Windows 8 Bible

Logging In and Out of User Accounts

When you start your computer, Windows 8 presents you with the Lock Screen. This is a screen that shows a background picture and has the capability to run background apps such as a calendar app or mail app before you log in. To advance beyond the Lock Screen, roll the mouse wheel down, gesture down, or press Enter. You are then shown the login screen. At this screen, the last user logged in at that computer will display. If you have multiple user accounts on your computer, you can select to log in using the previous user account (if that’s you), or select a different user.

To log in, enter the password that protects that account from unauthorized entry. If you want to log in using a different login name, click the left arrow to see a list of all the users who have logged into this computer. Click the user you want to log in as and then enter that user’s login credentials to start Windows 8.

For accounts that do not have an associated password, simply click the name for that user and Windows loads to the Windows 8.

Where am I now?

To see the name of the user account you’re currently logged into, look at the top-right corner of the Windows 8. In Figure 5.1, the user account name is Robert Tidrow, but it could be any username set up on your computer. If Windows 8 came pre-installed on your computer, it might be a generic name, such as Owner or User.

FIGURE 5.1 Username on the new Windows 8 Start screen

Switching accounts

You have a few different ...