How to Log Off Other Users on Windows 11

Whether you’re administering a multi-user system or you’ve just noticed that someone else has left their account logged in on your PC, there are times when you might need to log off other users on a Windows 11 machine. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to achieve that.

Why Log Off Other Users?

Before diving into the process, it’s essential to understand why one might need to log off other users:

1. Performance Reasons: Multiple logged-in users can consume system resources, slowing down the PC.
2. Security Concerns: Leaving accounts logged in, especially those with administrative privileges, poses a potential security risk.
3. Software Conflicts: Some applications might malfunction or refuse to run if another instance is already running on a different user account.

Steps to Log Off Other Users in Windows 11:

Using Task Manager

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager” or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open it.
2. Navigate to the “Users” tab. Here you will see a list of all currently logged-in users and their resource usage.
3. To log off a user, right-click on their name and select “Log Off.” Confirm the action if prompted.

Using Command Prompt

1. Open Command Prompt with administrative rights. You can do this by typing cmd in the Windows search bar, right-clicking on “Command Prompt,” and selecting “Run as administrator.”
2. Type in the following command to view the list of logged-in users: query user
3. Note the ID of the user you wish to log off.
4. To log off a specific user, type: logoff [ID] (Replace [ID] with the actual ID number of the user.) For example, if the ID is 3, the command would be logoff 3.

Using PowerShell

1. Open Windows PowerShell with administrative privileges.
2. Use the following command to get a list of logged-in users:
   Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_ComputerSystem | Select-Object UserName
3. To log off a user, you can use:
   shutdown /l /f /t 0

However, note that the PowerShell method will log off the current user as well. Ensure you’ve saved all your work before using this method.

Important Considerations:

• Data Loss: Logging off a user will close all their running applications, which might result in unsaved data loss. Always ensure that important work is saved or communicate with the respective user before logging them off.
• Permissions: You typically need to have administrative rights to log off other users. If you’re trying to perform this action on a shared or company computer, ensure you have the necessary permissions.

In conclusion, Windows 11, much like its predecessors, offers multiple ways to manage user sessions. Whether for security, system performance, or software management, knowing how to log off other users can be a valuable tool in your Windows toolkit.