How to add or remove the sign-out option from the start menu in Windows 10 and 11. Managing user access on Windows devices sometimes means limiting available options. One example, the sign-out function. Whether you want to remove it for convenience or control, it's possible to disable the sign-out button from the start menu and shut down dialogue in both Windows 10 and 11. Let's walk through how to do it using group policy and the registry editor. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to Ninja One's IT video hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this. Using the local group policy editor. This tool is only available on Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, not Home. You'll also need administrator rights. Here's how to disable the sign-out option using group policy. Right-click the start button and select run. In the run box, type GPEdit.MSC and press enter. Navigate to user configuration, administrative templates, start menu and taskbar. Find the policy named remove logoff on the start menu. Double click it, select enabled, and press OK. This change removes the sign-out option from both the start menu and the Alt plus F4 shut down menu. To undo the change, just set the policy back to not configured. Using the registry editor. If you're running Windows Home or prefer using the registry, here's what to do. Open the run window again and type REGEDIT.EXE, then hit OK. Navigate to one of these keys, depending on scope. For current user, HKey Current User, Software, Microsoft, Windows, Current Version, Policies, Explorer. For all users, HKey, Local Machine, Software, Microsoft, Windows, Current Version, Policies, Explorer. Look for a DWORD value named StartMenuLogoff. If it exists, set its value to one to remove the option. If it doesn't, right click, create it, and then set the value. To restore the sign-out option, either delete that DWORD or set its value to zero. Restart your system to apply changes. Important notes: while this method doesn't prevent all sign-out methods, like Control plus Alt plus Delete, it's useful for cleaning up the UI or preventing accidental logouts. If you're managing multiple devices, these settings can also be deployed remotely in Enterprise environments. For more information, check out our official blog post on removing the sign-out option in Windows 10 and 11 linked in the description below.