Cannot see a switch user in Windows 8

I use Windows 8 Home edition and I do not find the "Switch User" account that people seem to be seeing as shown in

http://windows.microsoft.com/is-is/windows-8/user-accounts-frequently-asked-questions

Infact when I press the window key and click on the icon against my username I only see the Lock Screen/Sign out

How can I get this to work?

Solution 1:

Recent software installation might have hidden the Switch User button on the lock screen. You can re-enable it by using either of the following methods:

Method 1: Registry edit

1. Open run command and type regedit.

2. Navigate to the following:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

3. Modify the registry value of HideFastUserSwitching from 1 to 0. A value of 0 disables this setting, which allows Windows to display the Switch User button on the lock screen and in menus (e.g., where you sign out, shut down, etc.).

4. Log off and restart the machine.

Method 2: Group policy fix (not available in Home edition of Windows 8)

1. Open run command and type gpedit.msc

2. Navigate to the following location

   Local Computer Policy/Computer Configuration/AdministrativeTemplates/System/Logon

3. Double-click Hide Entry Points for Fast User Switching to bring up a dialog box to change policy setting.

4. Choose Disabled in the popup box. This will allow Windows to display the Switch User button on the lock screen and in menus (e.g., where you sign out, shut down, etc.).

5. Close the group policy editor, open run command and type gpupdate /force to have the change take effect.