Win 11 - Unable to Switch user

Question

I have machine running Windows 11 LTSC Enterprise - workstation and non-domain joined. I recently observed the option to switch user disappeared . I made sure these were checked.

1. User account is not disabled.
2. Registry for "HideFastUserSwitching " is set to 0.
3. No user entries on the Lock Screen.
4. Group Policy is set to Not Configured for Computer Configuration └ Administrative Templates └ System └ Logon --> Hide entry points for Fast User Switching After trying above items, the switch user does not appear.

Answer 1

For Windows 11, Switch user can be hidden by either of these policies, and they affect different places:

1. Hide Switch user
   • Hides Switch user from the Start menu user tile.
   • CSP: ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/Start/HideSwitchAccount
   • Value 0 = visible, 1 = hidden.
2. Hide entry points for Fast User Switching
   • Hides the Switch User interface from the sign-in screen, Start menu, and Task Manager.
   • GPO path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Logon > Hide entry points for Fast User Switching
   • CSP: ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/WindowsLogon/HideFastUserSwitching
   • Value 0 = visible, 1 = hidden.

Since HideFastUserSwitching is already 0 and the GPO is Not Configured, the remaining policy to check is HideSwitchAccount.

Check these items:

1. Verify the Start policy for HideSwitchAccount is not enabled.
   • CSP path: ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/Start/HideSwitchAccount
   • Expected value: 0
2. Confirm whether the issue is only in the Start menu or also in other locations.
   • If Switch user is missing only from the Start menu, that matches HideSwitchAccount.
   • If it is also missing from the sign-in screen and Task Manager, that matches HideFastUserSwitching.
3. Check whether the device is organization-managed.
   • On managed devices, Switch user is an additional option in Windows account access flows.
4. Test alternate account access entry points.
   • In Windows, select Start, select the user picture or Accounts icon, and look for Switch user.
   • If available, this takes Windows to the sign-in screen where another account can be selected.

If HideFastUserSwitching = 0, the GPO is Not Configured, and HideSwitchAccount is also 0, the supported documentation only identifies those policy controls for hiding the option.

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References:

• Start menu policy settings (windows-11)
• Policy CSP - WindowsLogon
• Policy CSP - Start
• User Account Access in Windows