How to Enable or Disable Fast User Switching in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to turn Fast User Switching on or off in Windows 11. Fast User Switching lets you quickly switch between different user accounts without signing out.

Why Use Fast User Switching?

When you sign into Windows, your profile loads. This includes your settings, files, and favorites. Each user on the computer has their own separate profile that other users cannot see.

Normally, you would sign out before another person signs in. But with Fast User Switching, multiple people can be signed in at the same time. You can switch between accounts without closing your programs. When you switch back to your account, your applications and internet connections stay exactly where you left them. It’s like both users are using the computer at the same time.

What You Need

🔒 Admin privileges required: You must be signed in as an administrator to change this setting.

Option One: Using Local Group Policy Editor

You can enable or disable Fast User Switching in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions using the Local Group Policy Editor by navigating to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Logon and adjusting the Hide entry point for Fast User Switching policy. This method requires Windows Pro or higher and provides a graphical interface for managing the feature.

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor by typing gpedit.msc in the search box and pressing Enter.
2. In the left pane, navigate to this location:
   

   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Logon

3. In the right pane, find the policy called Hide entry points for Fast User Switching and double-click it.
   
4. To enable Fast User Switching (turn it on):
   

   Select the dot next to Not Configured, then click OK. This is the default setting.

5. To disable Fast User Switching (turn it off):
   

   Select the dot next to Enabled, then click OK.

6. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor.

Option Two: Using Registry Commands

Registry commands let you enable or disable Fast User Switching on any Windows 11 edition without Pro requirements. You need administrator privileges in Windows Terminal to execute the commands that modify the HideFastUserSwitching value in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System, making this the most universal configuration method.

1. 🔒 Admin privileges required: Right-click on Windows Terminal and select Run as administrator.
2. To enable Fast User Switching (turn it on):
   

   Copy and paste this command, then press Enter:

   reg delete “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System” /v HideFastUserSwitching /f

   This is the default setting.

3. To disable Fast User Switching (turn it off):
   

   Copy and paste this command, then press Enter:

   reg add “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System” /v HideFastUserSwitching /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Summary

Fast User Switching lets multiple people stay signed into Windows 11 at the same time and switch between accounts quickly. Your programs and settings stay running when you switch accounts. You can enable or disable this feature using either the Local Group Policy Editor (Pro editions only) or Registry commands (all editions). You need administrator access to make these changes. After you change the setting, the new Fast User Switching option will take effect.