How to Add or Remove Switch User on User Tile in Start Menu in Windows 11
Switch user in Windows 11 adds a fast shortcut to your user tile in the Start menu so you can jump to another account on your PC without closing your own open apps and files. You can turn this button on or off in Windows 11 Home, Pro, or Enterprise editions using a quick tweak in the Local Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor.
Hiding the button keeps your Start menu clean and stops accidental clicks when you are the only person who uses your computer. Changing this setting takes just a few steps, and you can switch it back at any time.
Use the Registry Editor to add or remove the “Switch user” option. Navigate to 🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\
Why Change the Switch User Option?
Removing the windows 11 switch user button from your user tile helps clean up the Start menu if you are the only person using your computer. Hiding this option streamlines the menu interface without completely turning off the ability to switch user accounts when you need to.
How to Add or Remove Switch User
The Registry Editor is a tool that lets us change hidden Windows settings . Be careful when using it, as incorrect changes can cause problems.
Step 1Open Registry Editor
- Press the Win+R on your keyboard to open the Run box.
- Type
regeditand press Enter or click OK. - If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes. This is where you need administrator permission.
Step 2Navigate to the Correct Folder
Next, navigate to a specific location within the Registry Editor. Copy and paste the following path into the address bar at the top of the Registry Editor window, then press Enter:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
Step 3Add or Modify the 'HideSwitchUser' Value
The windows 11 switch user setting relies on a specific registry key located in the system folders. You need to open Registry Editor and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System to find or create the HideSwitchUser entry that controls this menu option.
- Look for an entry named
HideSwitchUseron the right side of the window. - If
HideSwitchUserdoes not exist:- Right-click on an empty space in the right-hand pane.
- Select New, then select DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name the new value
HideSwitchUserand press Enter.
- Double-click on the
HideSwitchUservalue (whether you just created it or it was already there).
Step 4Set the Value Data
Adjusting the windows 11 switch user visibility requires changing the numerical data inside your registry key. Setting the Value data to 1 hides the button from your user tile, while changing that same data back to 0 makes the button visible again.
- To REMOVE (hide) the "Switch user" button:
In the "Value data" box, type
1. Make sure the "Base" is set to "Hexadecimal". Click OK.
- To ADD (show) the "Switch user" button:
In the "Value data" box, type
0. Make sure the "Base" is set to "Hexadecimal". Click OK.
Step 5Restart Your Computer
For the changes to take effect, you need to restart your computer. After restarting, check your Start menu to see if the "Switch user" option has been added or removed.
Summary
Managing the windows 11 switch user button involves making a quick registry change in the system folders. You control whether the button appears on your Start menu user tile by creating the HideSwitchUser entry and switching its value between 1 and 0.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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