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How to Disable “Switch User” Option in Windows Vista and 7?

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“Switch User” feature was introduced in Windows XP which allows one user to switch to other user without ending the current session. Its a very useful feature and also available in Windows Vista and 7.

Many system administrators might want to disable this feature to restrict end-users. If the users are using Windows XP, its very easy task. You can disable “Switch User” option using “User Accounts” applet in Control Panel.

But its not that easy under Windows Vista and 7 as there is no such option available anywhere in Control Panel. So how to disable “Switch User” option in Vista and 7?

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Although its hard but not impossible. It can be done using Group Policy Editor as well as Registry Editor. So here we are sharing both methods which can be used to disable “Switch User” option in Windows Vista and 7:

Switch_User_Disabled_in_Win_Vista_7.png

A. Disable “Switch User” Option Using Group Policy Editor:

1. Type gpedit.msc in RUN or Start Menu Searchbox and press Enter. It’ll open Group Policy Editor.

2. Now go to:

Local Computer Policy -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Logon

3. In right-side pane, double-click on “Hide entry points for Fast User Switching” option and set it to Enabled.

Disable_Switch_User_in_Win_Vista_7.png

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4. That’s it. Now “Switch User” option will be disabled from Welcome screen as well as from Shutdown menu.

B. Disable “Switch User” Option Using Registry Editor:

Some Windows editions such as Starter, Home Basic and Home Premium don’t come with Group Policy Editor. If you can’t use Group Policy Editor, here is a Registry method to do the same thing:

1. Type regedit in RUN or Start Menu Searchbox and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

3. In right-side pane, create a new DWORD value HideFastUserSwitching and set its value to 1

Disable_Switch_User_2_in_Win_Vista_.png

4. That’s it. Now “Switch User” option will be disabled from Welcome screen as well as from Shutdown menu.

PS: If you want a ready-made script to do the task automatically, download following ZIP file, extract it and run the extracted .REG file. It’ll ask for confirmation, accept it:

Download Script

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 7, Windows Vista

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

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Comments

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  1. Hi,
    First of all thanks for this topic.
    On the previous comp it worked like a charm (HP Probook 4520s,Win 7 Ent SP1 64 bit).
    Here on new laptop with the same OS Win 7 Ent SP1 64 bit, i found and enabled this option in Local GP but still “Switch Users” appears.Also there is no registry key in HKLM and HKLU.Just added DWORD 32bit string HideFastUserSwitching and set its value to 0.Still Switch Users appears.

    Anyone encountered this problem?

  2. Does not work do you need to reboot or something? i can still see my user switching options and use them still

  3. ^^ If you use Group Policy Editor, you’ll not need a reboot or log off but if you use Registry Editor method, you’ll need to log off or restart your system.

  4. Unlike the others I want to enable this feature in Windows 7. It seems, what it’s impossible, since SP1 install…
    I tried to edit “Registry” and “Local Group Policy” with no doubt. It’s impossible to even get greyed-out function… I tried to use “Switch User Tool”. It locks my administrator account, but when I trying to Log-on to other account, I getting an error:

    “The number of connections to this computer is limited and all connections are in use right now. Try connecting later or contact your system administrator.”

    I rode a discussion in a Forum. It looks like, what one person had the same problem as me. Btw, I’m using “Super administrator” account.

  6. I don’t know, what ‘u meant. Hehe.., but I’m running Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) and “Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer” is checked on. I don’t think, what I’m using server version, if ‘u asked that… I remember, what long long ago, maybe before SP1, I had “Switch User” function. If SP1 uninstalling is the best, what I can do, then I rather wouldn’t have this option.

  7. ^^ It might be a Registry or system file problem. I think you used a tweaking software which made some changes to Registry to change the connection limit, etc. I can only suggest a repair of Windows or fresh installation of Windows.

  9. Is there a way to disable the switch user when someone locks the computer but not all the time.
    I’d like to do this so that If i lock the computer no one except me can use it.

  10. The problem with this, unless I am missing something, is it removes the option to restart the computer when an account is at the lock screen. So basically we end up having to hard restart to get those users out.

    Is there a way to make it like XP where at the very least you can log that person out with the administrator account so someone else can log in without restarting the box?

  11. All these unnecessarily complicated solutions are great and all, but if you simply want to switch users from the guest account in Windows 8, try CTRL-ALT-DEL from the desktop. You don’t need a nuke to kill a mosquito.

  13. Great!
    Workes fine in W7 through “regedit”.
    Disabled “Switch User” Option with easy.
    Thanks.

  14. A. Disable “Switch User” Option Using Group Policy Editor:

    Worked perfectly using Windows 7 Enterprise, without need to reboot either.

  16. To Living Legend,

    You didn’t get it, It’s about totally removing that fast user switching option. Please read more carefully in future before making dull comments,

    Kind regards

  18. I have Win 7 x64 Ultimate. I have removed the Fast User Switching (I dont remeber how!) and cannot enable it anymore, even setting group policy disabled. The ‘switch user’ button is simply missing.

    I believe I used one of those tweak apps and disabled it in some other way 🙁

    Any advice?

    Thanks!

  20. ^^ Check Services Manager and look for “Fast User Switching Capability” service. If its present, set it to Automatic.

  21. What Jerry is describing is what one a**hat did at work so when I go to fix the a**hat’s PC after receiving the support ticket, I have to hold the power button in for 4 seconds then restart or go later in the day when the a**hat arrives.

    In spite, I should lock it when I leave so he can see how stupid it is. I was researching how to revert it but they are the type of a**hat to undo it since they have the understanding.

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