Sign in as other user not available.

Question

I have set up another user in settings but, even after trying various online suggestions, no options appear when wishing to sign in as "other user".

Answer 1

Hi Mark,

Windows should show an option to sign in as "other user" once a secondary account is added. If no options appear, it usually points to one of a few common scenarios:

Account Type Restriction: The new account might not have the correct privileges, or a group policy is hiding other users.

Fast User Switching Issue: A setting might be disabling the quick switching feature.

Domain/Work PC Settings: If your PC is connected to a work domain, specific organizational settings often override local user options.

 

The Fixes We Can Try:

Here are some reliable steps to force Windows to display the other user options:

Verify the Account is Correctly Set Up

First, let's make sure the second account is properly added and configured as a standard or administrator account.

Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users (or Other users).

Check that the account is listed there.

Select the account, go to Change account type, and ensure it is either Standard User or Administrator (not just a "Family member" that requires supervision settings).

Check Local Group Policy Settings

This advanced setting can hide the alternative sign-in options.

Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.

Type gpedit.msc and press Enter (Note: This tool is only available on Windows 10/11 Pro and Enterprise editions. If you have Windows Home, skip to Step 3).

Navigate carefully in the left pane to: Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Logon

In the right pane, find the policy "Hide entry points for Fast User Switching".

Double-click it and ensure it is set to "Not Configured" or "Disabled".

Click Apply and OK, then restart your PC.

Use a Registry Edit (For Windows Home or as an alternative)

This is the registry alternative to the Group Policy setting above.

 Important Safety Note: Edit the Registry carefully. Back it up first by going to File > Export in the Registry Editor.

Press the Windows Key + R > type regedit > Press Enter.

Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

In the right pane, look for a DWORD entry named HideFastUserSwitching.

If it exists, double-click it and change the Value data to 0 (zero).

If it doesn't exist, you can ignore it.

Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Try the Alternative Sign-Out Method

Instead of just locking the screen, try explicitly signing out:

Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, and select Sign out.

When the sign-in screen appears again, you should hopefully see the different user profiles listed in the bottom-left corner.

 

One of these steps should help reveal the missing sign-in options and allow you to switch users correctly!