Fast User Switching - Windows Implementation

Windows Implementation

Fast user switching in Windows is based on Remote Desktop Services technology. In Windows XP, GINA which is a component of Winlogon, and with which fast user switching interacts, can be programmatically called to automate a fast user switch. A Powertoy known as Super fast user switcher was offered in 2002 by Microsoft. It allowed fast user switching using a keyboard hotkey (Win+Q) (similar to Alt-Tab) without even going to the Welcome screen. It was later made unavailable when the original set of powertoys was replaced by updated versions but still works with Windows XP SP3 (32-bit) when running as administrator.

In Windows Vista, GINA is replaced by Credential Providers, however they do not support programmatic initiation of fast user switching.

In Windows XP, fast user switching was unavailable if the computer is on a Windows Server domain network or if Offline Files was enabled. Windows Vista and later no longer have these restrictions.