Vista - Disable Fast User Switching

I've looked around several places in the control panel, and on this forum,
and still haven't been able to figure out how to disable the fast user
switching feature in Vista. In XP, this was an option in the User Accounts
control panel, but it's not there in Vista, or anywhere else I can think of.
The help files say that it's turned on by default, but not how to disable
it. Has anyone else figured this out?

I'm fairly certain it can be done via the GPO (Group Policy Object.) The GPO
can be modified using the Local Security Policy link under Admin Tools. I
don't have Vista booted atm, so can't confirm this, but I'm fairly certain
that it's an option.

"Kevin Arthur" wrote:

> I've looked around several places in the control panel, and on this forum,
> and still haven't been able to figure out how to disable the fast user
> switching feature in Vista. In XP, this was an option in the User Accounts
> control panel, but it's not there in Vista, or anywhere else I can think of.
> The help files say that it's turned on by default, but not how to disable
> it. Has anyone else figured this out?
>

RossB <RossB@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> I'm fairly certain it can be done via the GPO (Group Policy Object.) The GPO
> can be modified using the Local Security Policy link under Admin Tools. I
> don't have Vista booted atm, so can't confirm this, but I'm fairly certain
> that it's an option.
>
> "Kevin Arthur" wrote:
>
> > I've looked around several places in the control panel, and on this forum,
> > and still haven't been able to figure out how to disable the fast user
> > switching feature in Vista. In XP, this was an option in the User Accounts
> > control panel, but it's not there in Vista, or anywhere else I can think of.
> > The help files say that it's turned on by default, but not how to disable
> > it. Has anyone else figured this out?

Yes, "Hide entry points for Fast User Switching". gpedit.msc, Local
Computer Policy, Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates,
System, Logon.

Alan Adams

it's deep down in gpo.

local computer policy
administrative templates
system
logon
Hide entry points for fast user switching
Always use classic logon

this should do the trick, although i havn't tried it yet.

______________________
drahnier


"Kevin Arthur" wrote:

> I've looked around several places in the control panel, and on this forum,
> and still haven't been able to figure out how to disable the fast user
> switching feature in Vista. In XP, this was an option in the User Accounts
> control panel, but it's not there in Vista, or anywhere else I can think of.
> The help files say that it's turned on by default, but not how to disable
> it. Has anyone else figured this out?
>

I'm not sure if your referring to the actual fast user switching, or
disabling the log on user interface when you log in that would do away
with the icons on the log on screen and force you to type in a username
and password. I will address both.

For the log on screen user interface:

To disable the standard log on interface and force the user to have to
use a username and password (the same as XP did when you could 'Disable
fast user switching), You must do a simple edit of the registry.

Open regedit and go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Look for the Dword 32 bit value "dontdisplaylastusername"
Open that value and change the 'value data' to 1

Exit the registry editor and your done! You should see no more icons
on the user interface log on screen.

For disabling the actual 'fast user switching' that allows you to log
onto another account without actually logging off the account your
using, and hiding the 'Switch User' menu option:

In the registry under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Create a Dword 32 bit value with the valuename
"DisableFastUserSwitching"

Set its 'value data' to 1

Again, close the registry editor, and you're done.

REMEMBER USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN EDITING THE REGISTRY!!


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The HKEY location should be:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersi on\Policies\System

Ooops

Shawn

Hi Rescuer,

I was able to get the Username and Password one to work, but the disable "Switch User" one did not work. Any ideas. I used the 64 bit Home Premium verision. Tech talk is ok, I am not a newbie.

Thank You,
Shawn

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersi
on\Policies\System

is the key you are looking for. I misprinted it in my earlier reply.

Add the 32bit key DisableFastUserSwitching IF IT IS NOT ALREADY THERE

Change its value data to 1

This will cause the "Switch User" menu choice on your log off restart
ect. options to disapear.

This has worked on every Vista computer I have tried it on, Including
your home Premium.

Good luck!


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Rescuer,

Thank you for responding. I have tried this, and the "Switch User" is still in the Start Menu shutdown options. I am using the 64 bit Vista Home Premium. Would this work on a 64 bit vs 32 bit Vista?

Thank You,
Shawn

rescuer;3137495 Wrote:Sorry folks... my brains just not working..

THE 32 BIT KEY YOU NEED TO CREATE is "HideFastUserSwitching" NOT the
disablefastuserswitching as I noted before.


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