When you are using your computer, you are logged in to the operating system. Even if you didn’t type your name and password, you are logged in to a user account. When you are not using your computer, log out to prevent other users from accessing your private documents and saved passwords.

To log out of the operating system, select the appropriate link below and follow the instructions. In case your mouse isn’t working, the instructions include keyboard shortcuts.

How to log out of Microsoft Windows

Windows 11

Using your keyboard, press Ctrl+Alt+Del and choose the Sign out option.

  • How to log out of Microsoft Windows.

  • How to log out in the Windows command line.

  • How to log out of Apple macOS.

  • How to log out of Linux.

  • How to log out of Chrome OS (Chromebook).

  • Windows 11

  • Windows 10

  • Windows 8 and 8.1

  • Windows 7 and Vista

  • Windows XP

Or, click Start (A) on the taskbar, click your profile name in the lower-left corner of the Start menu (B), and select Sign out in the pop-up menu that appears (C).

Windows 10

Using your keyboard, press Ctrl+Alt+Del and choose the option to Sign out.

Or, click Start and on the top of the Start menu, click your name and select Sign out.

Windows 8 and 8.1 users

Press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Del and choose the option to Sign out.

Or, at the Windows 8.1 Start screen, click your profile icon and choose the Sign out option as shown in the picture.

  • How to Sleep, Restart, or Shut down Windows 8.

Windows 7 and Vista users

Press Ctrl+Alt+Del and choose the option to Log off.

Or, click Start, and on the Start menu right arrow next to the Shut down button and click the option to Log off.

Windows XP users

Click Start and click the Log Off button.

How to log out in the Windows command line

From the Windows command line, use the logoff command.

How to log out of Apple macOS

  • Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen to open the Apple Menu.
  • At the bottom of the list, click the Log Out option.

If logged in through a shell from the command line, use the exit command.

How to log out of Linux

To log out of macOS using keyboard keys, press Shift+Option+Cmd+Q.

How to log out of Chrome OS (Chromebook)

Press the power button until several options appear on the screen, and select the Sign out option.

Or, click the oval section at the bottom-right corner of the screen where the time and battery icon are located. In the pop-up settings window, click the Sign out option near the top-left corner.

  • See our sign off definition for further information and related links.
  • Software help and support.