Switch users on a computer
When multiple users share a computer, logging off and logging on to the computer can become tiresome. Fast User Switching, a feature of Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional (when it is not joined to a domain), makes it possible for multiple users to share a computer and use it simultaneously, switching back and forth without closing the programs they are running.
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Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
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In Control Panel, make sure you are in Classic View, with all Control Panel icons showing. If not, click Switch to Classic View in the left pane of Control Panel.
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Click User Accounts to open the User Accounts dialog box. Select Change the way users log on and off. Only users with a computer administrator account on a computer can turn Fast User Switching on or off.
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In the Select logon and logoff options dialog box, do one of the following:
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To specify that a user's programs remain running when another user logs on to the computer, select the Fast User Switching check box. If you select this option, programs do not shut down when another user logs on to the computer.
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To specify that programs shut down when users log off the computer, clear the Use Fast User Switching check box. Programs automatically shut down when users log off the computer, and the computer will run faster for the next user who logs on.
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Click OK, and then click Close.
Note
When Fast User Switching is turned on, SerialKeys will not work.
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Display the Start menu by pressing Ctrl+Esc (or the Windows logo key). Then open Control Panel by pressing C.
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In Control Panel, make sure you are Classic View, with all Control Panel icons showing. If not, go to the left pane of Control Panel and open Switch to Classic View by pressing Tab and then Enter. Press the arrow keys to move to User Accounts, then press Enter.
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In the User Accounts dialog box, press Tab to reach the Change the way users log on or off tab, and then press Enter.
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In the Select logon and logoff options dialog box, do one of the following:
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To specify that a user's programs remain running when another user logs on to the computer, select the Fast User Switching check box by pressing F. If you select this option, programs do not shut down when another user logs on to the computer.
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To specify that programs shut down when users log off the computer, clear the Use Fast User Switching check box by pressing F. Programs automatically shut down when users log off the computer, and the computer will run faster for the next user who logs on.
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Press Enter, and then press Alt+F, C to close Control Panel.
Note
When Fast User Switching is turned on, SerialKeys will not work.
