How to Turn Off Password on Windows 10

This guide shows you how to remove the password prompt when signing in to Windows 10, so you can boot straight to your desktop. You’ll need to be signed in with an administrator account and know your current password. The steps work for local accounts and Microsoft accounts, though the latter has an extra step to disable Windows Hello.

What You’ll Need

An administrator account on the PC
Your current Windows password (to confirm changes)

Step-by-Step

Open the Run dialog. Press Win + R on your keyboard.
Type netplwiz and press Enter. This opens the User Accounts window. (If you see a UAC prompt, click Yes.)
Select your user account in the list at the top. Make sure the account you want to auto-sign in is highlighted.
Uncheck the box labeled “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.”
Click Apply. A dialog will appear asking you to confirm your password.
Enter your current password in both the “Password” and “Confirm Password” fields, then click OK.
Click OK again to close the User Accounts window.
Restart your PC to test. It should boot directly to your desktop without asking for a password.

If you use a Microsoft account: After step 7, you may still see a lock screen or PIN prompt. To disable that:

Go to Settings (Win + I) > Accounts > Sign-in options.
Under “Require sign-in,” change the dropdown to Never.
Turn off Windows Hello (PIN, fingerprint, etc.) by clicking each method and selecting Remove. You may need to verify with your password.

Common Mistakes

Checking the wrong account. If you have multiple accounts, you must select the one you want to auto-login. The checkbox applies to the highlighted account.
Skipping the password confirmation. If you don’t enter your password in the pop-up, Windows won’t save the change.
Forgetting about the lock screen. Even after using netplwiz, the lock screen may still appear. You need to disable “Require sign-in” in Settings as shown above.
Using a Microsoft account with Windows Hello. If you have a PIN or biometric set up, Windows will still ask for it unless you remove those methods.

Tips

If you want to keep a password but skip the lock screen, just set “Require sign-in” to Never and leave your password enabled.
Consider using a local account if you don’t need Microsoft services – it makes auto-login simpler and more reliable.
If you have a tablet or touch device, disabling the password may make it easier to wake, but be aware of security trade-offs.
You can always re-enable the password by checking the box again in netplwiz.

Troubleshooting

The checkbox is grayed out or missing. This usually means you’re not signed in as an administrator. Sign in with an admin account, or ask the admin to change the setting for you.

Windows still asks for a password after following the steps. First, restart the PC – the change sometimes doesn’t take effect until a reboot. If it still asks, check that you unchecked the correct account and that you entered the password correctly in the confirmation dialog. Also ensure Windows Hello is fully removed.

The netplwiz window doesn’t show the checkbox. In some Windows 10 versions (especially after updates), the option is hidden. You can still enable auto-login via the registry, but that’s more advanced. A safer alternative is to use the “Sign-in options” in Settings to set “Require sign-in” to Never, which often works even when the checkbox is missing.

After disabling, the PC asks for a password when waking from sleep. That’s a separate setting. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and set “Require sign-in” to Never. If it’s already Never, check your power plan settings – some laptops have a “Require a password on wakeup” option in Control Panel > Power Options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this affect my Microsoft account security?

Yes, anyone who has physical access to your PC can get in without a password. Your online Microsoft account remains protected, but the device itself is open.

Can I still use a PIN after disabling the password?

No, if you remove the password requirement, Windows will not ask for a PIN either. You can keep the PIN set up, but it won’t be required at sign-in.

How do I turn the password back on?

Open netplwiz again, check the box “Users must enter a user name and password,” click Apply, and restart. You may also need to re-enable Windows Hello in Settings.

Does this work on Windows 11?

The netplwiz method works on Windows 11 as well, but the Settings location for “Require sign-in” is slightly different. This guide is specifically for Windows 10.

Why is the checkbox missing in netplwiz?

Microsoft has hidden it in some versions of Windows 10, especially if you’re using a Microsoft account. Try using the Settings method instead, or switch to a local account.

Will this speed up my PC’s startup?

It will save a few seconds because you don’t have to type your password, but it won’t significantly affect overall boot time.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →