Skip to main content

Create a shortcut to switch users

Posted May 2008 by Steve Sinchak

Fast user switching has been a very useful feature of Windows for multi-user computers.  Dating back to Windows XP, fast user switching allows multiple users to be logged into a computer at once.  This is very useful if a user is in the middle of work but another needs to use the computer shortly.  Fast user switching will allow the other user to log in while still retaining the other users session.  Once the other user is finished the session can be switched back to the original user.

Creating a shortcut to switch the active user is as easy as creating a shortcut to c:\windows\system32\tsdiscon.exe

  1. Right click where you want the shortcut to be created and select New and then Shortcut.
  2. Copy and paste “c:\windows\system32\tsdiscon.exe” into the location box and hit Next.
  3. Give it a name and hit Finish.

Related Posts


If you own a Google Chromecast streaming device, you can easily share a browser tab in Chrome browser or even your entire desktop.  This can be very useful when presenting from your laptop or if you just want to watch something on a big screen that is only on your PC.  The only requirement is you must be on the same network as your Chromecast...

Read More

If you are a fan of minimalist desktop experiences, hiding the desktop icons are an easy way to clean up the Windows interface.  Instead of saving everything to your desktop, use the default profile folders such as downloads and documents.  Actually hiding all the icons on your desktop is a very simple customization hidden in the right-click context menu.  Just right-click on the desktop, select View...

Read More

Google security researchers have published details about a major security flaw found in the SSL protocol that is used to encrypt data transferred between your browser and a web server. SSL is typically used in situations where logon credentials are validated...

Read More

Enabling two-factor authentication is a great way to add an additional level of protection to your Microsoft account.  Even if your password is stolen, your account is still protected because two-factor authetication requires an additional level of verification to log in. Microsoft calls their version of two-factor authentication "two-step verification" and it works by providing you with a random code...

Read More