How to fix
“Switch user” missing
on Windows

Hello, I have recently bought a new Windows 10 laptop - I upgraded from Windows 8. Unlike in my previous PC, I do not see the "Switch User" option when I press Start > user icon. The only options available are  "Shut down,” “Sign out," "Sleep," and "Restart." Is there a solution for this available? I'd very much appreciate the help, as I need to switch users relatively often for work. At the moment, I have to log out every single time, which makes it a rather annoying experience.

Windows is an intricate operating system, as it holds so much information, applications, and files on it. Each of the machines differs, however, as each has a different set of hardware, user preferences, and other features. Over the years, Microsoft added new features to the operating system, including user accounts. This made the experience more personalized and also allowed several people to use the same machine without disclosing personal files or other personal information.

Most commonly, users can simply log out, and then another user can log in by picking the correct account and then type a unique password in. Also, some users use multiple accounts themselves for various reasons. This is when it becomes important to make a quick change using the "Switch user" function.

Multiple users have reported that, once they click the "Start" button and want to switch users quickly, they are unable to do so, as the "Switch user" option is simply missing.[ref en-2] While users can run different versions of Windows 10 systems, this feature might look quite a bit different.

In most cases, users who wanted to fix "Switch user" missing in Windows 10 were a part of a domain - it means that the administrator can turn off the function completely if they desire so. However, others claimed that their computers were not connected to a server or a network, and they were the sole users of the PC at home, and not at the workplace.

In any case, there are a few simple ways to return the "Switch user" feature by using various built-in Windows tools, such as the registry[ref en-3] or group policy. Note: if you are suffering from constant Windows crashes, errors, BSODs,[ref en-1] and other issues, we recommend using [d1] repair software as a quick remedy.

Fix 1. Click on your account icon and see if other users are visible

To attempt to switch to another user, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start button
2. If you see an icon of your account - click on it
3. You should be able to see other users listed under the Sign out option.

   

If you do not see any other users, it means that the feature is simply disabled. To fix the "Switch user" missing issue, proceed with the solutions provided below.

Fix 2. Edit Group Policy settings

1. Type in Group Policy in Windows search
2. Press Enter or click on Edit Group Policy
3. Click on the following:

   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Logon

4. On the right side, find and double-click the Hide entry points for Fast User Switching
5. Select Disabled
6. Click Apply and OK

   

7. Close down the Group Policy Editor

Fix 3. Modify Windows registry

If the previous fix did not help you, you should employ the Registry Editor. Note that modifying the registry incorrectly might damage your system, so you should back it up first.

1. Type in regedit in Windows search
2. Right-click the Registry Editor search result and select Run as administrator
3. When User Account Control window shows up, pick Yes
4. Click File > Export
5. Select the location where you would like to store the backup of you Registry
6. Make sure Export range is set to All and then click Save

   

Next, perform the following steps:

1.  Open Registry Editor once again as explained above
2. Navigate to the following location:

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

3. On the right side, right-click on the HideFastUserSwitching key and select Edit
4. Set its value to 0.