Using the Sign Out Feature

Written 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

Creating a Disk Partition

Partitioning your disk offers a quick and efficient means to make good use of your disk resources. By creating disk ...

Discover More

Tips for Using USB Drives

USB drives are very useful for storing and transferring data. This tip provides some useful guidance in dealing with USB ...

Discover More

Moving Files Using the Command Line

The MOVE command can be a timesaver over trying to do the similar sort of thing with File Explorer. You can move hundreds ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

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

Adding a User Account

Windows allows you to set up individual user accounts in case there are multiple people using the same computer. Here's ...

Discover More

Creating a PIN for Sign-in

Add an extra level of security to your computer to protect your data. A PIN allows for added peace of mind and use.

Discover More
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 2 - 2?

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

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.