Adding and Switching Users Windows 10

How to Switch User Accounts on Windows 10



If more than one person uses the computer, each person can have a user account defined with a username and a password. To create a new user account, as either a Microsoft Account or a Local account:


Beware:

The email address is a required field when creating a new user with a Microsoft Account.

  • Access the Settings app and select Accounts
  • Click on the Family & other people button
  • Click on the Add a family member button
  • Select whether the account is for a child or an adult. For a child, this provides online security options
  • Enter the name of the new user, an email address, and a password to create a Microsoft Account for the user
  • Click on the Next button to complete the setup wizard
  • The user is added to the Accounts pages

Hot tip:

Family Safety settings can be applied by clicking on the Manage family settings online link on the Family & other people page. This takes you to your online Microsoft Account page where settings can be applied for items such as web filtering, time controls, and app restrictions.

  • Click on a user to change the type of their account, e.g. from a Local account to a Microsoft Account, or to delete their account

Switching us users

If you have a number of user accounts defined on the computer (several accounts can be active at the same time), you do not need to close your apps and log off to be able to switch to another user It is easy to switch back and forth.

1. Click on the Start button


Don't forget:

When switching users, all of your settings and files are maintained but the new user will not be able to see them, and you will not be able to see theirs when you switch back. Your screen should look exactly the same as you left it.

2. Click on another user's name. They will have to enter their own password in order to access their account, at which point they will be signed in. You can then switch between users without each having to log out each time

As an alternative way to switch users:


Beware:

If the other accounts have data files open, shutting down without logging them off could cause them to lose information.



1. Press WinKey + L to lock the current user

2. Access the Log on screen for all of the current users and select one as required

Shot down

When you turn off your computer, you will be warned if there are other users' accounts still logged on to the computer.

  • Click on the Shut down anyway button to shut down without other users logging off

Someone else is still using this PC. If you shut down now, they could lose unsaved work.

Shut down anyway