How to log out of your operating system

Whenever you use an application or software or an operating system, you have to log in to that particular system. As soon as you log in, a period called a login session starts, and the work you do in that system is done during this period. When you have finished your work, that system gives you an option to log out. It is a good and vital method to log out as it protects your data from the access of some other user coming to that system.

According to different Operating Systems and their versions, there are multiple ways to log out.

For Windows 10 Users

1) Using Ctrl + Alt + Del – This is a keyboard shortcut method in which first press "Ctrl + Alt + Del" keys from your keyboard, and you will get to see several options such as Lock, Switch User, Sign Out, and Task Manager between these options click on Sign Out.

2) Using Alt + F4 – This is another keyboard shortcut method by pressing "Alt + F4" keys simultaneously will open a Shut Down Windows popup. You will get to see a drop-down list. Click on it and select the option ‘Sign Out.

3) Using Power Menu – One way of doing this is by using the keyboard shortcut keys "Win + X" or on your screen, you will get to see a Start icon on the bottom left corner. Using your mouse right, click on this icon. After doing any one of the above, a power menu opens up, having multiple options. Choose the Shut down or sign out option and select Sign out.

4) Sign Out from Command Prompt – Press the "Win + X" keys from your keyboard, and you will get to see a power menu opening. Choose Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt option. After this, type the command "shutdown /l", and press enter from your keyboard. Windows will now automatically sign out from your account.

5) Using Start Menu – Using your mouse left, click on the "Start" icon and select the profile picture of the user who is currently logged in to the system. Choose the option Sign out. If multiple users are logged into the single system, you also get to see the Switch account option. By choosing the Switch account option, you will be able to log out from the current account and log in to some other account.

6) Run Logoff Command – From your keyboard, press the "Win + R" keys, and you will get to see a "Run" named dialog box opened. Besides the "Open:" label, you will get to see a typing space out here type "logoff" and press enter. Now Windows will sign you out from your current account.

7) Add Sign Out Shortcut Menu – This method will create a shortcut Sign out menu on the desktop, with the help of this you will be able to Sign out quickly. To do so, first of all, type "logoff" from your keyboard in the Cortana Search Box or in Windows. You will get to see an option named "logoff" as Run Command right-click on this option and then select "Open file location".

A path "C:\Windows\System32" will open up, which contains the "logoff.exe" file on your computer. From the several options displayed right, click on the "logoff" file and then select the "Send to" option. Under this, choose the "Desktop (create shortcut)" option. Now you will get to see a "logoff-Shortcut" on your desktop.

For Windows 8 and 8.1 users

1) Using Ctrl + Alt + Del – This is a keyboard shortcut method in which you need to press the "Ctrl + Alt + Del" keys from your keyboard and then choose the "Sign out" option.

2) Using Start Screen – In the Start screen of your Windows, click on the profile picture of the user who is currently logged in to the system and then select the "Sign out" option.

For Windows 7 and Vista users

1) Using Ctrl + Alt + Del – This is a keyboard shortcut method in which first press the "Ctrl + Alt + Del" keys from your keyboard and then choose the "Log off" option.

2) Using the Start menu – Click on the "Start" icon, and you will get to see the "Start" menu. In this menu, on the bottom right side beside the "Shut down", click on the right arrow and choose the "Log off" option.

For Windows XP users

1) Using the Start menu – Click on the "Start" icon, and a "Start" menu will open up. In this menu, click on "Log off".

For Apple Mac OS users

1) Using Shift-Cmd-Q - From your keyboard, press "Shift-Cmd-Q", and a dialog box named "logoff" opens up and here, click on "Log Out".

2) Using Shift-Opt-Cmd-Q - Press "Shift-Opt-Cmd-Q" and click on "Log Out".

3) Using Apple Menu – At the upper left corner, click on the Apple icon. An Apple menu opens up and at the bottom, click on "Log Out".