Solved How to access desktop of local user account

[chrisdr]

Hi,

I am running Windows 7 Ultimate (desktop machine). The machine has a number of accounts, each of which are logged in and running programs.

I've considered running VMs, but I don't want to break the licencing on the software that I am running. So, I am stuck with running multiple user accounts.

I'd like to be able to access the desktop of the other accounts without logging out and changing user. I considered the possibility of using remote desktop, but in this scenario, the computer has a single IP address.

Any suggestions for how to do this, or whether it is even possible?

Thanks

Christopher

 

[gregrocker]

Why do you need different user accounts like this? The explanation doesn't make sense.
What keeps you from having everything under your named User account?

 

[chrisdr]

Why do you need different user accounts like this? The explanation doesn't make sense.
What keeps you from having everything under your named User account?

The software that I am running does some background processing, but it can only run a single instance. One run of software takes many hours to complete. In order to save time, I want to be able to run it multiple times with different criteria.

That's why I need to use multiple user accounts - It is just frastrating having to logout/login to check to check the status of each session.

 

[gregrocker]

Without passwords you should be able to switch between Users easily with fast User switching.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Switch-users-without-logging-off
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/61307-switch-user-shortcut-create.html

I don't know how the software is going to react to that, though.

 

[chrisdr]

Without passwords you should be able to switch between Users easily with fast User switching.
Switch users without logging off
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/61307-switch-user-shortcut-create.html

I don't know how the software is going to react to that, though.

Thanks, I'll let the current sessions complete before trying fast user switching. I don't want to risk a problem as I've had eight accounts running for 4 days so far!

Christopher

 

[gregrocker]

:shock:

 

[chrisdr]

Without passwords you should be able to switch between Users easily with fast User switching.
Switch users without logging off
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/61307-switch-user-shortcut-create.html

I don't know how the software is going to react to that, though.

Machine load has settled down now so I've tried the switch user shortcut. It does work, but is essentially just a convenience shortcut back to login screen.

I found this commercial app with a 30 day trial. It supports direct login via hot key.

Direct User Switching Task

It works pretty well.

Thanks

Christopher