How to Switch Users in Windows 10 & 11 (Four Easy Ways)

Managing multiple user accounts in Windows? Here are four easy ways to quickly switch between user accounts in Windows 10 and 11.

As with any operating system, Windows allows multiple user accounts. In fact, it is as easy as going through a user account creation wizard. In general, if you have multiple people using the computer, it is better to create separate user accounts for those users. That way, you don’t have to share your user account details. One of the biggest advantages of creating separate accounts is the separation of user files and programs.

Even if you are not sharing your PC with others, creating separate user accounts for different workflows makes your life that much easier. For example, I have two user accounts to separate personal and work profiles.

When managing multiple user accounts, it is common to switch between user accounts as and when needed.

Thankfully Windows has several different ways to switch users, and it is important to understand the options available to you and how to use them effectively.

In this quick guide, let me show four ways to switch between user accounts in Windows.

Table of contents:

1. How to switch users from the Start menu
2. How to switch users from the lock screen
3. How to switch users from ‘Ctrl + Alt + Del’ screen
4. How to switch users from the ‘Alt + F4’ menu
5. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

The steps below work the same in Windows 10 and 11.

How to switch users from the Start menu

The Start menu lists all the available user accounts on your computer. As such, you can switch users directly from the Start menu.

Here’s how to switch users from the Start menu in Windows:

1. Press the “Start” key.
2. Click the user icon at the bottom.
3. Select the user account you want to switch to.
4. Type the user account password.
5. Press the “Enter” button.
6. With that, you switched to the selected user account.

Steps with more details:

Since we want to switch user accounts from the Start menu, press the “Start” key on your keyboard or click the Start icon on the taskbar to open the Start menu.

After opening the Start menu, you will see your user name at the bottom of the Start menu. Click on it. It will open a flyout menu with all the available user accounts. Click the user account you want to switch to.

As soon as you do that, Windows takes you to the signing screen of the selected user account. If the user account is password protected, Windows shows a blank field to enter the password. Type the password and press Enter to log into the user account.

With that, you have successfully switched user accounts in Windows.

How to switch users from the lock screen

If your system is locked and you are staring at the lock screen, you can switch user accounts from the lock screen itself. No need to log into your primary user account first.

Here’s how to switch users from the lock screen in Windows:

1. Click anywhere on the lock screen.
2. You will see user accounts in the bottom-left corner.
3. Click on the user you want to switch to.
4. Type the password in the blank field.
5. Press the “Enter” button.
6. With that, you’ve switched user accounts.

Steps with more details:

When on the lock screen, click anywhere on the screen or press “Enter.” This action shows the user login screen. If you are not on the lock screen, you can get to it with the “Win + L” keyboard shortcut.

On the login screen, you will see all the available user accounts in the bottom-left corner of the screen. Click the user account you want to switch to, type the user account password in the blank field, and press “Enter.”

As soon as you do that, you are logged into the selected user account. With that, you are done switching user accounts in Windows.

How to switch users from ‘Ctrl + Alt + Del’ screen

When the system is unresponsive or if a program is misbehaving, you can press the “Ctrl + Alt + Del” shortcut to invoke a secure screen from where you can launch the task manager, shut down the system, or switch user accounts.

Here’s how to switch user accounts from the ‘Ctrl + Alt + Delete’ screen.

1. Press the “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” shortcut.
2. Click the “Switch user” option.
3. Select a user on the login screen.
4. Type the password in the blank field.
5. Press “Enter.”
6. With that, you’ve switched user accounts.

Steps with more details:

The first thing is to go to the secure screen. To do that, press the “Ctrl + Alt + Del” shortcut on your keyboard. As soon as you do that, Windows takes you to the “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” screen.

Here, click the “Switch user” option.

Clicking on the option takes you to the Windows login screen. Here, select a user in the bottom-left corner, type the password in the blank field, and press “Enter.”

With that, you’ve successfully switched user accounts in Windows.

How to switch users from the ‘Alt + F4’ menu

The “Alt + F4” menu is often used to shut down or restart the computer. Other than those actions, you can also switch user accounts from the “Alt + F4” window.

Here’s how to switch users from the ‘Alt + F4’ menu:

1. Minimize all open windows until you see the desktop.
2. Press the “Alt + F4” shortcut.
3. Select “Switch user” from the dropdown menu.
4. Press the “Ok” button.
5. Select a user on the login screen.
6. Type the password and press Enter.
7. With that, you’ve switched users in Windows.

Steps with more details:

First, minimize all open windows and press the “Alt + F4” keyboard shortcut. If you press the keyboard shortcut without minimizing all windows and the desktop is in active focus, it might close the application that is in active focus.

Select the “Switch user” option from the dropdown menu and press the “Ok” button.

As soon as you press the button, you will be taken to the login screen. Select the “User account” from the bottom-left corner.

Type the password in the blank field and press “Enter.”

As soon as you do that, you will be logged in to the new user account. With that, you’ve switched user accounts in Windows.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Here are a few common questions users have about switching user accounts in Windows:

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That is all. It is that simple to switch users in Windows 10 & 11.

I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helped you.

If you are stuck or need help, send an email, and I will try to help as much as possible.

If you don’t want to switch users from the Start menu, you can disable the fast user switching in Windows.