[FIX] ‘Someone Else Is Still Using This PC’ In Windows 10

In this article, learn how to fix 'Someone else is still using this PC. If you restart/shut down now, they could lose unsaved work' message in Windows 10.

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin
2 min read
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This article talks about a strange issue we came around recently. In this scenario, we booted Windows 10 and signed into a standard user account. Then we opt for restarting the machine. After restart, we signed in administrative user account. Now if we opt for restart or shut down, following messages will display.

While opting for restart:

Someone else is still using this PC. If you restart now, they could lose unsaved work.

FIX Someone Else Is Still Using This PC In Windows 10

Similarly, while opting for shut down:

Someone else is still using this PC. If you shut down now, they could lose unsaved work.

Or at login screen:

If you shut down now, you and any other people using this PC could lose unsaved work.

FIX Someone Else Is Still Using This PC In Windows 10

This clearly shows that last user remains signed-in after restart or shutdown. Most of users are treating this a bug. If its a bug, we can hope for a fix from Microsoft in upcoming upgrades. But if you’re facing this issue right now, how to fix it?

Well, a simple workaround for this problem is that whatever user account you’re logged in to, you need to first sign out, before you opt for restart/shut down. Following this, Windows will not let any user account remained signed in and thus you can easily restart/shut down without any warning message. Another solution for this issue is mentioned below. Do try it and see if it works for you.

FIX: ‘Someone Else Is Still Using This PC’ In Windows 10

1. Right click Start Button or press W8K + X keys and select Settings.

2. In the Settings app, navigate to Accounts > Sign-in options.

FIX Someone Else Is Still Using This PC In Windows 10

3. On the Sign-in options screen, scroll down and under Privacy section, turn Off the Use my sign in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update or restart option. Close Settings app.

4. Perform steps 1-3 for each of the user account you’ve on system and then finally restart the machine, check if the issue is resolved then.

See this video for more information:

Hope this helps you!

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Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin

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.

Judder

Many thanks – my Dad had this problem and I sent him your link and he says it’s now fixed :-)

Kapil Arya Author

^^ Glad it helped 😊

Lina

I’m also experiencing the same issue. I’m worried that someone in fact used my PC, and he’s able to monitor everything I do. Is there a way to detect something like this for a fact? Or is it guesswork?

Kapil Arya Author

^^ Steps mentioned in this article should resolve it. But in case if you still suspect, try performing clean boot: https://www.kapilarya.com/how-to-perform-clean-boot-in-windows-10.

Hasan

Thanks, very help

Kapil Arya Author

^^ Glad I could help!

dkrajac

Very nice, but can you advice us how to switch the Sign_in_options/Privacy/Use_my_sign-in_info… for all users at once, so that Windows 10 does it for all users simultaneously. This can be useful if there are a lot of users on the same PC.
Can this be done by issuing some PowerShell command, or setting something in the registry?
That would be helpful.
Regards.

Kapil Arya Author

^^ For all users, create DisableAutomaticRestartSignOn DWORD at registry location, use 0 for enable and 1 for disable:

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

Thanks! I have 2 user accounts in this same PC… This tip was very helpfull!!

Kapil Arya Author

^^ Glad to help Rodrigo 😎

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