microsoft 365 and strange message about two users

[Betsy Grenevitch]

Using NVDA what do I do and how did it happen that when I am trying to shut down it asks if I want to "switch users or cancel. this has happened before but this time I do not seem to be able to get rid of it. There should not be two users on my laptop. I learned how to close programs as it said something about switching users with apps still open but when I went down what I thought was the list I did not hear any apps such as thunderbird,etcv. but other programs.

Any information would be appreciated.

--
Betsy Grenevitch 678-862-3876

[Sean Randall]

Hi Betsy 

Windows has always had the switch user option - it doesn't necessarily mean there's a user to switch to. I don't think you need worry about it. 

 

Thanks

Sean

On 13 May 2026, at 07:59, Betsy Grenevitch <blinda...@gmail.com> wrote:



--
***
Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct.
NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by the rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
 
You can contact the group owners and moderators via nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/a16793e7-68af-4948-a1b2-7bc9d1659fc6%40gmail.com.

[Gene Asner]

Leave the computer on.  See if the message changes to the usual shut
down message after perhaps and hour or two.  This message may appear
when updates are being installed because you aren't supposed to shut
down during that time.  The second Tuesday of each month is the usual
day on which updates are provided by Microsoft and installed.  It may
not always be on that day, but it usually is.

]

Gene

> --
> ***
> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of
> Conduct.
> NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by
> the rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
> https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
>
> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org.
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/a16793e7-68af-4948-a1b2-7bc9d1659fc6%40gmail.com

> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/a16793e7-68af-4948-a1b2-7bc9d1659fc6%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

[Gene Asner]

I shouldn't have said an hour.  If you check over time, the message should disappear if it is caused by an update installing which is the only reason I know that you are seeing what you are seeing.  

I said an hour because, in case it takes updates much longer to install than it should, I would usually expect the message to be back to normal again by then.  If it isn't, wait longer.  there is no harm in leaving a computer on.  I almost never shut mine down.  I reboot from time to time but I just about never turn it off and I often don't reboot for days.

Gene

On 5/13/2026 1:59 AM, Betsy Grenevitch wrote:

--
***
Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct.
NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by the rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
 
You can contact the group owners and moderators via nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/a16793e7-68af-4948-a1b2-7bc9d1659fc6%40gmail.com.

[Betsy Grenevitch]

I did not know how to shut off. If I chose cancel to not switch users it would not shut down. It would only have the sleep option.

Hi Betsy 

Windows has always had the switch user option - it doesn't necessarily mean there's a user to switch to. I don't think you need worry about it. 

 

Thanks

Sean

On 13 May 2026, at 07:59, Betsy Grenevitch <blinda...@gmail.com> wrote:



Using NVDA what do I do and how did it happen that when I am trying to shut down it asks if I want to "switch users or cancel. this has happened before but this time I do not seem to be able to get rid of it. There should not be two users on my laptop. I learned how to close programs as it said something about switching users with apps still open but when I went down what I thought was the list I did not hear any apps such as thunderbird,etcv. but other programs.

--
***
Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct.
NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by the rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
 
You can contact the group owners and moderators via nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/a16793e7-68af-4948-a1b2-7bc9d1659fc6%40gmail.com.

--
***
Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct.
NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by the rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
 
You can contact the group owners and moderators via nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/85143EA2-017D-42B9-8137-5BC659996080%40seanrandall.me.

[Sean Randall]

Oh I have seen that somewhere - the shutdown option vanishes completely. 

I think you can still shutdown from the menu that appears by pressing windows&x if this happens again. 

Thanks

Sean

On 13 May 2026, at 15:27, Betsy Grenevitch <blinda...@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/1a067adc-cc7a-400b-9134-f9e0be8b132b%40gmail.com.

[Gene Asner]

No. There is a reason the option isn't there and it is very bad
practice to force a shut down, such as by holding the power button until
power stops in such cases. You may damage Windows.

The only time I've seen the shut down and reboot options disappear is
when updates are being installed. They aren't shown because you aren't
supposed to shut down then.

Gene

> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/a16793e7-68af-4948-a1b2-7bc9d1659fc6%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

> --
> ***
> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct.
> NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by the
> rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
> https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
>
> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org.
> To view this discussion visit

> https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/85143EA2-017D-42B9-8137-5BC659996080%40seanrandall.me
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/85143EA2-017D-42B9-8137-5BC659996080%40seanrandall.me?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

>
> --
> ***
> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct.
> NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by the
> rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
> https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md>
>
> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org

> <mailto:nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org>.

> To view this discussion visit

> https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/1a067adc-cc7a-400b-9134-f9e0be8b132b%40gmail.com
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/1a067adc-cc7a-400b-9134-f9e0be8b132b%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

>
> --
> ***
> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct.
> NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by the
> rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
> https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md>
>
> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org

> <mailto:nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org>.

> To view this discussion visit

> https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/959D0413-B0EB-415C-AFE8-DDD0C5B4C6A4%40seanrandall.me
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/959D0413-B0EB-415C-AFE8-DDD0C5B4C6A4%40seanrandall.me?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

[Sean Randall]

It's regularly vanished for me across 3 installs of both 10 and 11. Executing a shutdown has caused me no harm whatsoever.
Thanks

Sean


On 13 May 2026, at 16:05, Gene Asner <gsa...@gmail.com> wrote:

No. There is a reason the option isn't there and it is very bad practice to force a shut down, such as by holding the power button until power stops in such cases. You may damage Windows.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/f99baa8c-c1d3-b382-e7e6-83428a36f897%40gmail.com.

[Gene Asner]

I'm saying that the disappearance, whether during installation or
updates is for a reason. It doesn't just happen. People are too
flippant about disregarding legitimate security safeguards Microsoft
institutes.

If shutdown and restart are not available, there is a reason, except if
there is a Windows probolem and it is very unlikely that a Windows
problem would cause this behavior. And the fact that the disappearance
occurred on update Tuesday is also very strong evidence that this is no
coincidence or Windows malfunction.

Just because you shut down without problems doesn't mean it isn't
dangerous once the shut down option disappears. It just means you, one
user on one computer, didn't have a problem. You can't generalize from
one experience in this sort of discussion.

I'll not argue this further, both because I'd probably be repeating
myself and because an extended discussion about this is off topic.

Gene

[Betsy Grenevitch]

        My         solution per microsoft accessibility was that the updates automatically had somehow gotten turned off. I have no idea how that happened. 

I now have the steps to turn it back on if it happens again.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/6e16d7f9-e313-45f1-b3c5-05354590ad00%40gmail.com.

--
Betsy Grenevitch 678-862-3876

[Gene Asner]

I don't know what you are referring to. I'm referring to Windows
updates. They are usually released on the second Tuesday of the month,
known as Patch Tuesday. You can't turn them off.

Gene

>>> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/a16793e7-68af-4948-a1b2-7bc9d1659fc6%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

>> --
>> ***
>> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of
>> Conduct.
>> NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by
>> the rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
>> https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
>>
>> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
>> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
>> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
>> an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org.
>> To view this discussion visit

>> https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/6e16d7f9-e313-45f1-b3c5-05354590ad00%40gmail.com
>> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/6e16d7f9-e313-45f1-b3c5-05354590ad00%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

> --
> Betsy Grenevitch 678-862-3876
>
> --
> ***
> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct.
> NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by the
> rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
> https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md>
>
> You can contact the group owners and moderators via
> nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org

> <mailto:nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org>.

> To view this discussion visit

> https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/5d0aa88c-4b40-4f56-882f-6c4f95e5ac8d%40gmail.com
> <https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/5d0aa88c-4b40-4f56-882f-6c4f95e5ac8d%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.