Switch User Desktop Shortcut

INFO: 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.

ALTERNATIVE: If you have the Vista Home Basic and Home Premium editions that do not support this, then an alternative is to create a Lock Computer shortcut instead and click on the Switch User button after clicking on the shortcut. For how, see: How to Create a Lock Computer Shortcut in Vista

CREDIT TO: Ronnie Vernon MVP

RELATED LINKS:
1. How to Create a Hibernate Shortcut in Vista

2. How to Create a Log Off Shortcut in Vista

3. How to Create a Shutdown Computer Shortcut in Vista

4. How to Shutdown, Restart, Switch User, Log Off, Sleep, or Lock Vista from the Keyboard

5. How to Disable or Enable Fast User Switching in Vista

6. How to Create a Restart Computer Shortcut in Vista

7. How to Create a Abort Shortcut in Vista

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

9. How to Create a Search Desktop Shortcut on Vista

10. How to Create a Lock Computer Shortcut in Vista

11. How to Log Off a Local User in Vista

12. How to Create a Power Options Shortcut in Vista

13. How to Restore the Administrative Tools Shortcuts in Vista


EXAMPLE: Default Switch User Location in the Start Menu

Default.jpg


METHOD ONE:
Download the Shortcut:
1. Click Switch_User.zip below to download it.
2. Click Save and save it to the Desktop.

Switch_User.zip < Click To Download

3. Right click on Switch_User.zip (On desktop) and click Open.
4. Click Allow for UAC prompt.
5. Extract the Switch User shortcut to the desktop.
6. Move the shortcut to where you like to use it at.
7. When done, you can delete the Switch_User.zip file.


METHOD TWO:
The Manual Way:
1. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\tsdiscon.exe. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: The Vista Home Basic and Home Premium editions do not have this file. It is a part of Terminal Services.

2. Right click on tsdiscon.exe and click Send To, then Desktop (create shortcut).
3. Close Windows Explorer windows.

tsdiscon.jpg

4. Right click on the new shortcut on the desktop and click Rename.
5. Type Switch User and press Enter.
NOTE: You can name the shortcut anything you like.

6. Right click on the Switch User shortcut on the desktop and click Properties.
7. Click on the Shortcut tab, then click on the Change Icon button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: For more on how to change a shortcut folder or file icon, see: How to Change a Shortcut Folder or File Icon in Vista

Properties.jpg

8. Click OK. (See screenshot below)

OK.jpg

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 OK.

Change_Icon.jpg

11. Click OK. (See screenshot below step 7)
12. You will now have a Switch User shortcut that looks like this. (See screenshot below)

Icon.jpg


That's it,
Shawn