How to sign out other users on Windows 10

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Yes, if you're logged in to your account, you can quickly sign out other users, and here's how on Windows 10.

Windows 10 sign out other users options
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
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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 consume significant system resources and negatively affect the performance of 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 leaving your account using Task Manager and Command Prompt.

In this how-to guide, I'll explain how to log inactive users off your computer.

How to sign off other users from 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.
  1. Click the Users tab.
  2. Right-click the user and select the Sign off option.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
  1. Click the "Sign out user" button.

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

How to sign off other users from 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
  4. Confirm the ID number for the account you want to sign off.
  5. Type the following command to sign out the other user and press Enter: logoff ID-NUMBER

In the command, remember to replace "ID-NUMBER" with 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 2

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

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

More resources

For more in-depth insights, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10, be sure to explore these resources:

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.