Switch User - Add to Desktop Context Menu in Windows 8

How to Add "Switch User" to Desktop Context Menu in Windows 8 and 8.1

information   Information
Switch User (Fast User Switching) is a feature in Windows that allows you to be able to switch from the current user account that you are signed in to be signed in to another user account instead without having to close any programs and files or sign out of the current user account, and then be able to switch back right where you left off at.

This will show you how to add or remove Switch User to the desktop context menu of all users in Windows 8.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.


EXAMPLE: Switch User in Desktop Context Menu
Desktop_Context_Menu.jpg



Here's How:

1. To Add "Switch User" to the Desktop Context Menu
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.​
Add_Switch_User_to_Desktop_Context_Menu.reg
download
B) Go to step 3.​

2. To Remove "Switch User" from the Desktop Context Menu
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.​
Remove_Switch_User_from_Desktop_Context_Menu.reg
download
B) Go to step 3.​

3. Save the REG file to the desktop.

4. Double click/tap on the REG file to merge it, and click on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK when prompted to approve the merge.

5. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

6. Right click or press and hold on your desktop to see the change.
NOTE: You can press the Windows + D key to go to the desktop.

Note   Note
The Switch User option will only work in the Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise editions by default.

If you have the Windows 8 edition, then you will need to also do this below for the Switch User option to work.
  • Click on the Download button below to download the tsdiscon.zip file.
  • Save the tsdiscon.zip file to your desktop.
  • Open the tsdiscon.zip file, and extract (drag and drop) the tsdiscon.exe file to your desktop.
  • Unblock the extracted tsdiscon.exe file.
  • Move the tsdiscon.exe file into the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
  • If prompted, click/tap on Continue and Yes (UAC) to approve.
download




That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • Remove_Switch_User_from_Desktop_Context_Menu.reg
    544 bytes · Views: 1,344
  • Add_Switch_User_to_Desktop_Context_Menu.reg
    808 bytes · Views: 2,889
  • tsdiscon.zip
    11.9 KB · Views: 999
  • Switch_User.png
    Switch_User.png
    8.9 KB · Views: 270
Last edited:
Win8 Build 8400

Unfortunately, this does not work, with or without UAC on.
It does not add the @="%windir%\System32\tsdiscon.exe" to the key
and when added manually, says you do not have rights to run it.

Still testing
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
Hello Tepid,

I have updated the Add_Switch_User_to_Desktop_Context_Menu.reg download. Please give it a try and see how that works for you now. It should work now. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Yeah, that works. thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
Perfect. You're welcome. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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