defaults write /Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences MultipleSessionEnabled -bool Yes

defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow SHOWFULLNAME -bool YES

This has always worked for me, maybe it could be the extra apostrophes? I use this during imagining at reboot, but this could be used as a policy as well (test it out!).

I have deployed

defaults write /Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences MultipleSessionEnabled -bool 'YES'

successfully to 10.10.2 and 10.10.3 clients via policy.

Hi guys,

cheers for the responses. This does seem to work on any new accounts, but it doesn't seem to affect any existing users.

Have you tried:

defaults write /Users/*/Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences MultipleSessionEnabled -bool 'YES'

Just to add. User level MCX & Yosemite seems to not work.

There are a few threads in that here, so might me time to move to profiles.

Hi Ben,

This is what I am seeing. I tried a custom configuration profile for fast user switching and couldn't get it working. I could only get it to deploy at a system level. I'll see if the threads here can shed any more light.

@jamesdurler Hi James, did you ever find something reliable to deploy at the system level?

I know this is an old thread but anyone managed to get this to work on 10.14? Thanks

Hi @j.tanudjaja ,

It works for Mojave, but you need to add .plist in your command line:

defaults write /Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences.plist MultipleSessionEnabled -bool true
defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow.plist SHOWFULLNAME -bool true

In case anyone else is having the same issue with Monterey go to this article - https://www.kevinmcox.com/2022/04/adventures-in-fast-user-switching-on-macos-monterey/

Below is the script I deployed through JAMF. The key is running the last 2 plist settings AS the user.

#!/bin/sh

# Get current logged in user
currentuser=`/bin/ls -la /dev/console | /usr/bin/cut -d " " -f 4`

# Global Setting. Enables for all users.
defaults write /Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences MultipleSessionEnabled -bool true

# User Specific Setting. Note - if running manually use SUDO
# UserSwitcher - Where you want the fast user switching icon to appear
# OPTIONS: 1 = Show in Control Center. (WE USE #2) 2 = Show in Menu Bar. 3 = Show in both. 8 = Hidden (FUS disabled)
su $currentuser -c "defaults -currentHost write com.apple.controlcenter UserSwitcher -int 2"

# User Specific Setting. Note - if running manually use SUDO
# userMenuExtraStyle - What you want it to display.
# OPTIONS: 0 = Full Name. (WE USE #1) 1 = Account Name (username). 2 = Icon (default)
su $currentuser -c "defaults write .GlobalPreferences userMenuExtraStyle -int 1"

# Global Setting. Enables for all users.
defaults write /Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences MultipleSessionEnabled -bool true

but this doesn't add the option for all users, If a new user logs in the complete script needs to be ran.

Is there one that will effect all users and not just current console user?

Not that I know of unfortunately. You could set the script to run Once per User in JAMF.