Vista - Switch User Desktop Shortcut

**Brink** · **METHOD ONE:**

How to Create a Switch User Desktop Shortcut in Vista

Information

This will show you how to create or download a Switch User shortcut that you can place anywhere you like for easy use. For example, the desktop. The shortcut will take you to the Switch User logon screen where you can select a user account that you would like to logon to.

NOTE

Fast User Switching or Switch User is a feature in Windows that allows you to switch to a different user account on your computer without having to close any programs and files first in the user account that you are currently logged on to, and then be able to switch right back where you left off. This makes it easier to share a computer with others.

Tip

The Vista Home Basic and Home Premium editions do not support this shortcut since they do not have the C:\Windows\System32\tsdiscon.exe file. It is a part of Terminal Services. An alternative for these editions is to create a Lock Computer shortcut instead and click on the Switch User button after clicking on the Lock Computer shortcut.

CREDIT TO: Ronnie Vernon MVP

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE: Default Switch User Location in the Start Menu

METHOD ONE:
Download the Shortcut

1. Click on the download button below to download the Switch_User.zip file.

2. Click Save and save it to the Desktop.

3. Right click on Switch_User.zip (On desktop) and click on Open.

4. Click on Allow in the UAC prompt.

5. Extract the Switch User shortcut to the desktop.

6. Move the Switch User shortcut (on desktop) to where you like to use it at.
NOTE: If you would like to assign a keyboard shortcut to this shortcut, then see How to Create a Keyboard Shortcut for a Program in Vista.

7. When done, you can delete the Switch_User.zip file.

METHOD TWO:
The Manual Way

1. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\tsdiscon.exe in a Windows Explorer window. (See screenshot below)

2. Right click on tsdiscon.exe and click on Send To, then Desktop (create shortcut).

3. Close the Windows Explorer windows.

4. Right click on the new shortcut on the desktop and click on Rename.

5. Type Switch User and press Enter.
NOTE: You can name the shortcut anything you like though.

6. Right click on the Switch User shortcut on the desktop and click on Properties.

7. Click on the Shortcut tab, then click on the Change Icon button. (See screenshot below)

8. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)

9. Click on Browse and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll. (See screenshot below)

10. Select the icon highlight in blue below and click on OK.

11. Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 7)

12. You will now have a Switch User shortcut that looks like this. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you would like to assign a keyboard shortcut to this shortcut, then see How to Create a Keyboard Shortcut for a Program in Vista.

That's it,
Shawn

vista123 · 07-20-2008

I chose Method Two, number 3, "Add Switch User for All Users. I have Vista Home Premium.

I completed the steps and restarted the computer to apply the "changes".

What changes am I looking for? Should there be an icon on the desktop?

Thank You,
Hal Donnelly

**Brink** · 07-20-2008

Hello Hal, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Did you mean from this tutorial below instead?

Fast User Switching

If you did, then it will add Switch User back if it was disabled or removed before. See the example screenshot at the top of this page. If you did not remove it before, then it will make no difference.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

07-20-2008
vista123 home premium 1 posts	Re: Switch User Desktop Shortcut I chose Method Two, number 3, "Add Switch User for All Users. I have Vista Home Premium. I completed the steps and restarted the computer to apply the "changes". What changes am I looking for? Should there be an icon on the desktop? Thank You, Hal Donnelly
My System Specs

07-20-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Switch User Desktop Shortcut Hello Hal, and welcome to Vista Forums. Did you mean from this tutorial below instead? Fast User Switching If you did, then it will add Switch User back if it was disabled or removed before. See the example screenshot at the top of this page. If you did not remove it before, then it will make no difference. Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

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