How do I Switch users on Windows 7?

DeanReid · 24 Aug 2013

I've been looking all over the internet for the past 2 hours trying to find a decent thread that would help me, Everything seems the same and I've followed Instructions by the book..

I want to be able to use 2 Administrator accounts or 1 Administrator and 1 Standard account at the same time, for various reasons. I've read that I should try the

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersi
on\Policies\System

and the

Code:

GPEDIT 
Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Logon

Ect.
I've Tried all of these options but none of them Have Worked, I've Rebooted after each attempt but It will only let me login to the user that locked the screen.

Can anyone help?

Thanks,
Dean

gregrocker · 24 Aug 2013

So what happens when you click

then choose the arrow next to the Shut Down button to Switch User? It should take you to the Log On screen to choose one of the other accounts.

To keep your work open on one account, you'd choose Switch User instead of Log Off. You can move between all of the accounts this way.

DeanReid · 24 Aug 2013

That's All I see and When I Lock my screen I cant change user but If I log off, the Switch User button appears

Brink · 24 Aug 2013

Hello Dean, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Check using the tutorial below to make sure that you have Switch User enabled to see if that may help.

Fast User Switching

For now, you could also use a Switch User shortcut if you like.

Switch User Desktop Shortcut

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn

DeanReid · 24 Aug 2013

Hi, The Switch User Desktop Shortcut Worked Somewhat, I was able to see all my users but when I clicked on another user to login it says

Code:

The Number of Connections to this computer is Limited

What does that mean?? I've never seen that error before,

Also I have checked out the Tutorial and done everything that it says but Still doesn't show for me.

EDIT: I've Just been going through my System Properties and I've noticed Remote Desktop has disappeared. Doesn't Windows 7 Ultimate Support Remote Desktop??
Thanks,

Dean

Brink · 24 Aug 2013

Are you part of a domain by chance?

How many user accounts do you currently have logged in at the same time? You may need to log some out.

DeanReid · 24 Aug 2013

I don't believe so is there any way to find that out, also There is 2 user accounts on my pc 1 My main account and 1 for Family Members and Its really inconvenient when I'm busy doing work and have to logout to let them on if they need on

Brink · 24 Aug 2013

If you don't know, then most likely you are not part of a domain since it would have to be set up.

I'm afraid that it seems that you set some setting at some point that affects how many users can be logged in at the same time. I'm not sure which setting this would be, but use the tutorial below to see what group policy setting you have enabled and post a screenshot showing them to see if one of them may be responsible.

Group Policy Editor - Quickly View Enabled Policies in Windows

Are they logging in to the computer locally, or trying to do so remotely?

DeanReid · 24 Aug 2013

Thats 3 Images from the GPEdit

Also I'm trying to login locally

Brink · 24 Aug 2013

Nothing there.

Since you only have 2 accounts on the PC and are not using it as a server or remote connections (RDC), then if you have shares, it may be possible that there are idle sessions still open causing this. Windows 7 only allows up to 10 connections at the same time by default.

To check:

Open compmgmt.msc (Computer Management).
In the left pane, click on Shared folders to expand it, and click on Sessions to open it in the right pane.
If you have more than 10, then that's the issue. You could right click on listed sessions in the right pane that you want to close, and click on Close Session.