[FIX] Can’t Switch Users In Windows 8.1

In Windows 8, recently we’ve come around a weird issue faced on switching users. One of my reader reported that he is booting his Windows 8 with multiple

Kapil Arya
WINDOWS EXPERT
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In Windows 8, recently we’ve come around a weird issue faced on switching users. One of my reader reported that he is booting his Windows 8 with multiple users. But he is unable to switch users right now, because he can’t find out the option to switch at Start Screen. Also he is unable to get switching options at login screen as well.

So how to fix this issue, how to make the second user visible in the infected sections so that we can switch to it? Well, here are the solutions which would worked fine to fix this problem:

FIX : Can’t Switch Users In Windows 8

If you could, try to make the system restore to the restore point created before you have introduced to this issue. Restoring system just work fine in this case.

Alternatively you can try to run SFC /SCANNOW command in the elevated command prompt. If both of these not works try to refer other solutions listed below:

FIX : Using Registry Editor

1. Press Windows Key + R and put regedit in Run dialog box to open Registry Editor (if you’re not familiar with Registry Editor, then click here). Click OK.

2. Navigate here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

3. In the right pane, make the HideFastUserSwitching DWORD value equals to zero if it is not. To do that, double click on it, you get this:

4. Put the Value data equals to 0. Do this to same DWORD for following locations as well:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Close the Registry Editor and reboot to get results.

Using Local Group Policy Editor

1. Press Windows Key + R and put gpedit.msc in Run dialog box. Click OK.

2. Navigate here:

Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Logon

3. In the right pane, click on policy Hide entry points for Fast User Switching. You will get this window:

4. To fix your issue, set this setting to Not configured or Disabled. Not configured is default setting and it should be restored. Click Apply followed by OK. Reboot hopefully to get fixed.

That’s it!

Kapil Arya
WINDOWS EXPERT

Kapil holds Microsoft MVP title in Windows IT Pro expertise, 11-times in a row (2014-2025). He is 8-times Windows Insider MVP as well, and author of 'Windows Group Policy Troubleshooting' book. In 2015, Microsoft India accomplished him as 'Windows 10 Champion'. Being passionate Windows blogger, he loves to help others on fixing their system issues. Kapil has worked with official Microsoft Community Engagement Team (CET) on several community projects. You can subscribe him for news/updates and fixes for Windows.