When it comes to switching users on a computer, it is important to understand how the operating system handles running programs. In most cases, when you switch users, the programs that are currently running will continue to run in the background. This means that they will not be visible on the screen of the user who is switching, but they will still be actively running and performing tasks.
I have personally experienced this scenario many times. For example, let’s say I am working on a document in Microsoft Word and I need to switch users to let someone else use the computer. When I switch users, Word will continue to run in the background, saving my progress and allowing me to pick up where I left off when I switch back to my user account.
This behavior is possible because modern operating systems, like Windows and macOS, are designed to support multiple users simultaneously. When you switch users, the operating system creates a separate session for each user, allowing them to have their own desktop environment and run their own set of programs. This means that each user can have their own programs running independently of other users.
It is worth noting that some programs may behave differently when you switch users. For example, if you are using a program that requires network connectivity, such as a web browser or an instant messaging application, it may be temporarily disconnected from the network when you switch users. However, once you switch back to the original user, the program will typically reconnect to the network and resume its normal functionality.
In addition to switching users, you can also have multiple users logged in simultaneously on some operating systems. This means that each user can have their own set of programs running in the background, even if they are not actively using the computer. This can be particularly useful in situations where multiple people need to use the same computer at different times without interrupting each other’s work.
To summarize, when you switch users on a computer, the programs that are currently running will generally continue to run in the background. This allows you to switch back to your user account and seamlessly resume your work without losing any progress. However, it is important to keep in mind that some programs may behave differently when you switch users, particularly in terms of network connectivity.