There is another method to get rid of the password screen, but since it requires tampering with your PC’s registry, it is only recommended for more tech-savvy users:
- Launch Registry Editor by typing “regedit” (or “Regedit”) into the Start menu’s search bar. When the User Account Control (UAC) box appears simply hit “Yes”.
- Once the Registry Editor is running, navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
- Double-click on “DefaultUserName” in the right (bigger) box and make sure that your local account name or Microsoft username appears in the “Value data” box.
- Then look for the entry “DefaultPassword”, double-click on it and see whether the “Value data” box contains your password. If “DefaultPassword” entry doesn’t exist, create a new one by right-clicking on an empty space, then clicking New > String Value. Rename the new entry to DefaultPassword, enter your password into the aforementioned box and click OK.
- Check for the entry called “AutoAdminLogon”, change its value from 0 to 1, click OK, and then simply restart the computer.
Why is auto-login not recommended?
We know that booting time is crucial when using a computer, especially if the cache is littered with junk files and other unnecessary things, but the safety of your account should always come first. Although it is unlikely that a burglar would steal your computer, if the PC is a smaller one and is not password protected, then you can say goodbye to your most precious data and your online life.
The alternatives: Other login methods and password managers
The developers of Windows 10 realized that passwords can be tedious – especially long and complex ones – and that’s why the OS offers password alternatives, some of which are even better than just a ‘plain’ password. Depending on your choice it is possible to enter a 4-digit PIN code, display a picture and draw gesture commands (the so-called picture password) or even scan your fingerprint.
But there is a method for those who’d rather stick to good old passwords as well: password managers. Although these programs are mostly optimized for storing passwords related to online accounts – meaning that auto-filling the necessary credentials to OS login screens is not supported – the option of creating secure notes ensures that your Windows 10 password can be saved to a safe environment where nobody, not even the software’s developer, can decipher it. Additionally, these secure notes can also be used to store your Windows 10 license key, too, not to mention virtually all sorts of data, from ID documents and credit card credentials to online receipts and other software licenses.
Zoltán G.
Adam B.
