A reader writes in to ask, "sometimes I just need to log-out other users in order to switch to single-user mode, is there a way to do so, even when they aren't at their computers?"
There are times when QuickBooks users simply 'abandon' their workstations with QuickBooks open, and in some cases with unsaved transactions open in progress, but the QuickBooks Administrator needs to perform a task that requires them be in Single-User Mode. It’s been possible for the QuickBooks Administrator to Log out users using the Close company file for users feature within QuickBooks Messenger; but this feature was improved in 2015 versions of QuickBooks in order to better protect the Company file.
This new process permits the shutdown to occur normally resulting in the transaction to be saved at the point at which it exists, or the point at which it was last 'in balance'.
Log into the company file as the QuickBooks Administrator in multi-user mode. Then double-click the QuickBooks Messenger icon in the Windows System-tray.
Quicm,kk
When Messenger opens access the Actions menu. Identify the user(s) you wish to log-out and select the option to “Close even if users have unsaved data”. Confirm you want to close the workstation(s). Once the other user(s) log-out(s) are successful you can switch to single-user mode.
I can't say what your 'other users' will think when they come back and find that they are no longer logged-in to QuickBooks, but at least you know now how you can take the steps you need to take to continue working.