X

Automatically log in to your Windows 10 PC

How to skip the log-in screen when you first boot up your computer.

Sarah Jacobsson Purewal Freelance Writer
Sarah is a freelance writer and CNET How To blogger. Her main focus is Windows, but she also covers everything from mobile tech to video games to DIY hardware projects. She likes to press buttons and see what happens, so don't let her near any control panels.
Sarah Jacobsson Purewal
dsc0040.jpg
Sarah Jacobsson Purewal/CNET

We showed you how to change your Windows 10 log-in screen to a solid color -- but what if you don't want to see the login screen at all?

Because Windows 10, like Windows 8, asks you to sign in with a Microsoft account, skipping the log-in screen isn't as simple as simply deleting your password. Instead, you'll need to dig into the User Accounts settings to get rid of this extra step.

For obvious reasons, you should only disable the log-in screen if you are using a nonshared computer that is unlikely to end up in someone else's hands (e.g., a desktop).

run-netplwiz.png
Sarah Jacobsson Purewal/CNET

1. Open the Run command box (Start > All apps > Windows System > Run or press Windows key + R). In the text box, type netplwiz and press Enter.

user-accounts.png
Sarah Jacobsson Purewal/CNET

2. A User Accounts window will open. Under Users for this computer: select your username and then uncheck the box next to Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer. Click Apply.

automatically-sign-in.png
Sarah Jacobsson Purewal/CNET

3. A new window labeled Automatically sign in will pop up. Type your password twice and then click OK.

sign-in-options.png
Sarah Jacobsson Purewal/CNET

Your computer will now bypass the log-in page when you turn on your PC, but it will not bypass the login page when you unlock your PC. You can also change your sign-in options so that Windows will never require you to sign in after your PC wakes from sleep by going to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.