If you are new to Windows 10 and want to know how you can log out of the computer or log out of Windows after your work is done, this basic tutorial is for you. Not only will you learn this, but you will also see how you can log out in several ways.
What happens when you disconnect from a computer?
Before you start with the methods, let's take a look at what happens when you log out or log out. Windows will close all user applications running in the background, will close all files, but will leave the computer running. Once you are logged out, you should see the login screen.
If your computer is used often, it is best to log out and leave it running, which will prevent you from waiting for the computer to restart.
How to disconnect from the computer or disconnect from Windows 10
There are several ways to disconnect from the computer and you can use any of them with the same effect:
- The Start menu
- Log off using the WinX menu
- Alt + Ctrl + Delete
- ALT + F4
- Command Prompt
- Office shortcut.
If you are wondering which method you should use, it depends on which method is best for you. I end up using Alt + F 4 because it's faster than the others.
1) Log out using the Start menu
This is a standard method where you click the Start button, then the icon of your profile and click Logout. If there is an unsaved job or a process that is running in the background, you will be prompted to save the job and close the applications.
2) Log out using the WinX menu
- Press WIN + X to open the Power Users menu
- Locate the menu Shot or Disconnect at the end and hover your mouse over it
- Select Logout
You can also use WIN + X first, then U to open the drop-down menu, then press Enter to log out of the computer.
3) Alt + Ctrl + Delete
This is one of the classic methods that we had used whenever the computer was getting stuck. It launches a screen overlay, which gives you the option to lock, change user, log out and Task Manager. Choose Disconnect.
4) ALT + F4 Keyboard shortcut to disconnect from the computer
Another favorite method of all the time I had always used when I was using Windows XP and Windows 7. When on the desktop, press ALT + F4, and this will open a small pop-up window. Here you can choose to log out from the drop-down menu, then click the OK button.
5) Log out of the command prompt
- Open the command prompt
- Type stop -L and press the Enter key
- It will disconnect you from Windows.
You can also run the same command from the Run prompt.
6) Shortcut to disconnect from the computer
If you like to use shortcuts to execute commands that you use often, we have written a comprehensive guide on how to create shutdown, restart, and logoff shortcuts on Widows Desktop. You can also choose to assign a keyboard shortcut to this shortcut and run it at any time.
I hope you find one of the methods that are convenient for you to disconnect from the computer.