Ways to Switch User Accounts on Windows 11

If your Windows 11 PC has multiple user accounts, you can switch between them in Windows 11 without losing any apps, tabs or user data. This is most beneficial when you're setting up parental controls on Windows 11 and need to switch between accounts. You can easily switch user accounts without signing out of one, and there are several ways to do that.

Ways to switch user accounts on Windows 11

In this guide, we will acquaint you with the different ways you can switch user accounts on Windows 11

A. Switch accounts from the start menu

1. To get started, use the Windows key on the keyboard or click the Start button on the taskbar to bring up the Start menu.

2. Then, on the profile image, choose the account you want to switch from the drop-down menu, and you’re done.

B. Switch accounts with Ctrl + Alt + Delete

1. You can also use the famous Ctrl + Alt + Delete keyboard shortcut to switch between user accounts. Simultaneously press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on the keyboard. 

2. Next, select Switch users on the screen that appears.

C. Switch accounts with Alt + F4

1. To begin, minimize or close all open programs, files, and folders

2. Then, on your keyboard, press ALT + F4 to bring up the Shut-Down Windows dialog

3. Finally, select Switch user and then click OK to complete the process

D. Switch accounts from Windows Terminal (Windows 11 Pro or later)

If you want to feel like a hacker, you can run a command in Windows Terminal that will allow you to lock your computer, effectively returning you to the login screen where you can choose a different account. . Note that this method only works on Windows 11 Pro and above.

1. First, Open Windows Terminal as administrator by right-clicking the Windows icon on the taskbar to open the Power User menu, then select Windows Terminal (Admin) from the menu.

2. Then run this command: tsdiscon

E. Using the Lock Screen

Another notable way to switch user accounts on Windows 11 is from the lock screen. Below are the steps to follow;

1. To begin, lock your current user account with the Windows 11 keyboard shortcut Windows + L. Note that switching users is not the same as signing out, therefore no current tabs or apps will be lost.

2. Then, from the bottom-left corner of the lock screen, select the other user account you want to access.

3. Now input the password/ PIN, and you’ll be able to change the user account in a matter of seconds.

These are some of the ways to switch user accounts on Windows 11. So, you can decide on using any of them and you’ll attain the same result.