How to Add or Remove Switch User on User Tile in Start Menu in Windows 11
Adding or removing the “Switch user” option on the Windows 11 Start menu lets you control how easily you can access other accounts on your computer.
This quick shortcut shows up right on your Start menu, letting you hop to another user profile without closing your own programs. This is great when someone else needs to use your PC.
If you prefer a cleaner Start menu, or if you’re the only person who uses your computer, you might want to hide this option. This guide shows you how to manage the “Switch user” button on your Windows 11 Start menu.
Use the Registry Editor to add or remove the “Switch user” option. Navigate to 🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System, then create or modify the HideSwitchUser DWORD value. Set its data to 1 to hide it, or 0 to show it, then restart your PC.
Why Change the Switch User Option?
You might want to change the Switch User option in the Windows 11 Start menu if you don’t use it often. Hiding the “Switch user” button from your user tile can clean up the menu without turning off the feature entirely. This makes your Start menu a bit simpler if you’re the only one using your computer.
How to Add or Remove Switch User
Step 1Open Registry Editor
- Press the Windows key + 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
To change the Switch User option, you can add or modify a specific setting in the Windows Registry Editor. This process involves finding or creating a value named HideSwitchUser in the registry folder 🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System. If HideSwitchUser is not present in this folder, you will create it as a new DWORD value.
- 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
Setting the correct Value data for HideSwitchUser tells Windows whether to hide or show the “Switch user” button. To hide the “Switch user” option, you set its Value data to 1. To show it again, you change the Value data back to 0.
- 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 5 Restart 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
The "Switch user" option in the Windows 11 Start menu is controlled by a registry edit. To change this option, you navigate to the `🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer` system folder. You then create or change a value called HideSwitchUser. Setting HideSwitchUser to 1 hides the "Switch user" button; setting it to 0 shows the button. You must restart your PC after making the registry change.
How do I switch to a different user in 🪟 Windows 11?
Click the Start button, then click your user account picture. You will see a list of other user accounts. Click the account you want to switch to. You may need to enter the password for that account.
How do I switch users on 🪟 Windows 11 login page?
On the Windows 11 login screen, click the power icon in the bottom right corner. Then, choose 'Restart'. Once your PC restarts, you will see a list of user accounts. Select the one you want to use.
Why can't I switch users on 🪟 Windows 11?
You might not be able to switch users if the feature is turned off or if you are not an administrator. Ensure you have the necessary permissions. Sometimes, a simple restart of your computer can fix this issue.
Why is my PC not giving me the option to switch user?
This option might be hidden or disabled. You can re-enable it using the Registry Editor tool. You'll need administrator rights to make this change. Modifying the registry allows you to control which options appear on your Start menu.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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