Applies to these editions of Windows 7

Home Premium

Professional

Ultimate

Enterprise

Switch users without logging off

If you have more than one user account on your computer, Fast User Switching is an easy way for another person to log on to the computer without logging you off or closing your programs and files. For instructions on creating user accounts, see Create a user account.

  1. Click the Start button Picture of the Start button, and then click the arrow next to the Shut Down button Picture of the Shut Down button.

  2. Click Switch User.

  3. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and then click the user you want to switch to.

Note

Note

  • If you are logged on to a remote computer (for instance, using Remote Desktop Connection), you can't use Fast User Switching on that computer.

Warning

Warning

  • Make sure to save any open files before switching users because Windows doesn't automatically save files that are open. If you switch to a different user account and that user shuts down the computer, any unsaved changes you made to files that are open on your account will be lost.

To turn off Fast User Switching (advanced)

If your computer is on a domain, you can turn off Fast User Switching by following these steps:

  1. Click the Start button Picture of the Start button, type gpedit.msc in the search box, and then press Enter. Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

  2. Under Computer Configuration, click the arrow next to Administrative Templates, and then click the arrow next to System.

  3. Click the Logon folder.

  4. Double-click Hide entry points for Fast User Switching Properties, click Enabled, and then click OK.