Did you know that you can use WIN+L to lock your user, and then ALT+O to switch to another user.
Someone in the guide Slightly Faster User Switching for Windows 7 mentions:
As best as I can tell, there is no simple/direct means to do that in Windows 7... you must always go through a manual step in the login screen. In retrospect, I agree with the Microsoft designers: That is a very good idea.
This describes almost any methods posted so far, except for grawity's suggestion.
But that guy from the guide also mentions:
I should also mention that there is a commercial program (DUST) that purports to enable quicker user switching; however I've read mixed reviews on that software and I (personally) never install time-limited trial software. It's too annoying to deal with.
DUST seems to exactly answer to what you want, it's like doing an ALT+TAB to another session.
But as usual with those kind of tools, they are not free...
Either pick this or grawity's suggestion. ;-)
When I was about to close the tab I quickly checked for compatibility and found another possible solution:
Windows XP/Vista/7 Task Manager
Direct switching is possible through the Users tab of Windows XP/Vista/7 Task Manager by right clicking a disconnected user and selecting Connect. However this does not support saved passwords and always attempts to connect using an empty password, this can be useful but also harmful if there is a bad password limit in force. In addition to it being much slower and less convenient it also means each session ends up having an open task manager on the desktop.
Furthermore under Windows Vista/7, many features on the Users tab require elevation but the options do not have the shield icon nor do they prompt for elevation. Hence it is necessary to elevate the property sheet by clicking the Show processes from all users button on the Processes tab. This causes the property sheet to be replaced by an elevated one where the Show processes from all users button is now a check box, this can be turned off to get the same items displayed as before.
As an alternative you could use Process Explorer which can be minimized to the tray bar.
Generally, a standard part of a domain setup includes the disabling of this ability. Fast user switching is primarily used for home computers and your domain administrators, rather than using a Group Policy settings, simply remove the system service to prevent work arounds.
I have not seen a managed domain that allowed fast user switching.
You can use Run As for many tasks that require elevated permissions. Some installations will fail when you do this, but many others will work.
I'd talk to the IT group and ask if this is what they've done.
Best Answer
I am not sure..but i think you turn off Fast user switching,because it is a functionality on modern multi-user operating systems which allows multiple user accounts to log on to a computer simultaneously and then quickly switch between them without quitting applications and logging out.
The reason for turned off Fast user switching is
First, this could be a security policy requirement. A security requirement might be that a user should completely quit all applications and log off from the computer after finishing his or her work on the computer.
By disabling the fast user switching feature, you hide the Switch user button in the Logon user interface, in the Start menu, and in the Task Manager.
Another reason could be performance issues. The fast user switching feature uses some system resources which can be freed in case the fast user switching functionality is not needed.
The above reason you tried to log into another account but you got the message