Force User Logout

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Level 1

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Force User Logout

Is there a way as the Administrator user to log other users off the system.

The kids rarely logout of their account when they are done using it. There are times when I want exclusive use. I currently restart the computer when I want to do this.

Is there an easier way ?

Thanks
Jim

iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Feb 18, 2008 6:23 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Niel

Level 10

726,749 points

Feb 18, 2008 6:25 PM in response to JimVollmer

Try using the Activity Monitor in the /Applications/Utilities/ folder to force quit their instance of the loginwindow process; this will cause all unsaved work in that account to be erased without further confirmation.

(29547)

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Answer 2

JimVollmer Author

Level 1

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Feb 18, 2008 6:37 PM in response to Niel

Thanks, I will try that. Stills seems like a harsh method (like restarting).

I will leave this open for a while to see if there are any other suggestions.

Thanks
Jim

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Answer 3

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Feb 18, 2008 6:49 PM in response to JimVollmer

Jim:

If you have Fast User Switching enabled, disable it, so that one user has to log out before another can log in.

If you think you need to have Switching enabled you can switch to the other users account, log in and logged out in Apple Menu > Log out User Name. Of course, this necessitates knowing the users login info, which can be a condition for sharing the use of the computer.

Cheers 🙂

cornelius

cornelius

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Answer 4

JimVollmer Author

Level 1

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Feb 18, 2008 7:21 PM in response to cornelius

Thanks for the input.
We do like Fast Switching. It is only occasionally that I want exclusive use of the computer (usually when I run Parallels or sys admin tasks). I prefer to let them keep their passwords to themselves.

I was looking for something built-in that would force a user off without manually whacking their tasks.

I am closing this out, as I have a better solution than restarting

Thanks
Jim

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Answer 5

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Feb 18, 2008 7:26 PM in response to JimVollmer

Jim:

I have a better solution than restarting
If you don't mind sharing the workaround you have, it may be helpful to other users reading this thread.

Cheers 🙂

cornelius

PS: Thank you for leaving feedback by marking the "helpful" posts.

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Answer 6

JimVollmer Author

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Feb 18, 2008 8:37 PM in response to cornelius

Sorry I was not clear about that.

I was referring to the advice of the 2nd poster, which involved killing their login processes with Activity Monitor.

Jim

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Answer 7

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Feb 19, 2008 7:02 AM in response to JimVollmer

Jeff:

Thanks for posting back with clarification. It is helpful to know that.

Remember to warn other users to be sure to save their work before leaving the computer.

Good luck.

cornelius

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Answer 8

JimVollmer Author

Level 1

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Feb 23, 2008 8:24 AM in response to JimVollmer

I am opening this one again, because I was unable to use the suggestion provided in the 2nd post.

As far as I can see, only the active user has a "loginwindow" process. Inactive users do not.

Is there a single process that can be killed to effectively log an inactive user off the system ?

Cheers
Jim

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Answer 9

JimVollmer Author

Level 1

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Feb 23, 2008 8:30 AM in response to JimVollmer

Disregard - I was able to find the loginwindow process for an inactive user.

This is a good way to log an inactive user off the system.

Cheers
Jim

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Answer 10

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Feb 23, 2008 12:38 PM in response to JimVollmer

Jim:

If I understand your last posts correctly, you have resolved the issue to your satisfaction. If that is so, Congratulations! If not, please post back.

Good luck.

cornelius

PS: Thank you for leaving feedback in Apple Discussions by marking the "helpful" posts.

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