Switching users in Windows 10 leaves the first user’s session signed in while another account opens its own desktop. This is different from signing out, which closes the current user’s applications and session. Save important work either way.
Switch users from the Start menu
- Select Start.
- Select the current account/profile icon.
- Choose the other account if it appears, or select the available Switch user option.
- At the sign-in screen, select the intended account.
- Enter that user’s PIN, password, or other configured sign-in method.
Use Ctrl+Alt+Delete when the Start menu is unavailable
Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and choose Switch user when that option is available. This can be useful when an application covers the desktop or the Start menu is not responding normally.
Switching users keeps the first session running
Open applications can continue using memory, CPU, network connections, and battery in the background. On a low-memory PC, signing out of an unused account can free more resources than simply switching away from it.
Do not use another person’s account without permission
Each Windows account should have its own credentials and access rights. If an account is missing from the sign-in screen, an administrator may need to create or enable it through supported account-management tools.
Windows 10 standard support ended in 2025, but these account-session concepts also apply to supported Windows releases.
Lock is another option when you are stepping away
If nobody else needs to sign in, locking the PC protects the current session without opening another account. Use Windows+L for a quick lock while keeping your applications available when you return.
Fast User Switching can be limited by policy
On organization-managed computers, administrators can restrict which accounts appear or whether switching is available. If the expected option is missing on a work or school PC, contact IT rather than editing policy or Registry settings to bypass management.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.