Windows 10/11 Auto Login: Complete Guide to Automatic Sign In

Penny Warren Published on February 06, 2026Windows Tips3-min reading

Both automatic sign-in and daily use on a trusted computer may be made easier, but account security is also impacted. This tutorial presents a description of Windows 11 auto login in a combination of technical background and experience. It describes the mechanism of startup authentication and some of the limited options. Each of the supported methods is explained step by step in the sections that follow, and limitations, as well as security considerations, are explained.

In this article:

Part 1. Set Up Windows Auto Login Using Netplwiz
Part 2. Set Up Windows Auto Login Using the Registry Editor
Part 3. Set Up Windows Auto Login Using Command Line / PowerShell
Part 4. Windows 10 Auto Login Without Password - Is It Possible?

Part 1. Set Up Windows Auto Login Using Netplwiz

Netplwiz is the simplest built-in tool for enabling Windows 10 auto login on a personal computer. It allows Windows to sign in to a user account automatically during startup by storing account credentials. This approach performs on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, but it requires password-based sign-in.

Before you begin, make sure Windows Hello is disabled. Automatic login does not work with PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition. Go to Settings, then Accounts, then Sign-in options, and remove all Windows Hello methods. You will need your account password to continue.

Step 1

Hit the Windows key and R together to open the Run dialog. Type netplwiz and press Enter. The User Accounts window will appear.

Step 2

In the Users tab, select the account you want to sign in automatically. Double-check the selection if the system has multiple profiles.

Step 3

Uncheck the option labeled Users must enter a user name and password to use it. Click Apply. If the checkbox is missing, Windows Hello or enhanced security is still enabled and must be turned off.

Step 4

When prompted, confirm the username if needed, then enter the password and confirm it. Click OK, then click OK again to close all windows. Restart the computer to apply the change.

After reboot, Windows will bypass the sign-in screen and load directly into the selected account. To turn off auto login later, reopen Netplwiz and re-enable the password requirement option.

Part 2. Set Up Windows Auto Login Using the Registry Editor

The Registry Editor gives more control over the startup authentication, where the other tools are not available. This technique allows Windows auto login, where the system is trained to log in with stored credentials. Since the Registry is used to regulate the behavior of core systems, care should be taken during changes. You should also disable Windows Hello and even preserve the Registry before you commence, so that you do not encounter any problems with configuration.

Step 1

Hit the Windows key and R together to open the Run dialog. Type regedit and press Enter. Select Yes when prompted to allow changes.

Step 2

In the left panel, go to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon

Step 3

In the right pane, locate DefaultUserName and double-click it. Enter the exact user name of the account that should sign in automatically, then click OK. If only one account exists, this value may already be set.

Step 4

Locate DefaultPassword and double-click it. If the entry does not exist, right-click an empty area, select New, then String Value, and name it DefaultPassword. Enter the account password and click OK. For Microsoft accounts, use the full account password.

Step 5

Double-click AutoAdminLogon and set the Value data to 1. Click OK, then close the Registry Editor.

Restart the computer. On the next startup, Windows will bypass the sign-in screen and load directly to the desktop. To turn off automatic login later, return to the same location and change AutoAdminLogon to 0 or remove the DefaultPassword entry.

Part 3. Set Up Windows Auto Login Using Command Line / PowerShell

For users who prefer command-line methods, you can enable automatic sign-in by directly modifying the Registry with Command Prompt or PowerShell. This is effective when used by sophisticated users/ administrators who may wish to automate more than one device. You should also ensure that Windows Hello is turned off, as well as know your account details, before you start.

Step 1

Press the Windows key, type cmd or PowerShell, right-click the result, and select Run as Administrator. Administrative access is required to edit system Registry keys.

Step 2

Enter the following command, replacing YourUsername with the account name to log in automatically:

reg add "HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon" /v DefaultUserName /t REG_SZ /d YourUsername /f

Step 3

Enter this command, replacing YourPassword with your account password:

reg add "HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon" /v DefaultPassword /t REG_SZ /d YourPassword /f

Step 4

Type the following command and press Enter:

reg add "HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon" /v AutoAdminLogon /t REG_SZ /d 1 /f

Step 5

Upon reboot, Windows will automatically log into the desktop without the sign-in screen. Turning off automatic login later is a command that may be run as:

reg add "HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon" /v AutoAdminLogon /t REG_SZ /d 0 /f

You can also delete the DefaultPassword entry for improved security.

This method provides a reliable way to set up auto-login for the Windows 11 registry, working for both local and Microsoft accounts. Always double-check your credentials before applying these commands to avoid sign-in problems like being unable to log in on Windows 10.

Part 4. Windows 10 Auto Login Without Password - Is It Possible?

Even when using Netplwiz to set up automatic login, you must enter your account password at least once. This is a built-in security requirement, so Windows cannot configure auto login without an initial password entry.

The only way to achieve a truly bypass Windows 11 login screen is by removing the account password entirely. Doing this allows Windows to start and log in without any credential prompts, but it introduces security risks, especially on shared or networked devices.

Best Approach to Reset or Remove Account Passwords on Windows

For a safer and more controlled approach, third-party tools such as imyPass Windows Password Reset can help. These tools enable you to delete or reset the passwords of the accounts without corrupting the system files, and it is easy to enable password-free logins and, at the same time, have control of the device.

Free Download

This method provides a reliable way to achieve auto sign-in on Windows 11 while minimizing risks and avoiding repeated password entry at startup.

Conclusion

Automatic sign-in allows saving time and making access easier on personal devices, but one should not ignore the importance of convenience and security. Regardless of which tool you use: Netplwiz, the Registry Editor, Command Prompt, or PowerShell, all of them are based on the proper storage of your credentials.

Being aware of the restrictions, including the necessity to enter a password once or the dangers of its complete elimination, will make the implementation safe. For anyone seeking a streamlined experience, these steps provide reliable guidance for enabling Windows auto logon while maintaining control over account access.

Penny Warren

Penny is a senior editor from imyPass. She has focused on discovering perfect GPS location solutions in all scenarios, and also has experience in fixing computers.