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 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

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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rescuer;441636 Wrote:

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
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rescuer;441636 Wrote:

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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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
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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;3137495 Wrote:

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!

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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rescuer;442768 Wrote:

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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Rescuer,
LOL, I know what you mean. I get those days myself sometimes. (haha) It did require me to logoff and logon again for it to take affect, but it worked.
Thank you, Shawn
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