Monday, June 17, 2013

Windows 8: Disabling the Lock Screen

In Windows 8 the lock screen is enabled by default. For some people this is an annoyance rather then a feature. If you want to disable this feature and display the Start screen automatically when you turn on the computer, follow the instructions below:
  • Open the Start screen, or press WinKey+R to open the Run command dialog 
  • Type "netplwiz.exe" press enter, or launch the app when it is displayed. 
  • Select the user account you want to automatically be logged into. 
  • Uncheck the item: Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer
  • Press the OK button, you'll be prompted to enter the password twice. 
Next time when you start up the computer, you will not be prompted with a password. To re-enable the lock screen just run the program netplwiz.exe again, and re-check the item: Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer, and then press the OK button.

Note: If you use this feature, your password will be stored in the registry as plain text.

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