Turn On Fast User Switching

When multiple users share a computer, logging off and logging on to the computer in order to switch users can become tiresome. Fast User Switching, a feature of Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional (when it is not joined to a domain), makes it possible for you to quickly switch between users without actually logging off from the computer. Multiple users can share a computer and use it simultaneously, switching back and forth without closing the programs they are running. The procedure tells you how to turn on Fast User Switching through User Accounts in Control Panel.

Important  When Fast User Switching is turned on, SerialKeys will not work.

Mouse actionsKeyboard actions
1 On the Start menu:
  • Select Control Panel
Display the Start menu by pressing CTRL+ESC (or the Windows logo key Windows logo key).
  • Select Control Panel by pressing C.
2 In Control Panel:
  • Be sure you are in Classic View (all Control Panel icons are showing).
  • If not, under Control Panel in the left pane, select Switch to Classic View.
  • Select User Accounts.
 In Control Panel:
  • Be sure you are in Classic View (all Control Panel icons are showing).
  • If not, under Control Panel in the left pane, select Switch to Classic View by pressing TAB.
  • Press ENTER.
  • Move to User Accounts by pressing the arrow keys.
  • Press ENTER.
3 In the User Accounts dialog box:
  • Select the Change the way users log on or off tab.
 In the User Accounts dialog box:
  • Select the Change the way users log on or off tab by pressing TAB.
  • Press ENTER.
4

In the Select logon and logoff options dialog box, choose one of the following:

To specify that a user's programs remain running when another user logs on to the computer:

  • Select the Fast User Switching check box.

If you select this option, programs do not shut down when another user logs on to the computer.

To specify that programs shut down when users log off the computer:

  • Clear the Use Fast User Switching check box.

Programs automatically shut down when users log off the computer, and the computer will run faster for the next user who logs on.

  • Select OK.

Important:  When Fast User Switching is turned on, SerialKeys will not work.

In the Select logon and logoff options dialog box, choose one of the following:

To specify that a user's programs remain running when another user logs on to the computer:

  • Select the Fast User Switching check box by pressing F.

If you select this option, programs do not shut down when another user logs on to the computer.

To specify that programs shut down when users log off the computer:

  • Clear the Use Fast User Switching check box by pressing F.

Programs automatically shut down when users log off the computer, and the computer will run faster for the next user who logs on.

  • Press ENTER.

Important:  When Fast User Switching is turned on, SerialKeys will not work.

5 To close Control Panel:
  • Select the Close button.
 To close Control Panel:
  • Press ALT+F, C.

Notes:  

  • Only users with a computer administrator account on a computer can turn on or turn off Fast User Switching.
  • Fast User Switching cannot be turned off while multiple users are logged on to the computer.
  • When Fast User Switching is not turned on, programs shut down when you log off, and the computer runs faster for the next user who logs on.