If you recently installed Windows 11 on your computer, you might feel uncomfortable in finding the following options:-
- Lock
- Sign out
- Switch User
Lock: This feature allows users to lock their computers so that no unauthorized people can gain access to your PC. Windows will prompt for a password to enter your PC when someone tries to enter your computer. The Lock function is useful when you leave your PC for some time without closing your opened application. Just press the Windows + L keys from the keyboard to lock your workstation.
Sign out: This function is useful when you have finished your job and want to login into another user account on your PC. When you use the Sign out option, all your opened applications will be closed by Windows.
Switch User: This useful option allows you to login into another user account on your PC without actually closing opened applications or windows. That means one account will be inactive, and at the same time, another account will be active. This useful function is handy when you are using a shared computer. Without finishing and closing the running programs, you can still login into other user accounts. That means there is no need to Sign out or Log off to your current user account in which you are working.
This gearupwindows article will guide you with different ways to access Lock, Sign out, and Switch User options on Windows 11 PC.
How to Lock, Sign out, and Switch User on Windows 11 using the Start menu?
Apart from the power button (Shut down, Restart, and Sleep), Windows 11 also hosts Lock, Sign out, and Switch User options. You don’t know where it exists; let me show you.
Step 1. Click on the Start button from the taskbar. On the bottom right side of the screen, click on the Power icon to access the Sleep, Shut down, and Restart options. On the Power icon, you can also enable and add Hibernate option.
Step 2. On the bottom left of the Start menu, you will see the user icon; click on it to find the Lock and Sign out option. Just below the Sign out option, other user accounts of your PC will be visible. Clicking that, you can switch to another account on your PC.
How to Access the Switch user and Sign out option using the Shut Down Windows dialog on Windows 11?
To access the Switch user and Sign out option using the Shut Down Windows dialog on Windows 11, use these steps:-
Step 1. Minimize all the opened windows or programs on your PC (use the shortcut key Ctrl + D).
Step 2. Now, press the Alt + F4 keys from the keyboard to bring up the Shut Down Windows dialog box. From here, you can perform Shut down, Switch user, Sign out, or Restart. Due to some unknown reason, Microsoft has removed Log off option from here.
How to access Lock, Sign out, and Switch User options on Windows 11 using Ctrl + Alt + Del shortcut?
Ctrl + Alt + Del keyboard shortcut is another option to access Lock, Sign out, and Switch user on Windows 11. Once you press this key combination from the keyboard, you can access the following options on your PC:-
- Lock
- Switch user
- Sign out
- Change a password
- Task Manager
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lock, Sign out, and Switch User are essential functions on a Windows 11 PC, especially when multiple users share the same device. This gearupwindows article provides multiple ways to access these options, including using the Start menu, the Shut Down Windows dialog box, and the Ctrl + Alt + Del keyboard shortcut. Knowing how to use these options can improve your productivity and security, allowing you to quickly switch between user accounts without closing any running applications or programs.
