Using the Sign Out Feature

by Barry Dysert
(last updated March 27, 2017)

If you click Start and then click the Power button, chances are you'll only see options to Sleep, Shut Down, or Restart. If you merely want to logout and login as a different user, there's no need to reboot your machine. To sign out of Windows without shutting down the machine, first click Start. Then on the left side of the menu you'll see an icon that represents you. In the following figure, "I" am represented by the top icon that's a tiny beach umbrella with two chairs: (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. Selecting "me."

When you click "your" icon, you'll see options for "Change Account Settings," "Lock," and "Sign Out." You can then sign out, and you'll be presented with the login screen.

By the way, you can also sign out by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del and choosing "Sign Out" from the choices that appear. I just thought that going through the Start menu was more esoteric.

 This tip (1676) applies to Windows 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode

Hopefully you'll never find yourself in a situation where you need to restart your computer in Safe Mode. If you do, ...

Discover More

Exporting a Portion of the Registry

Windows wouldn't function if it weren't for the Registry, and many system tweaks involve editing it. Before making such ...

Discover More

Breaking a Network Drive Mapping Association

Windows makes it easy to break the association between a network drive and its assigned letter. This tip explains how.

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Understanding the Guest Account

If lots of people may need temporary access to your computer, then you may want to set up the Guest user account. Before ...

Discover More

Using Your Own Picture as an Account Picture

You can easily customize your computing experience by using your own picture as your account picture. This tip explains how.

Discover More

Changing Your Windows 7 Password

Want to change the password you use when you log into Windows? It's easy to do, as you discover in this tip.

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 3 - 1?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2022 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.