How to sign out other users on Windows 10

How-to
By Mauro Huculak
last updated

If you need to sign off other users on Windows 10, in this guide, we'll show you two quick ways to complete this task without the need to leave your current session.

Windows 10 sign out other users options
Windows 10 sign out other users options (Image credit: Windows Central)

On Windows 10, the ability for each user to have their own account is a convenient way to keep settings and files separate for a more personal experience. However, if someone doesn't remember to sign out, their account will continue to run apps, services, and other processes, which can end up consuming significant system resources that can negatively affect the performance for the user actively using the device.

If you share a device with multiple people, and someone forgets to log-off, Windows 10 includes at least two ways to terminate the inactive session without you having to leave your account using Task Manager and Command Prompt.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to log off inactive users from your computer.

How to sign off other users using Task Manager

To sign off inactive users with Task Manager, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Task Manager and select the top result to open the tool.Quick tip: You can also use the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keyboard shortcut to open Task Manager.
  3. Click the Users tab.
  4. Right-click the user and select the Sign off option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Sign out user button.

Once you complete the steps, the user session will be terminated.

How to sign off other users using Command Prompt

To sign out other users with Command Prompt, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
  3. Type the following command to view all current users signed in to Windows 10 and press Enter:query session

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Confirm the ID number for the account you want to sign off.
  2. Type the following command to sign out the other user and press Enter:logoff ID-NUMBERIn the command, remember to replace "ID-NUMBER" for the number of the account that you want to sign out.This example signs off the demo user account with the ID of 5:logoff 5

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

After you complete the steps, Windows 10 will sign out the user regardless if there is any running application.

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.