The 6 Best Ways to Switch Users in Windows 10

Press Win+L, use the Start menu, or enter ‘tsdiscon' into Command Prompt to change between user accounts

Windows 10 provides multiple ways to switch users. Your option might depend on what's fastest for you and whether you want to switch from the lock screen or the desktop.

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Windows 10 login screen showing two user accounts

At the login screen is a list of all the users who can log in to the computer. Select a user from the bottom left corner of the screen, then enter their login details to sign on to Windows 10. This will switch user accounts without logging out the previously logged in user.

One super easy way to access this screen from any account is to press Win+L.

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User accounts listed in the Windows 10 Start menu

Another easy way to switch users on Windows 10 is straight from the Start menu. Select the Start menu, then choose your user name toward the top of the left column. You'll see a list of other user accounts; select one to return to the lock screen where you can enter the user's login information.

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Using Task Manager

Task Manager password prompt for switching users in Windows 10

Task Manager includes an option to immediately switch to another user, bypassing the lock screen completely.

Open Task Manager (the quickest way is via Ctrl+Shift+Esc). Open the Users tab, right-click the user you want to swap to, and select Connect. Enter their password when asked, then select OK to switch to that user.

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Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to Switch Users

Screenshot cntrl-alt-del switch user

Ctrl+Alt+Del has multiple functions, one of which includes a link called Switch user. When you press this keyboard shortcut, and click that link, you'll immediately be taken to the lock screen where you can choose a different account to log in to.

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Type Alt+F4 to Switch Users

The Switch user option highlighted in the Shut Down Windows prompt in Windows 10

A quick way to switch users in Windows 10 is with the Alt+F4 keyboard shortcut. When you press this from the desktop, it'll show a shutdown prompt with multiple options. Just choose Switch user, then OK to see the lock screen with the list of available users.

Make sure you've selected the desktop before you press these keys (i.e., no windows are open, and you can see your desktop wallpaper). If a different window is in focus, such as your email or web browser, Alt+F4 will shut down that instead.

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Enter a Command Prompt Command to Switch Users

The tsdiscon command in Windows 10 Command Prompt

If you're a Command Prompt fan, you'll like this technique that uses a special command to switch users. Open Command Prompt, type this, then press Enter to lock the screen and see the other user accounts you can switch to:

tsdiscon

This method only works on Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions.

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