How to Enable or Disable Picture Password Sign-in in Windows 8

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to allow or prevent all users from being able to set up or sign-in with a picture password in Windows 8.

If you disable picture password sign-in, then users that had already created a picture password will now have to sign in to Windows 8 with their normal user account password instead.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

EXAMPLE: Picture Password Disabled in PC settings

OPTION ONE

Enable or Disable Picture Password Sign-in using a REG File Download

1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.

2. To Enable Picture Password Sign-in
NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.

Enable_Picture-Password_Sign-in.reg

B) Go to step 4 below.

3. To Disable Picture Password Sign-in

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.

Disable_Picture-Password_Sign-in.reg

B) Go to step 4 below.

4. Save the .reg file to the desktop.

5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it.

6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK.

7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

OPTION TWO

Enable or Disable Picture Password Sign-in in Local Group Policy Editor

NOTE: This option for using group policy is only available in the Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise editions.

1. From the Start screen, start typing gpedit.msc and press Enter when finished.
NOTE: You could also press Windows+R to open the Run dialog, type gpedit.msc, and click/tap on OK.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.



3. In the left pane, click/tap on to expand Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, and open Logon. (see screenshot below)

4. In the right pane of Logon, double click/tap on Turn off picture password sign-in. (see screenshot above)

5. Do step 6 or 7 below for what you would like to do.

6. To Enable Picture Password Sign-in

A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below step 7A)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.

7. To Disable Picture Password Sign-in

A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)

8. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor window if you like.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

• How to Create, Change, or Remove a Picture Password in Windows 8
• How to Relearn your Picture Password if Forgotten in Windows 8