Vista - Lock and Switch User - Add or Remove

**Brink** · **OPTION ONE:**

How to Add or Remove Lock and Switch User from the Start Menu in Vista

Information

This will show you how to add or remove Lock and Switch User from the Start Menu for all user accounts on the computer.

Tip

If you only wanted to add or remove Switch User, then see: How to Add or Remove Switch User from the Start Menu in Vista

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE: Before (Add) and After (Remove) Switch User and Lock

OPTION ONE:
Through a Download

1. To Remove Lock and Switch User -
A) Click on the download button below to download the
Remove_Lock_Start_Menu.reg file.

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Add Lock and Switch User -
A) Click on the download button below to download the
Add_Lock_Start_Menu.reg file.

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

4. Right click the .reg (On Desktop) file and click on Merge.

5. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.

6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

7. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply the changes.

8. When done, you can delete the .reg file (On Desktop).

OPTION TWO:
The Manual Way

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

3. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.

4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 5C)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
NOTE: If you do not have System, then right click on Polices and click on New and Key, then type System and press Enter.

5. To Remove Lock and Switch User -
A) In the right pane of the System key, right click on a empty area and click on New and click DWORD (32 bit) Value.

B) Type DisableLockWorkstation and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

C) Right click on DisableLockWorkstation and click on Modify. (See screenshot below)

D) Type 1 and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

6. To Add Switch User -
A) Right click on DisableLockWorkstation and click Delete. (See screenshot below step 5C)

B) Click on Yes to confirm the delete.

7. Close regedit.

8. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply the changes.

That's it,
Shawn

**Zhizara** · 11-28-2008

The screen originally showed a sort of button with my user picture with my name below it and with the word "locked" beneath. Below that "button" was another button saying "Guest" and "switch user" below the word "guest".

Now the Guest button is gone, but my "button" is still there and still says "locked". All I have to do is hit enter or click on the button and go about my business, it's just annoying that I can't get it to do what I want. I guess I'll just have to live with it.

The screen is a Vista background, and the only other thing on the page beside the two (now one) button is a accessibility wheelchair logo in the bottom left corner. When I press that it just takes me to the accessibility portion of Control Panel.

I do not have lock on my start menu, nor switch user, I'm not positive, but I really don't think they were ever there.

I'm the only person who uses my computer, so I don't have a password nor do I ever plan to. I just don't put sensitive information on the computer.

I do appreciate your trying to help and thanks for taking the time.

Sally

**Brink** · 11-28-2008

Ok Sally. I understand what you mean now. The other posts were removed to keep this on track.

You are talking about at the log on screen for when you click on Lock or Switch User in the Start Menu. This is completely different than what this tutorial is for. This tutorial only adds or removed the Lock or Switch User from only the Start Menu as in the example screenshot at the top of the tutorial.

Anytime you click on Lock from the Start Menu, Lock will always appear under you (user name) icon on the log on screen until you logon again.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**Zhizara** · 11-28-2008

Lock is not on my start menu. To the right of the power button is an arrow which, when clicked offers me Log Off, Restart, Sleep, Hibernate and Shut Down.

I never had this screen before I recently did a system restore back to the factory level. This computer was still in the box when I got it and I made the backup right away as directed in the instructions.

I just want to get it to go away. It seems ridiculous that it only does itunder those circumstances. I'm not even sure whether it's hibernating or sleeping, but that's the only time the screen comes up. Unfortunately, I just close the laptop when I go to bed so I get it every day, sometimes several times a day since I often close it when I got out or just let it turn itself off naturally (I think 20 minutes).

If I can unlock my user account do you think the screen will go away?

**Brink** · 11-28-2008

This sounds like the OEM has customized Vista a bit for their brand.

See if disabling the password on resume option in this tutorial can help some with this since you do not have a password anyway. Be sure to disable the password option for the Screen Saver as well.

If not, as a test, create a password for your account. You can always remove the password if it does not help any.

**Zhizara** · 11-28-2008

Bingo. In the Power Options, I found Choose what closing the lid does. It had require password on resume checked. I checked the other box and saved it.

Thanks so much!!

Sally

**Brink** · 11-28-2008

You're welcome Sally. That's is great news. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted out.

Shawn

popcornUoT · 02-27-2009

Is there a way we can disable only the Lock, and keep the Switch User?
Popcorn

**Brink** · 02-28-2009

Hello Popcorn, and welcome to Vista Forums.

This may help instead.

Lock Computer - Enable or Disable

Shawn

popcornUoT · 03-01-2009

I already read that post before. But after a second look at it, I have come up with an idea. I can disable both the Lock and Switch User options from the Start Menu while keep the Switch User in the Windows Security screen.

Thanks for your reply and, also, your welcome.

PK

11-28-2008
Zhizara Vista Home Premium 32 bit Operating System 7 posts	Re: Lock and Switch User - Add or Remove The screen originally showed a sort of button with my user picture with my name below it and with the word "locked" beneath. Below that "button" was another button saying "Guest" and "switch user" below the word "guest". Now the Guest button is gone, but my "button" is still there and still says "locked". All I have to do is hit enter or click on the button and go about my business, it's just annoying that I can't get it to do what I want. I guess I'll just have to live with it. The screen is a Vista background, and the only other thing on the page beside the two (now one) button is a accessibility wheelchair logo in the bottom left corner. When I press that it just takes me to the accessibility portion of Control Panel. I do not have lock on my start menu, nor switch user, I'm not positive, but I really don't think they were ever there. I'm the only person who uses my computer, so I don't have a password nor do I ever plan to. I just don't put sensitive information on the computer. I do appreciate your trying to help and thanks for taking the time. Sally
My System Specs

11-28-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Lock and Switch User - Add or Remove Ok Sally. I understand what you mean now. The other posts were removed to keep this on track. You are talking about at the log on screen for when you click on Lock or Switch User in the Start Menu. This is completely different than what this tutorial is for. This tutorial only adds or removed the Lock or Switch User from only the Start Menu as in the example screenshot at the top of the tutorial. Anytime you click on Lock from the Start Menu, Lock will always appear under you (user name) icon on the log on screen until you logon again. Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

11-28-2008
Zhizara Vista Home Premium 32 bit Operating System 7 posts	Re: Lock and Switch User - Add or Remove Lock is not on my start menu. To the right of the power button is an arrow which, when clicked offers me Log Off, Restart, Sleep, Hibernate and Shut Down. I never had this screen before I recently did a system restore back to the factory level. This computer was still in the box when I got it and I made the backup right away as directed in the instructions. I just want to get it to go away. It seems ridiculous that it only does itunder those circumstances. I'm not even sure whether it's hibernating or sleeping, but that's the only time the screen comes up. Unfortunately, I just close the laptop when I go to bed so I get it every day, sometimes several times a day since I often close it when I got out or just let it turn itself off naturally (I think 20 minutes). If I can unlock my user account do you think the screen will go away?
My System Specs

11-28-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Lock and Switch User - Add or Remove This sounds like the OEM has customized Vista a bit for their brand. See if disabling the password on resume option in this tutorial can help some with this since you do not have a password anyway. Be sure to disable the password option for the Screen Saver as well. If not, as a test, create a password for your account. You can always remove the password if it does not help any.
My System Specs

11-28-2008
Zhizara Vista Home Premium 32 bit Operating System 7 posts	Re: Lock and Switch User - Add or Remove Bingo. In the Power Options, I found Choose what closing the lid does. It had require password on resume checked. I checked the other box and saved it. Thanks so much!! Sally
My System Specs

02-27-2009
popcornUoT Vista Home Premium 32bit 2 posts	Re: Lock and Switch User - Add or Remove Is there a way we can disable only the Lock, and keep the Switch User? Popcorn
My System Specs

02-28-2009
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Lock and Switch User - Add or Remove Hello Popcorn, and welcome to Vista Forums. This may help instead. Lock Computer - Enable or Disable Shawn
My System Specs

03-01-2009
popcornUoT Vista Home Premium 32bit 2 posts	Re: Lock and Switch User - Add or Remove I already read that post before. But after a second look at it, I have come up with an idea. I can disable both the Lock and Switch User options from the Start Menu while keep the Switch User in the Windows Security screen. Thanks for your reply and, also, your welcome. PK
My System Specs

Similar Threads
Tutorial	Category
Remove lock-up screen	Vista General
switch user	Vista General
User Accounts, Switch User, Hibernate, Sleep, Restart	Vista account administration
One user but Switch User at Welcome Screen upon waking from sleep	Vista account administration
Switch User	Vista General