How To Fix The Someone Else Is Still Using This PC Error

Understanding the "Someone Else Is Still Using This PC" Error

The "Someone else is still using this PC" error message can be frustrating, especially when you are certain that no other users are logged in. This error typically occurs when Windows detects an active user session, even if you believe you are the only user. Here are several steps to help you resolve this issue.

Causes of the Error

Before diving into the solutions, it's essential to understand what might be causing this error:

Another User Has Not Signed Out: If multiple user accounts exist on your computer, this message can appear if another user has not signed out properly. This can happen if a user switches accounts instead of logging out.
Sign-in Options: Changes in the Sign-in Options, such as using sign-in info to automatically finish setting up the device and reopen apps, can trigger this error.
Windows Updates: Background Windows updates can also cause this message to appear.
Third-Party Antivirus Software: Sometimes, third-party antivirus software can interfere with the shutdown process.

Steps to Fix the Error

1. Check for Active User Sessions

To determine if another user is still logged in, follow these steps:

Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager.
Go to the Users Tab: Here, you will see a list of all active user sessions. If you find another user listed, you can right-click on that user and select "Sign off" or "Disconnect" to log them out.

Changing the sign-in options can resolve the issue:

Open Settings: Go to the Start menu and select the Settings gear icon.
Navigate to Accounts: Select "Accounts" and then "Sign-in options" on the left side.
Disable Automatic Sign-in: Scroll down and uncheck the option "Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device and reopen my apps after an update or restart".

3. Check for Background Windows Updates

If Windows updates are installing in the background, this could cause the error:

Check for Updates: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check if any updates are pending. Complete the update process and then restart your computer.

4. Remove Other Local Accounts

If there are other local accounts on your PC, removing them might help:

Go to Settings: Navigate to Accounts > Family and other users.
Remove Other Accounts: Back up any files from these accounts and then delete them.

5. Troubleshoot with Task Manager

Sometimes, unfinished tasks can cause the error:

Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and go to the "Processes" tab.
End Unfinished Tasks: Look for any unfinished tasks, such as printing tasks, and end them by right-clicking and selecting "End Task".

6. Manage Third-Party Antivirus Software

Third-party antivirus software can sometimes interfere with the shutdown process:

Uninstall Third-Party Antivirus: Temporarily uninstall the antivirus software from "Add or Remove Programs" and see if the issue resolves. You can reinstall it later if necessary.

7. Run System Restore

If the issue persists, you might want to try restoring your system to a previous point:

Open Control Panel: Go to Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore.
Select a Restore Point: Choose a restore point before the issue started and follow the prompts to complete the restore process.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the "Someone else is still using this PC" error and ensure that your computer shuts down or restarts without any issues.