This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the ability to switch user for all users in Windows 11.
When a user signs in to Windows, the system loads their profile. Because each user has a unique user account, this allows multiple users to share a computer. When a user signs in, the desktop settings, files, favorites, and history they see are theirs; they cannot be accessed by other users. When that user signs out, their profile is preserved for the next time that they sign in.
A user does not have to sign out to allow another user to sign in. Instead, it is possible for multiple users to sign in and switch quickly between their open accounts. This feature is referred to as Fast User Switching. Switching to another account does not change the state of the applications that a user is currently running. Suppose, for instance, that one user allows another user to switch to their account while the first user is signed in. When the first user switches back to their account, their applications are running and their network connections are preserved. Therefore, it appears that both users are simultaneously using the computer.
You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable Fast User Switching.
Contents
- Option One: Enable or Disable Fast User Switching in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Two: Enable or Disable Fast User Switching using REG file
EXAMPLE: Fast User Switching enabled
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
All editions can use Option Two to configure the same policy.
1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Logon
3 In the right pane of Logon in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Hide entry points for Fast User Switching policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you want.
5 Enable Fast User Switching
This is the default setting.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7. (see screenshot below)
6 Disable Fast User Switching
A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7. (see screenshot below)
7 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.
1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
2 Enable Fast User Switching
This is the default setting
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Enable_Fast_User_Switching.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"HideFastUserSwitching"=-3 Disable Fast User Switching
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Disable_Fast_User_Switching.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"HideFastUserSwitching"=dword:000000014 Save the REG file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
