How to Sign Out of Windows 10

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4 incredibly easy ways to 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 does not shut down your computer and lets you sign in to another user account. Scroll down to the first step to get started.

  • 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.

How to Log off Your PC

Click the Start menu, select your user profile icon, and then choose "Sign Out." Alternatively, the "Alt + F4" and "Ctrl + Alt + Del" keyboard shortcuts also provide quick sign-out option. .

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Start Menu

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    Click the Start
    Windows Start
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    button located at the bottom-left of the screen.
    • Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win keyboard key.
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    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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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Power User Menu

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    Press the ⊞ Win + X keys together. [1]
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    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.
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    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:

Alt + F4 Shortcut

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    Press ⊞ Win + D simultaneously. There are other different ways of doing this:
    • Close all open apps . Use the ✕ button.
    • Clicking the very bottom-right of the screen, on the taskbar.
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    Press Alt + F4 together.
    • Pressing the keys together while an app is displayed will cause the window to close.
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    It's right below the "What do you want the computer do do?" line of text.
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    Press OK or hit ↵ Enter .
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Ctrl + Alt + Del Shortcut

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    Press the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys together. A blue screen containing many different links and icons should appear.
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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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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