Multiple users can log on to a Windows system, locally on console via fast user switching or remotely via Remote Desktop Connection.

When there are more than one users connected locally to a Windows PC, administrator can easily log off and logout another user using the Task Manager, without unlocking the user account beforehand.

How to Sign Out Another User in Windows

Note
You must sign in with an administrator account (user account belongs to Administrators group) in order to sign off other users.
  1. Open Task Manager (right click on Taskbar and select Task Manager, or press the Ctrl + Shirt + Esc keyboard shortcut, or search for TaskMgr).
  2. In Windows OS version before Windows 10 (such as Windows Vista and Windows 10), go to Processes tab. Then click on Show processes from all users in order to elevate the Task Manager with administrative privileges. Click Yes or Continue if prompted by UAC.

    Show Processes from All Users

    Note
    If you encounter the following error when you try to log off an user, it means the Task Manager does not have enough privileges thus you must perform this step.

    User user_name (Sesion Id=2) could not be logged off.
    Access is Denied.

    User Could NOt Be Logged Off

  3. Go to the Users tab.
    Note
    The Users tab is not available on computers that are joined to a AD domain.
  4. Right click on the user that you want to log off, and select Log Off

    Log Off Another User in Windows

    Note
    Log Off option is not available for network connected users.
  5. When prompted, click or tap on Log off user button to confirm.

    Confirm Force Sign Out User

  6. Once logged off, the user account is no longer listed in Task Manager.