Windows XP May Slow Down If Users Are Logged On with Fast User Switching

The performance of Windows XP may slow down as additional users log on to the computer.

This issue can occur if the Fast User Switching feature is enabled and users remain logged on and leave programs running.

To work around this behavior, free some resources in Windows XP. To do this, use any of the following methods (use the first method if you can):

• Log off users individually:
  1. Log on with administrator permissions.
  2. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to start Windows Task Manager.
  3. In Windows Task Manager, click the Users.
  4. Click a user, and then click Logoff.
• Restart the computer. Note that this logs off all users.
• End processes that are being used by other users. Note that this method may cause unexpected problems.
  1. Log on with administrator permissions.
  2. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to start Windows Task Manager.
  3. Click a process, and then click End Process.

This behavior is by design.