Guide to Lock, Sign Out, or Switch Users on Windows 11 (2024)

• To log out of Windows 11, access the “Start” menu, select your account options, and click on the “Sign out” choice.
• For user switching, navigate to the “Start” menu, click on the account manager, expand the “More options” in the top-right corner, and choose the user you’d like to switch to.
• To secure your PC, open the “Start” menu, click on the “Power” settings, and select the “Lock” option.

In Windows 11, the Start menu has introduced a revamped account manager interface that modifies the processes for logging out, locking, and switching between users. This article outlines these changes and guides you to the new locations for each option.

With the June 2024 update, Microsoft started rolling out a new account manager interface within the Start menu, which replaces the prior profile menu. The updated look emphasizes the importance of backing up your data to the cloud and provides alerts for any required action regarding your account. Additionally, when logged into a Microsoft account, you can quickly view your cloud storage status and details about active and soon-to-expire services.

These updates have resulted in some options being relocated from the old profile menu. Notably, the “Switch user” feature is now located within a submenu, while the lock option is found in the power settings menu.

This guide will provide you with updated steps to lock your screen, sign out, and switch users in Windows 11. (These design modifications to the Start menu for the account manager also apply to Windows 10.)

Logging Out of Your Account in Windows 11

Initial iterations of the account manager made it less straightforward to log off, but this has been improved, making the option more visible as soon as you access the menu.

Signing Out via the Start Menu

To log out from the Start menu on Windows 11, proceed with the following steps:

1. Open the Start menu.

2. Select the user profile menu.

3. Click on the Sign out option located in the top-right corner.

   

Using Ctrl + Alt + Del

For logging out through the “Ctrl + Alt + Del” method, follow these steps:

1. Press the “Ctrl + Alt + Del” keyboard shortcut.

2. Select the Sign out option.

   

Using Alt + F4

To log out via the “Alt + F4” command, do the following:

1. Press the “Alt + F4” keys on your desktop.

2. Select the Sign out option.

   

3. Click the OK button.

Using the Start Button Menu

To log out through the Start context menu, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Start menu.

2. Hover over the “Shut down or sign out” option and select “Sign out” .

   

Using Command Prompt

To log out through Windows 11 using commands, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Start menu.

2. Search for Command Prompt and select the top result to launch the application.

3. Input the following command to log out and hit Enter:

   logoff
   

Switching Users on Windows 11

If you share your device with others, you might notice changes regarding user switching within the Start menu.

Switch Users via the Start Menu

To change users from the Start menu, use these steps:

1. Open the Start menu.

2. Click on the user profile menu.

3. Click on the three dots (“More options”) in the top-right and choose a different user from the list.

   

Upon completion, you will be redirected to the sign-in screen for the selected user.

Using Task Manager

To switch users from the Task Manager, follow these instructions:

1. Open the Start menu.

2. Search for Task Manager and select the top result.

3. Navigate to the Users section.

4. (Option 1) Right-click on the currently logged-in user and select Disconnect.

5. Click on the Disconnect user button to switch users.

   

6. (Option 2) Right-click on the other user and select “Switch user account” .

Using Alt + F4

To switch users with the “Alt + F4” command, follow these steps:

1. Press the “ALT + F4” keys while on the desktop.

2. Select the Switch user option.

   

3. Click OK.

Using Ctrl + Alt + Del

For switching users with the “Ctrl + Alt + Del” command, follow these steps:

1. Press the “Ctrl + Alt + Del” key combination.

2. Select the Switch user option.

   

Using Command Prompt

To switch users via commands, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Start menu.

2. Find Command Prompt and select it from the top results to open the application.

3. Type the command below to switch users and press Enter:

   tsdiscon
   

Locking Your Account in Windows 11

The process of locking your account has also evolved with the new account manager interface in Windows 11.

Locking from the Start Menu

To lock your computer using the Start menu, follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu.

2. Click on the user Power menu.

3. Select the Lock option.

   

Using Ctrl + Alt + Del

To lock your device via the “Ctrl + Alt + Del” sequence, follow these instructions:

1. Press the “Ctrl + Alt + Del” keys together.

2. Select the Lock option.

   

Using Windows Key + L

To quickly lock your account on Windows 11, press the “Windows key + L” keyboard shortcut.

From the sign-in screen, you can also switch between users by selecting from the user list displayed on the left.

Update October 9, 2024: This guide has been revised to ensure accuracy and reflect the latest changes in the process.

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