4 Quick Ways to Log Out of Your Windows User Account

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Log out of your Windows 10 laptop or desktop PC
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Do you want to sign out of Windows 10, but can't seem to find the option to do so? Signing out of Windows lets you sign in to another user account if needed. This is different from powering down your PC. Logging out can be done in many different ways. Here's how to sign out of Windows 10 and Windows 11.

How to Log Out of Your Windows PC

To log out of your Windows computer, click the Start menu, select your user profile icon, and then choose Sign Out . Alternatively, press the keyboard shortcut Alt + F4 or Ctrl + Alt + Del keyboard shortcuts for a quick sign-out option.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using the Start Menu

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  1. Click the Startbutton located at the bottom-left of the screen. [1]
    • Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win keyboard key.
    • Before you start : Save any unsaved work in open apps. Signing out will close open apps, and any unsaved work since your last save opportunity will be discarded and most likely lost.
    • This method will work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
  2. A context menu will appear.
    • Newer versions of Windows 10 will have it towards the bottom-left of the menu. Older versions will have it at the top-left along with your username.
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  3. You'll be logged out of your Windows account.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using the Power User Menu

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  1. Press the ⊞ Win + X keys together. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/user-account-access-in-windows-8f1f3c05-e479-4e9a-666b-90091d052aaf
    • Alternatively, right-click the Startbutton. Touchscreen device users can hold down and release.
    • Before you start : Save any unsaved work in open apps. Signing out will close open apps, and any unsaved work since your last save opportunity will be discarded and most likely lost.
    • This method will work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
  2. This option is located second from the bottom. Choosing this will prompt a submenu to appear to the right of the main context menu.
    • You can also press the U keyboard key.
  3. Pressing the I (letter i) keyboard key will perform the same action as clicking Restart .
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using Alt + F4 Shortcut

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  1. You can use the keyboard shortcut Win + D or quickly show your desktop or close all currently opened programs.
    • Before you start : Save any unsaved work in open apps. Signing out will close open apps, and any unsaved work since your last save opportunity will be discarded and most likely lost.
    • This method will work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
  2. Press Alt + F4 together. [2]
    • Pressing the keys together while an app is displayed will cause the window to close.
  3. It's right below the "What do you want the computer to do?" line of text.
  5. This will confirm that you want to sign out.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using Ctrl + Alt + Del Shortcut

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  1. This allows you to access the Windows Security Screen. A blue screen containing many different links and icons should appear.
    • Before you start : Save any unsaved work in open apps. Signing out will close open apps, and any unsaved work since your last save opportunity will be discarded and most likely lost.
    • This method will work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
  2. You'll be signed out of Windows.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Will signing out erase my entire hard drive?
    Christopher
    Top Answerer
    No. "Signing out" is just the term for logging out or going out of one account so you can go into another account.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/open-the-start-menu-4ed57ad7-ed1f-3cc9-c9e4-f329822f5aeb
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/close-an-app-in-windows-6a212da5-6f26-2252-c72d-98544e606e9a

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