Switch accounts by signing out and signing back in with a different login

To change accounts in Messenger on Windows 10, you sign out of your current account and then sign in with a different one. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you're using the Messenger app from the Microsoft Store or the web version in your browser.

Messenger doesn't let you stay logged into multiple accounts at the same time on the same device — you have to fully sign out before you can sign in as someone else. This is a security feature: it prevents someone else from accessing your messages if they sit down at your computer while you're away.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign out by clicking your profile picture in the top left corner of Messenger and selecting "Sign out" from the menu.
  • After signing out completely, the login screen appears and you can enter a different Facebook or Instagram account.
  • If you use Messenger through a web browser instead of the app, the sign-out button is in the same location but the process is identical.
  • Your message history stays on Facebook's servers, so switching accounts doesn't delete your old conversations — they'll be there when you sign back in.

How to sign out of Messenger on the Windows 10 app

Open Messenger from your Start menu or taskbar. Look at the top left corner of the window — you'll see a small circle with your profile picture inside it. Click that circle.

A dropdown menu appears with your name and a few options. Click "Sign out" at the bottom of that menu. Messenger closes your account and returns you to the login screen. This is the point where you can enter a different account's email address or phone number.

If you don't see your profile picture in the top left, look for three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) instead. Click those lines and look for your name or profile section — the sign-out option will be nearby.

How to sign out through a web browser

If you use Messenger by going to messenger.com or facebook.com in Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or another browser, the sign-out process is almost identical. Click your profile picture in the top left corner of the Messenger window.

The same dropdown menu appears. Select "Sign out" and your browser clears your login. You'll be taken back to the Messenger login page, where you can enter a different account's credentials.

One difference: if you're signed into Facebook in the same browser, signing out of Messenger might not sign you out of Facebook itself. You may need to sign out of Facebook separately if you want to fully disconnect that account from the browser.

What happens to your messages when you switch accounts

Your message history doesn't go anywhere when you sign out. All your conversations stay stored on Facebook's servers under your account. When you sign back in with the same account, all your old messages are exactly where you left them.

If you sign in with a completely different account, you'll see that account's message history instead. The two accounts are completely separate — messages from your first account won't appear when you're logged in as the second account.

Signing in with a different account

After you sign out, the login screen shows a text box asking for your email address or phone number. Type in the email or phone number connected to the account you want to use. Then enter that account's password in the next field.

Click "Log In" and Messenger loads your contacts and message history for that account. If you have two-factor authentication turned on for that account, Messenger will ask you to confirm your login through a code sent to your phone or email — enter that code to finish signing in.

If you forget which email address or phone number is connected to an account, you can go to facebook.com on any device and use the "Forgot Password" link to find it. Facebook will send you a recovery email to help you regain access.

Switching back to your original account

To switch back to your first account, repeat the same process: click your profile picture, select "Sign out", and then enter your original account's email or phone number and password on the login screen.

You don't lose anything by switching accounts back and forth. Each time you sign in, you get your full message history for that account. There's no limit to how many times you can switch between accounts on the same device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stay logged into two Messenger accounts at the same time on Windows 10?

No. Messenger only allows one account per device at a time. You have to sign out completely before signing in as a different person. If you need to use two accounts regularly, you can open Messenger in a second browser window with a different browser (like Edge and Chrome), but the app itself doesn't support simultaneous logins.

Will my messages disappear if I sign out?

No. Your messages stay on Facebook's servers permanently. When you sign back in with the same account, all your conversations reappear exactly as they were. Signing out just disconnects your device from that account — it doesn't delete anything.

What if I forget the password for the account I want to switch to?

Go to facebook.com and click "Forgot Password" below the login box. Facebook will send you a recovery link to the email address or phone number connected to that account. Follow the link to reset your password, then use the new password to sign into Messenger.

Does signing out of Messenger also sign me out of Facebook?

Not necessarily. If you're using the Messenger app, signing out only affects Messenger. If you're using Messenger through a web browser and you're also logged into Facebook in that same browser, you may need to sign out of Facebook separately depending on your browser settings.