When you try to shut down or restart the computer, you may encounter the issue with someone else is still using this PC. If you restart now, they could lose unsaved work. Users when they login to a different user account also, they are facing the same issue. This issue is not specific to Windows 10 but also observed in Windows 8.1.
The error message appears as:
Someone else is still using this PC. If you restart now, they could lose unsaved work.
Same issue occurs when you try to shut down the computer and even at the login screen.
When you try to shut down, the error appears as:
Someone else is still using this PC. If you shut down now, they could lose unsaved work.
At the login screen, you may see the below message:
If you shut down now, you and any other people using this PC could lose unsaved work.
As per our research, this issue occurs because of the sign-in options in the user account, if the other user is still connected and if the Windows Updates installation is pending.
If you are facing the issue with someone else is still using this PC on your computer, this guide helps you to fix the error and let the computer work properly.
How to fix someone else is still using this PC on Windows computers?
Follow the below resolution steps one by one and check if the issue gets fix after each step. If the issue remains, you can proceed with the further resolution steps.
Change sign-in options:
Most users were able to fix this issue with someone else is still using this PC by disabling the Privacy feature in the user account settings. To perform the same, refer the below resolution steps.
- Press Windows logo + I keys on your keyboard to open Settings window and click on Accounts.
2. On the left hand side, click on Sign-in options. Scroll down and locate Privacy section. Make sure the option Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device and reopen my apps after and update or restart is disabled. If it is turned ON, toggle the switch to turn it OFF.
After this, reboot your computer and check if the issue with someone else is still using this PC gets fix. If the issue remains, you can proceed with the further resolution steps.
Force disconnect previous user:
As mentioned earlier, this issue also caused when the other user is not disconnected properly. In this case, we suggest you try to disconnect the user account and check if the issue gets fix. To perform the same, refer below steps.
- Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys on your keyboard to open Task Manager.
- Click on Users tab, right click on the user account and select the option Disconnect.
After this, reboot or shut down your computer and check if the issue with the pop up message gets fix. If the issue remains, you can continue with the further resolution steps.
Install available Windows updates to fix someone else is still using this PC error:
If the above resolution steps did not work, you can try to install all the pending updates available on your computer. To install all the Updates on your computer, refer the below steps.
- Press Windows logo + I keys on your keyboard to open Settings window. Next, click on Update & Security.
2. Now, click on Check for updates. Computer will check for all the available updates. If found, it will download and install automatically.
After installing the updates, reboot your computer and check if the error remains. The issue with someone else is still using this PC gets fix.
I hope that the above resolution steps helps you to fix the issue with someone else is still using this PC on your computer while trying to reboot or shut down your computer. If you need any further assistance, do comments below. We are happy to assist you.
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