Settings → Accounts → Other usersYou can switch users in Windows 11 without restarting the PC. Open the account menu, choose another account, and sign in with that person’s credentials. The account you leave stays signed in, so you can return to it later.
- Press the Windows key, select your account name or picture in the menu that opens, choose the other account, and sign in.
- To see which accounts exist on the PC, go to Settings → Accounts → Other users.
- You can also press Windows + L or Ctrl + Alt + Del and pick another account from there.
How to switch users in Windows 11
Another account can only be selected if it already exists on the PC. The first two steps check that. If you already know the account is there, skip to step 3.
1. Open the list of user accounts
Press Windows + I to launch Settings. In the left navigation pane, select Accounts, then select Other users.
Alternatively, open the page directly:
2. Check that the other account is listed
Look at the Other users group. Every additional account on this PC appears there. Family members you added appear under Your family, and accounts from an organization appear under Work or school users.
If the account is missing, see the section on adding one below.
3. Save your work and open the account menu
Save open documents first. Apps in your session usually keep running after you switch, but unsaved work is lost if the session ends unexpectedly, for example if the other person shuts the PC down.
Press the Windows key. In the bottom-left corner of the menu that opens, select your account name or picture.
4. Choose the other account
A list of the other accounts on the PC appears. Select the account you want to use. Windows takes you to the sign-in screen for that account.
5. Sign in with the other account
Enter the password, PIN, or other sign-in method that account uses. The first time an account signs in, Windows needs a moment to prepare the desktop. After that, you see that person’s own files, settings, and apps.
To go back, repeat steps 3 and 4 and choose your original account. Your earlier session is still there, so you do not need to sign in from scratch.
Other ways to switch users
Lock the PC with Windows + L
Press Windows + L to lock your session and open the lock screen. Dismiss it to reach the sign-in screen. The list of accounts is in the lower-left corner. Select the account you want and sign in. This is the quickest method when you use the keyboard.
Use Ctrl + Alt + Del
Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to open the full-screen security menu. Choose the option to switch user, then select the other account on the sign-in screen. This method also works when the taskbar is unresponsive or a full-screen app has focus.
If the other account is missing
Only accounts that already exist on the PC appear in the account list. To add one, open Settings and go to Accounts → Other users.
- Under the option for adding another user, use the button to add an account.
- If the person has a Microsoft account, enter their email address.
- If they do not, you can sign them up for a new Microsoft account or create a local account without one.
Microsoft recommends a Microsoft account over a local one. It gives better integration with Microsoft services and syncs across devices. Parents can instead add family members through Allow family members to use this PC so that parental controls apply.
On a work or school PC, an organization can restrict these options, so some choices may be unavailable.
Be careful when removing accounts
You do not need to remove an account to stop using it. Removing it from the device deletes that person’s sign-in information and data from this PC, although their Microsoft account itself stays. The official Microsoft guide covers this in more detail. Only remove an account when its owner no longer needs the files stored on this PC.
Also keep the number of administrator accounts small. Use standard accounts for everyday work, because administrators can change settings, install software, and access all files.
Frequently asked questions
How do I switch users in Windows 11?
Press the Windows key, select your account name or picture in the bottom-left of the menu, choose the other account, and sign in. You can also use Windows + L or Ctrl + Alt + Del and pick the account on the sign-in screen.
Do I lose my open apps when I switch to another user?
Usually not. Your session stays signed in while the other person uses the PC, so you can return to it. Still, save your work first, because unsaved data can be lost if the PC is shut down.
What is the fastest keyboard shortcut to change accounts?
Press Windows + L to lock the PC, dismiss the lock screen, then pick another account in the lower-left corner of the sign-in screen. Ctrl + Alt + Del also offers an option to switch user.
Why is the other account not in the list on the sign-in screen?
The account probably does not exist on this PC yet. Open Settings → Accounts → Other users to check, and add the account there if needed.
Does removing a user account delete their Microsoft account?
No. Removing an account only deletes that person's sign-in information and data from this PC. Their Microsoft account stays intact, but any files stored only on this device are lost.
Official Microsoft documentation
