Setting an Account to Automatically Logon

by Eric Wyatt
(last updated March 8, 2021)

Passwords on our computers have been around for years. They help keep the contents of our computers private and secure from others. This is extremely helpful and a source of security for many. Passwords can be set for account login, file protection, network access, and more. I always encourage the use of a strong password and this is also encouraged by computer security experts around the globe.

Having said that, this week a colleague asked if it was possible to remove the need to enter a password from an account on a shared computer used for testing. This is a rather easy process:

  1. Press Win+R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type (without quotes) "netplwiz" and then press Enter. This opens the User Accounts dialog box.
  3. Uncheck the box marked "Users Must Enter a User Name And Password To Use This Computer."
  4. Click Apply in the lower-right corner of the dialog box. This opens the Automatically Sign In dialog box.
  5. Enter the password for the username entered into the User Name field and click OK. This closes the Automatically Sign In dialog box. (See Figure 1.)

    6. Figure 1. Enter the password and username for the account to be logged in automatically.

  6. Close the User Accounts dialog box.
  7. Your change should take effect immediately, however, I recommend restarting to verify the changes took effect.

It is important to state that removing the need for passwords does bring some inherent security concerns. It is only recommended to do this if you are not concerned about someone gaining access to your system.

 This tip (13832) applies to Windows 10.

Author Bio

Eric Wyatt

Eric Wyatt is a swell guy (or so his friends tell him). He is a formally trained designer and branding expert, bringing a wide range of skills to his Tips.Net articles. ...

MORE FROM ERIC

Enable or Disable Mouse Hover Window Activation

Windows 10 allows for a window to become active by simply hovering your mouse over it. Discover how to turn this setting ...

Discover More

Setting Process Affinity

When your computer has a multi-core processor or multiple processors you can control how tasks or processes take ...

Discover More

Available RAM Slots

Upgrading the memory on your Windows 10 computer can be helpful in improving sluggishness. Determining the number of ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Modifying the General Startup Process

Having problems getting Windows to start properly? You can try to track down what is causing the problem by using the ...

Discover More

Restoring Send To Desktop (Create Shortcut)

Sometimes the "Send to | Desktop (create shortcut)" option disappears, or perhaps it was never there in the first place. ...

Discover More

Changing the Program that Opens a File

If you have multiple versions of the same program on your system, Windows can become confused as to which version it ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is five more than 7?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2021 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.