Windows 8 / Server 2012 Tip of the Day: Logging Off (and Switching User)

I don't know why, but I keep forgetting how to log off of Windows 8 / Server 2012 systems.  To do so, go to the Start "screen", click on your user account picture/name in the upper-right hand corner of the screen, and select "Sign out".  Or you can ‬select "Switch User" from here.

Rob

Comments

• Anonymous
  September 25, 2012
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• Anonymous
  October 03, 2012
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• Anonymous
  October 24, 2012
  Windows 8/Server 2012 GUI is garbage. There should be 2 versions of this OS, mobile and non-mobile. Keep wanting to touch my non-touchscreen monitor... I like the OS, but the UI is annoying and not very "flow oriented".

• Anonymous
  November 28, 2012
  Just trying out Win Server 2012 and I actually had to google "how to log out windows server 2012", imagine that... or you can open Server manager -> Local Server -> Tasks -> Shut down (then change to Logout instead of shutdown)... haha

• Anonymous
  December 13, 2012
  I too had to Google "How to logout of a Windows 2012 server" Really.

• Anonymous
  December 24, 2012
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• Anonymous
  January 09, 2013
  What I do: Click on Power Shell icon, type "logoff"

• Anonymous
  January 10, 2013
  must learn Powershell ... must learn Powershell .....

• Anonymous
  January 19, 2013
  What a Pain...no wonder nobody I know likes it.

• Anonymous
  February 11, 2013
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• Anonymous
  February 12, 2013
  Confirmed. UI is horribad. Why Microsoft WHY !!!

• Anonymous
  February 14, 2013
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• Anonymous
  February 22, 2013
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• Anonymous
  March 04, 2013
  Create "log me off.bat" on your desktop, edit it and write " shutdown /l ". double click it to logoff.

• Anonymous
  March 11, 2013
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• Anonymous
  March 13, 2013
  This new ui is really HORRIBLE when you have more then one 2012-Server to jump though.. so I like the "Address"-Toolbar in the Taskpane and just enter there a shutdown /l but be carefull not to use shutdown /s /f ;-)

• Anonymous
  March 18, 2013
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• Anonymous
  April 15, 2013
  To log off Server 2012 on the Start menu GUI, click on your name at the top right corner of the screen then click on "Sign Out".  Took me forever to figure out.

• Anonymous
  May 04, 2013
  Why, oh why, did Microsoft make simple things difficult? I manage my servers with remote desktop. In Win2012 it's easier to shutdown than logout. Omg, ouch, yer killin me!

• Anonymous
  May 13, 2013
  I second you guys! But another way to log off (sign out) (also in VM + remote desktop mode): Be sure to be on the desktop and click "alt f4". Possibilities are endless here - you can Disconnect, Signout, Shut down and Restart :D Weeeeeee!

  • Anonymous
    June 19, 2016
    Awesome tip.....thx!

• Anonymous
  May 16, 2013
  The tip at the beginning of this article is great.  But it's so hard to launch the start menu in RDP - The more I use 8/2012 the more I hate it.  What were they thinking????

• Anonymous
  May 21, 2013
  how do I find this "smart menu gui" you keep mentioning?

• Anonymous
  May 23, 2013
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• Anonymous
  May 23, 2013
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• Anonymous
  May 28, 2013
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• Anonymous
  July 15, 2013
  Found this blog, desperately googling to find a way to logoff a 2012 server. Thanks to all the contributors. Thanks for nothing, Microsoft.

• Anonymous
  July 19, 2013
  In a RD session... Ctrl-Alt-End - Logoff

  • Anonymous
    July 22, 2016
    thx

• Anonymous
  July 28, 2013
  Ctrl+Alt+Delete - Brings up log off screen Windows Server 2012 RC2 for standard users.

• Anonymous
  September 11, 2013
  They call Win8/2012 the next Vista... I disagree. With a UI like this, I'll take Vista any day!

• Anonymous
  September 16, 2013
  Not like they care what we think, but this UI is as frustrating to use as it is horrible to look at.

• Anonymous
  September 26, 2013
  What idiots those at Microsoft.... what idiotic UI!

• Anonymous
  October 15, 2013
  Fire the *** that can't leave well-enough alone.

• Anonymous
  October 25, 2013
  what was wrong with  the round Start button that MS have to reinvent the wheel by removing it ??? If I want to touch my screen I would get an Ipad ....uuggghhh stupid MS..

• Anonymous
  October 25, 2013
  click on the powershell shortcut at the bottom and type logoff.......easy.......

• Anonymous
  October 30, 2013
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• Anonymous
  October 30, 2013
  this is ridiculous - a simple task has to be a complicated mystery -

• Anonymous
  November 03, 2013
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• Anonymous
  November 05, 2013
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• Anonymous
  November 10, 2013
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• Anonymous
  November 21, 2013
  It's very frustrating, but probably Ctrl-Alt-End is the easiest way. Logoff or shutdown /l from command prompt not too bad, but overall, I hope that the current interface redesign disappears altogether within a couple of years. Not had such a low point since OS/2 Lan Manager....

• Anonymous
  November 22, 2013
  You must like to be different haha. Thousands of people hate 2008/2012 UI. Its about convenience. New UI =/= convenience.

• Anonymous
  November 28, 2013
  the endless frustration.... just googled how to log of windows server 2012.

• Anonymous
  December 03, 2013
  Me too. I am here because of google too. What a steaming pile of mega-toss the UI is.

• Anonymous
  December 03, 2013
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• Anonymous
  December 12, 2013
  Well, why complecating sign off???????????? Anyways: the old style press on  ALT  +  F4 then when prompted select sign off and OK. Best of Luck!

• Anonymous
  December 13, 2013
  Also had to Google "windows server 2012 how to log off". Can't stand the new GUI in Windows 8 or Server 2012, even restoring the Start button in 8.1/Server 2012 R2 doesn't solve anything. Don't know what was wrong with the Start Menu, its what sold me on Windows 15 years ago and it's still the most effective navigation solution I've seen. In total seriousness, did Microsoft even do ANY usability testing??

• Anonymous
  December 18, 2013
  @@@ HERE THE BEST ANSWER @@@ Guys Guys ... agree that the new GUI suxxx for some details like that ... BUT AT LEAST DID YOU READ ALAN*S ANSWER ? >>>>To log off Server 2012 on the Start menu GUI, 1)click on your name at the top right corner of the screen

2. then click on "Sign Out".  Took me forever to figure out.

• Anonymous
  December 23, 2013
  g00gler1b1 method that is to use Alt + F4 and then to choose log off option is the best one

• Anonymous
  January 03, 2014
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• Anonymous
  January 16, 2014
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• Anonymous
  January 20, 2014
  The easiest way to logoff is to open powersheel and type "logoff".

• Anonymous
  February 03, 2014
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• Anonymous
  February 06, 2014
  No need for opening a PowerShell window - especially if you use large $profile.

1. Hover to the upper right and get the Windows button there or through RDP use ALT+Home (other terminal applications might have it configured to accept Windows key)
2. Type 'logoff' and press enter. OR
3. Through RDP use ALT+CTRL+END  (other terminal applications might have it configured to accept Windows key)
4. Click signout. OR
5. Hover to the upper right and get the Windows button there or through RDP use ALT+Home (other terminal applications might have it configured to accept Windows key)
6. Right-click your picture in top-right.
7. Click signout. OR BEST ANSWER Remote PowerShell and never deal with GUI.

• Anonymous
  February 19, 2014
  Worst place to put these controls ever. Hard to believe such poor decisions being made. Makes me furious when I cannot find how to log off the dang machine. FURIOUS!

• Anonymous
  February 26, 2014
  googled it too..

• Anonymous
  February 28, 2014
  horrible and even worse when running remote desktop i hope whomever came up with this design at MS has already left the company

• Anonymous
  March 02, 2014
  Thanks for giving me the answer to a question that shouldn't have to be asked! Glad to know I am not the only one...

• Anonymous
  March 03, 2014
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• Anonymous
  March 10, 2014
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• Anonymous
  March 17, 2014
  Terrible UI -thank goodness we help each other & can google things.

• Anonymous
  March 24, 2014
  OK, had to fess-up, I had to Google how to log off our new 2012 Servers. Say this --job security!!!!

• Anonymous
  March 25, 2014
  >   Nerd:  "What a lot of whingers [sic].  Please, all of you who own an iPhone, go toss it in the bin, after all it doesn't have a start button so you must all be terribly lost...." Speaking of bad user interfaces...

• Anonymous
  March 25, 2014
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• Anonymous
  April 12, 2014
  for something as simple to "logoff" which admins use many times in a day its annoying

• Anonymous
  April 24, 2014
  Yup, googled "log off server 2012" two months ago.  Bookmarked this page and just showed it to my tech lead.  

• Anonymous
  May 06, 2014
  its annoying

• Anonymous
  May 12, 2014
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• Anonymous
  May 28, 2014
  @JC >> I am 50 and manage 19 sites with servers 2003/2008/2012 and believe i have every right to moan about the appearance of new OS's. The new OS's was suppose to be "Better" but how is it better if you have to do a search to find out how to Log Off? I can, and all these guys here i'm sure, knows how to create batch files and shortcuts to log off but why should we? BTW you ain't the only Grey here; there are alot of us around.

• Anonymous
  June 02, 2014
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• Anonymous
  June 26, 2014
  I vote for Takuu: ALT+CTRL+END, click Signout Or without using the mouse: ALT+CTRL+END, Down Arrow, Enter

• Anonymous
  July 11, 2014
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• Anonymous
  July 16, 2014
  Or you can use the keyboard Win+R (to get the run command) type CMD.  Then in the command prompt window type shutdown -l (that is a lowercase L).  I almost always open up a command prompt when logging in anyways.

• Anonymous
  July 17, 2014
  +1. The options described here are very handy! Thanks to all who contributed. I personally don't like typing "Shutdown" on a server lest I omit or fat finger the magic /I parameter to only logoff. In general I love Microsoft and newer OS has more goodies than issues... but I too am baffled by the UI Designers and Program Manager's decision to put the "Modern" UI on a server OS without at least providing an easy way to find and permenantly enable classic UI. (Don't blame the programmers - They only code up what the designers have specified.) While I'm at it I found the mouse lags in Server 2012 until I go to System>Performance and tune for fast display. Turning off all the UI candy for menu expansion etc. makes a huge difference... and should be the default for a server OS. Classic mismatch of UX for the primary Server target users (Sys admins/Operations).

• Anonymous
  August 18, 2014
  I always do the Windows Key + X and sign out that way.

• Anonymous
  August 25, 2014
  OMG... Just to Sign out of Win Server 2012, I have to Google and it was struggle of almost 10-15 mins... What is this new product upto...

• Anonymous
  September 12, 2014
  I too had to actually "Google" to learn how to log off remotely from 2012 Windows server

• Anonymous
  September 23, 2014
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• Anonymous
  September 30, 2014
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• Anonymous
  November 11, 2014
  Looking closely into 2012 is like opening the hood of a Bugatti Veyron and finding a coal powered stove at the heart of the engine.

• Anonymous
  November 24, 2014
  Same here - for the first time in well, ever, I had to Google "how to log off windows 2012 rdp session".  How could someone think this was ok, or not notice this would be a productivity hit for the faithful, and a deterrent for any prospects????  Unfortunately I see these blatant misses from Microsoft all too often lately.

• Anonymous
  December 01, 2014
  For windows 2012 core (Ctrl+ALT+End) solution works.

• Anonymous
  December 08, 2014
  It's a testament to how obscure (user-hostile, even?) the Windows Server 2012 GUI is that so many people (including myself) have to use a search engine to figure out how to logout of an RDP Windows Server 2012 session! Dave Cutler and the rest of the NT designers/developers must be shaking their heads in disbelief at the direction the Server GUI has taken.

• Anonymous
  December 08, 2014
  I had to google it too and for me the 2 best option to logoff > On screen is Ctrl + Alt + Del > On Remote Desktop is Ctrl + Alt + End And I totally disagree with some Admins here who suggested to create a batch file just to "LOGOFF" your Server where in the first place you shouldn't have to do that because you have it on the previous version! Thanks everyone

• Anonymous
  January 07, 2015
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• Anonymous
  January 08, 2015
  Pathetic.  I hope the fired everyone involved with this horrible UI.

• Anonymous
  January 12, 2015
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• Anonymous
  January 29, 2015
  Ditto.  What a piece of crud is this OS UI (I had to do hthe same GUI..., and as a *Nix / Wintel Admin, I laughed at the person's comment just above mine...).

• Anonymous
  February 02, 2015
  create new shortcuts on the desktop for "logoff" .. "cmd" .. and "shutdown /s /f /t 30" (30 second shutdown) .. and "shutdown /a" (to abort accidental shutdown) .. easy .. works very well

• Anonymous
  February 02, 2015
  Click Ctrl+R then run window will open then type logoff and enter easy way

• Anonymous
  February 04, 2015
  If you look up "stupid" in the dictionary, there is a picture of the Windows tile interface.  It also shows up under "interfering with productivity".

• Anonymous
  February 11, 2015
  Did Microsoft have meetings to discuss how to drive business customers away from their products? In what world would you have a touch screen in a server room?

• Anonymous
  March 09, 2015
  I just wasted 20 minutes on this. Did it not occur to MS that people would want to log out?

• Anonymous
  March 16, 2015
  Lots of good options below that work, but I think Alt-F4 seems quickest and easiest. Thanks all!

• Anonymous
  March 26, 2015
  Thanks for the post. Have not worked on servers for a while. I guess the 2012 GUI will work well for managing severs using a tablet ... but might be missing a keyboard then. Could I just have voice control and eye movement tracking? Otherwise I would not mind if the interface on Server 2016 looked like the one on Server 2000.

• Anonymous
  April 12, 2015
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• Anonymous
  April 12, 2015
  It just took two engineers 15 minutes to sign out from a remote desktop session.  Hint, put your mouse cursor on the last pixel in the upper right or bottom left.  I prefer the bottom left as sometime the rd session window appears full screen but actually isn't so the last couple pixels in the upper right aren't available.  A hint for this scenario is the maximize/restore button state in the title bar.  Thanks guys, sweet ui! Oh, after reading though a bunch of comment try this as well: > On Remote Desktop is Ctrl + Alt + End

• Anonymous
  May 11, 2015
  Googled it too... Dave, just found out that upper won't work if you're on Win 8 running rdp to 2012 Server. The local is put over the remote one...

• Anonymous
  May 19, 2015
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• Anonymous
  July 06, 2015
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• Anonymous
  July 13, 2015
  Just discovered you can right click the Windows Icon in the bottom left corner and choose shutdown or sign out.

• Anonymous
  September 12, 2015
  Install the free utility program "Classic Shell" and it makes Server 2012 bearable.

• Anonymous
  February 22, 2016
  create a desktop shortcut with Target = C:WindowsSystem32shutdown.exe /l /f  (that's a little L and a little F)

  • Anonymous
    July 07, 2016
    C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe /l /f is the proper command. Put into a btach file on your desktop, you're golden.

• Anonymous
  March 30, 2016
  Right click the Windows Start button.Choose Shut Down or Sign Out option>Sign out. Puff!