Auto login

Guide to enabling automatic login so Windows boots directly to the desktop without asking for a password or PIN.

Method 1: Netplwiz (Legacy Method)

Note: In newer Windows versions, you must first disable "Windows Hello Requirement" for this to work.

Step 1: Disable Windows Hello Requirement

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
2. Turn OFF "For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts".
3. (If you don't see this checkbox, go to Registry: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device and set DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion to 0).

Step 2: Configure Netplwiz

1. Press Win + R, type netplwiz, press Enter.
2. Uncheck "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer".
3. Click Apply.
4. Enter the exact username and password of the account you want to auto-login.
5. Click OK.
6. Restart to test.

Method 2: Sysinternals Autologon (Easiest)

Microsoft provides a tiny tool to do this securely (encrypting the password in the registry).

1. Download Autologon from Microsoft Sysinternals.
2. Run Autologon.exe.
3. Accept the EULA.
4. Enter your Username, Domain (or PC name), and Password.
5. Click Enable.
6. Done!

To disable, just run it again and click Disable.

Method 3: Registry Editor (Manual)

If you can't use tools.

1. Open Registry Editor (regedit).
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
3. Change (or create String values for) the following:
   • AutoAdminLogon = 1
   • DefaultUserName = YourUsername
   • DefaultPassword = YourPassword
   • DefaultDomainName = YourPCName (or Domain name)
4. Restart.

⚠️ Warning: The registry method stores your password in plain text. Method 2 (Sysinternals) is safer as it encrypts it.

Troubleshooting

"It asks for password anyway"

• You likely entered the credentials wrong in netplwiz.
• Or you didn't disable the Windows Hello requirement.

"Two duplicate users on login screen"

• This happens if you used netplwiz on a Microsoft Account but entered the username wrong (e.g., using email instead of user ID or vice versa).
• Undo netplwiz changes (check the box again) and try Method 2.