It can be a convenient feature if you’re the sole user of your PC or if you want to bypass the login screen to save time. This guide will walk you through the steps to enable auto login on your Windows 10 system, covering different methods and considerations to ensure that you can choose the best option for your needs.

Why Enable Auto Login?

Auto login is useful in scenarios where:

  • You’re the only one using the computer, and security is not a concern.
  • You want your computer to boot up and be ready to use without the need to enter a password.
  • You’re setting up a media center PC or other device where convenience and ease of access are more important than security.

However, it’s important to note that enabling auto login can pose a security risk, as anyone who has physical access to your PC can also access your files and data.

Method 1: Using the User Accounts Settings

This is the most straightforward method for enabling auto login in Windows 10.

  1. Open the Run dialog box: Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Open the User Accounts window: Type netplwiz and press Enter. This will open the User Accounts window.
  3. Disable the password requirement: In the User Accounts window, select your user account and uncheck the box that says “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.”
  4. Enter your password: A prompt will appear asking you to enter and confirm your password. After doing so, click OK.
  5. Restart your computer: To apply the changes, restart your computer. Windows should now log you in automatically without prompting for a password.

Method 2: Editing the Registry

If the first method doesn’t work, you can enable auto login by editing the Windows Registry. This method requires careful attention, as incorrect changes to the registry can cause system issues.

  1. Open the Registry Editor: Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to the Winlogon key:
    • Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.
  3. Modify the registry values:
    • DefaultUserName: Double-click on DefaultUserName and ensure your username is correct.
    • DefaultPassword: If this value doesn’t exist, create it by right-clicking in the right pane, selecting New > String Value, and naming it DefaultPassword. Double-click on it and enter your password.
    • AutoAdminLogon: Double-click on AutoAdminLogon, change the value to 1, and click OK.
  4. Close the Registry Editor: Exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer. Your PC should now log in automatically.

Method 3: Using Group Policy Editor (Pro and Enterprise Editions)

If you’re using Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, you can also use the Group Policy Editor to enable auto login.

  1. Open the Group Policy Editor: Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to the Logon policies:
    • Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Logon.
  3. Enable auto login:
    • Find and double-click on the policy titled “Always use classic logon.” Set it to “Enabled” and click OK.
  4. Restart your computer: After applying this policy, restart your computer to see the changes in effect.

Considerations and Potential Issues

  • Security Risks: Enabling auto login means anyone with physical access to your computer can use it without restriction. Consider this risk, especially if your computer contains sensitive information.
  • Password Changes: If you change your password, you’ll need to update the settings for auto login using the above methods.
  • Domain-Joined PCs: If your PC is part of a domain, some of these methods may not work, or your organization may have policies in place that prevent auto login.

How to Disable Windows 10 Auto Login

If you ever need to disable auto login, simply reverse the steps you followed to enable it:

  • User Accounts Settings: Check the box that says “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.”
  • Registry Editor: Change AutoAdminLogon value to 0.
  • Group Policy Editor: Set the “Always use classic logon” policy to “Not Configured.”

Disabling auto login will restore the need to enter your password when starting up your computer.

What to do if none of these techniques work

In some cases, you may run into a situation where the checkbox for users requiring to enter a password (shown in the first example) is missing.

The registry method may not work either. Restoring the checkbox option to turn off the requirement for a password for your account is key for this to work effectively.

To fix this, open the Windows Command Prompt window (right-click the Start Menu icon and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Powershell (Admin) ) and enter the following:

reg ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device" /v DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

After you press enter, this command will change a registry setting for you, allowing the checkbox for users to always enter a password to return.

Follow the first method again, and automatic login will work as it should with every login.

I recommend reading why Windows 11 keeps logging you out if you want to know more about fixing unexpected logouts.

Conclusion

Enabling auto login in Windows 10 can be a handy feature for certain scenarios, but it’s important to weigh the convenience against potential security risks. Whether you choose to use the User Accounts settings, Registry Editor, or Group Policy Editor, the process is relatively straightforward, but should be done with care, particularly when modifying the registry.