt, and y'all'll be returned to the login screen.

Type "tsdiscon" and hit enter

If you're not running Windows ten Pro or higher, simply you really want to modify which account you lot're logged in to using the Command Prompt, yous tin log out instead.

Note: Remember, logging out is different from switching users. Logging out will close all of your applications.

Type shutdown /fifty in Command Prompt, and so striking Enter. You will be fully logged out. Select the desired business relationship and enter the countersign.

Type "shutdown /l" in command prompt

Windows includes a variety of user account controls that makes switching accounts worthwhile on a shared PC. You tin 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.