Sign in - Show All Users or Last User in Windows 8

How to Always Show "All Users" or "Last User" at Sign in to Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

When you have more than one user account on the PC, this tutorial will show you how to always show either all users or only last user that signed out listed in the sign in (log on) screen of Windows 8 and 8.1 after a restart or shut down of the PC for all users.

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

   Note

When you are using the default setting to only have the last user that signed out listed in the sign in screen, and that user doesn't have a password, then Windows 8 will automatically sign in to that user account.

When you are using the default setting to only have the last user that signed out listed in the sign in screen, and that user does have a password, then Windows 8 will show only that last user in the sign in screen and you must click on the back arrow button to see all users.

   Tip

If you like, you could enable Ctrl+Alt+Delete secure sign-in instead to also see all users on the sign in screen instead of just the user that last signed off after you press Ctrl+Alt+Delete on the sign in (log on) screen.

CONTENTS:

• Option One: Always Show "All Users" or "Last User" using "Winaero User List Enabler"
• Option Two: Always Show "All Users" or "Last User" using Group Policy
• Option Three: Always Show "All Users" or "Last User" at Sign in using a Task

EXAMPLE: All Users and Last User Sign in for Windows 8 and 8.1

​

​

​

​

OPTION ONE

Always Show "All Users" or "Last User" using "Winaero User List Enabler"

   Note

If you used any of the other options in this tutorial, then be sure to undo them first before using this option.

​

1. Click/tap on the download button below to go to the WinAero site, then download the UserListEnabler.zip file to your desktop for the Winaero User List Enabler program.​

NOTE: You'll need to click on the gray download button at WinAero's site.​

​

​

​

2. Open the downloaded UserListEnabler.zip file, and extract (drag and drop) the Windows 8 x86 (32-bit) or Windows 8 x64 (64-bit) folder for your 32-bit or 64-bit Window 8 to your desktop. (see screenshot below)​

​

​

​

3. Open the extracted Windows 8 x86 (32-bit) or Windows 8 x64 (64-bit) folder, then unblock and run the UserListEnabler.exe file.​

​

4. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.​

​

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

​

6. To Always Show All Users in Windows 8 Sign in Screen​

​

A) Click/tap on the Enable user list option, and close Winaero User List Enabler. (see screenshots below)​

NOTE: If the option is grayed out, then it's already set to this.​

​

7. To Always Show Only Last User that Signed Out in Windows 8 Sign in Screen​

NOTE: This is the default setting.​

​

A) Click/tap on the Reset to defaults option, and close Winaero User List Enabler. (see screenshots below)​

NOTE: If the option is grayed out, then it's already set to this.​

​

​

​

OPTION TWO

Always Show "All Users" or "Last User" using Group Policy

   Note

If you used any of the other options in this tutorial, then be sure to undo them first before using this option.

​

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.​

​

2. In the left pane of group policy, click/tap on to expand User Configuration, Windows Settings, and Scripts (Logon/Logoff). (see screenshot below)​

​

​

​

3. In the right pane of Scripts (Logon/Logoff), double/click tap on Logon to edit it. (see screenshot above)​

​

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

​

​

5. To Always Show All Users in Windows 8/8.1 Sign in Screen​

​

A) In the Scripts tab, click/tap on the Add button. (see screenshot below)​

​

​

​

B) In the Script Name field, copy and paste the path below into it. (see screenshot below step 5C)​

​

C:\Windows\System32\reg.exe​

​

C) In the Script Parameters filed, copy and paste the command below into it, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​

ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\UserSwitch /V Enabled /T REG_dWORD /D 1 /F

​

​

​

​

D) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)​

​

​

6. To Always Show Only Last User that Signed Out in Windows 8/8.1 Sign in Screen​

NOTE: This is the default setting.​

​

A) In the Scripts tab, click/tap on the Remove button. (see screenshot below)​

​

​

​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)​

​

​

​

7. When finished, you can close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.​

OPTION THREE

Always Show "All Users" or "Last User" at Sign in using a Task

   Note

If you used any of the other options in this tutorial, then be sure to undo them first before using this option.

If you have an issue of standard users not being able to enter an administrators password in a UAC prompt after using step 3 below, then use step 4 below to fix it, and use either OPTION ONE or OPTION TWO above instead.

1. Press the :winkey: + R to open the Run dialog, type taskschd.msc, and click/tap on OK.

2. Do step 3 or step 4 below for what you would like to do.


3. To Always Show All Users in Windows 8/8.1 Sign in Screen

​

A) In Task Scheduler, click/tap on Task Scheduler Library in the far left pane, and click/tap on Create Task... in the far right "Actions" pane. (see screenshot below)​

​

​

​

B) In the General tab: (see screenshot below)​

​

• 
  [*=1]In the Name field, type in a name (ex: Sign-in,Users_List) you want for this task.
  [*=1]Under Security options, select (dot) Run whether user is logged on or not.
  [*=1]Under Security options, check the Run with highest privileges box.
  [*=1]In the Configure for menu, select your installed Windows (ex: Windows 8.1).

​

​

​

C) Click/tap on the Triggers tab, and click/tap on New. (see screenshot below)​

​

​

​

D) In the New Trigger settings: (see screenshot below)​

​

• 
  [*=1]In the Begin the task menu, select At log on.
  [*=1]Under Settings, select (dot) Any user.
  [*=1]Under Advanced settings, check the Enabled box.
  [*=1]Click/tap on OK.

​

​

E) In the Triggers tab, and click/tap on New again. (see screenshot below step 3C)​

​

F) In the New Trigger settings: (see screenshot below)​

​

• 
  [*=1]In the Begin the task menu, select At startup.
  [*=1]Under Advanced settings, check the Enabled box.
  [*=1]Click/tap on OK

​

​

G) In the Triggers tab, and click/tap on New again. (see screenshot below step 3C)​

​

H) In the New Trigger settings: (see screenshot below)​

​

• 
  [*=1]In the Begin the task menu, select On workstation unlock.
  [*=1]Under Settings, select (dot) Any user.
  [*=1]Under Advanced settings, check the Enabled box.
  [*=1]Click/tap on OK.

​

​

I) Click/tap on the Actions tab, and click/tap on New. (see screenshot below)​

​

​

​

J) In the New Action settings: (see screenshot below)​

​

• 
  [*=1]In the Action menu, select Start a program.
  [*=1]In the Program/script field, copy and paste C:\Windows\System32\reg.exe.
  [*=1]In the Add arguments field, copy and paste this below, and click/tap on OK.

ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\UserSwitch /V Enabled /T REG_dWORD /D 1 /F

​

​

​

K) Click/tap on the Conditions tab, and: (see screenshot below)​

​

• 
  [*=1]Uncheck the lower Stop if the computer switches to battery power check box first.
  [*=1]Uncheck the upper Start the task only if the computer is on AC power check box second.
  [*=1]Click/tap on OK.

​

​

​

L) Type in the correct password for your user account in Windows, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​

​

​

​

M) Close Task Scheduler.​

​

N) Check to make sure that you have checked the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer check box to not have Windows automatically sign in to a user account at startup. This way you will see all users on the sign in screen instead. (see screenshot below)​

​

For how, see: How to Automatically Sign in to User Account at Startup in Windows 8 and 8.1​

​

​

​

O) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 5 below.​

​

All_Users_Sign-in.reg​

​

​

​

4. To Always Show Only Last User that Signed Out in Windows 8/8.1 Sign in Screen
NOTE: This is the default setting. This is to undo step 3 above.

​

A) In Task Scheduler, click/tap on Task Scheduler Library in the far left pane, click/tap on the task name (ex: Sign-in_Users_List) in the middle pane that you created in step 3 above, and click/tap on Delete in the far right "Actions" pane. (see screenshot below)​

​

​

​

B) Click/tap on Yes to confirm, and close Task Scheduler. (see screenshot below)​

​

​

​

C) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 5 below.​

​

Last_User_Sign-in.reg​

​

​

5. Save the .reg file to your Desktop.

6. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

7. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

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





That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Sign in to Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Require Users to Sign in with User Name and Password in Windows 8 and 8.1
• Require Users to Sign in with User Name and Password on Lock Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Change Background Color of Default Sign-in Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Change Start and Sign in Screen Background and Color in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Sign in to a User Account Automatically at Startup in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Enable or Disable Password Protection on Wakeup in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How Enable or Disable Secure Sign-in with Ctrl+Alt+Delete in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Enable or Disable the Lock Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
• Enable or Disable Screen Saver Password Protection in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Display Information about Previous Logons during User Sign-in to Windows 8 and 8.1

 

[Brink]

As a test, create a password for the account to see if it works properly then.

 

[xireeopliex]

As a test, create a password for the account to see if it works properly then.

Hi Brink,

Just tried this and still no luck. Also tried changing the account from an standard to an admin account.

I also deleted the account with no password on, setup a new one as an admin, WITH a password, and still, when that account reboots it goes back to that account on the login screen, not showing all accounts as it should.

 

[Brink]

I must admit that I'm not sure why it's not working for you since I can't reproduce what you are experiencing. I tested OPTION ONE in Windows 8 and a Windows 8.1 Enterprise, and it still worked for them without issue.

 

[mishtu]

If I follow OPTION TWO, the lock screen stops working (not the default lock screen). Once any one the VBS is run, it does its job but makes the lock screen non working. The lock screen doesn't appear when I lock the account, the login screen is shown instead of the lock screen. The only way to get it back was a system restore. Then I had to follow option one.

 

[Brink]

Hello Mishtu, and welcome to Eight Forums.

When you lock the PC ( :winkey: + L) after using step 2 in OPTION TWO, it will show the sign in screen first instead of your lock screen. The lock screen will show about 1 minute later if left idle though.

 

[mishtu]

Oh I see, so can't that be instantaneous? Like the way it behaves by default? (Lock screen is immediately displayed upon pressing :winkey: + L)

 

[Brink]

So far not with it set to show "All Users".

 

[mishtu]

OK, no problem Brink, I follow the option 1 and it behaves the way I want

Thanks for the tutorial btw.

BTW, this auto sign-in feature is way too irritating :/
And there's that Default lock screen that we can't customise (had to follow your tut). M$ is too stupid! :/

 

[Brink]

You're welcome.

 

[Dick Jagger]

Does this work in combination with having user accounts set to log on automatically? I'd like to have the login screen presented at start up with all user accounts shown, then select any of them to log on without entering a password. Thanks.

 

[Brink]

Hello Dick,

I'm afraid not. If you set Windows to automatically sign in to a user account at startup, you will not see the sign in screen at all.

You should be able to have the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box checked from the link above, then set to have all users show on the sign in screen in this tutorial. If the user accounts do not have a password, then when you click on that user icon, it will automatically sign in to the account.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Dick Jagger]

Hello Dick,

I'm afraid not. If you set Windows to automatically sign in to a user account at startup, you will not see the sign in screen at all.

You should be able to have the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box checked from the link above, then set to have all users show on the sign in screen in this tutorial. If the user accounts do not have a password, then when you click on that user icon, it will automatically sign in to the account.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

OK, thanks, I think I've got it. I may want to have the accounts not require a password then. If the other user accounts are set to not require a password, would they then still be logged in to their Microsoft, Outlook and other mail accounts?

 

[Brink]

A Microsoft account requires a password and cannot be removed.

If you they are local accounts, then you can remove the password. They will not be able to sign in to those email account in the Mail app since it requires a Microsoft account, but they could sign in to them online though.

Personally, it would be a security risk not having and passwords for the user accounts. Anyone could have full access.

 

[Dick Jagger]

A Microsoft account requires a password and cannot be removed.

If you they are local accounts, then you can remove the password. They will not be able to sign in to those email account in the Mail app since it requires a Microsoft account, but they could sign in to them online though.

Personally, it would be a security risk not having and passwords for the user accounts. Anyone could have full access.

Thanks. I've now got 4-digit PINs set up for each user account, so that at start up, there is the login in screen with each user presented. Works pretty good.

 

[Brink]

Great news.

 

[notbillgates]

Hello,

I have read through this thread a few times and tried all of the suggestions multiple times.

I decided to start all over with a clean installation of Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit, and the problem I have persists: I cannot seem to get all users to be listed at sign-in.

Either I get signed in automatically, or there appears a screen with "Other user". On that screen I need to type in my account name (or that of another user), and then I can proceed.

Might there be something added (or missing) in a Windows installation that could cause this? Could some other setting or configuration in Windows (other than those mentioned here, as I've taken care of them) prevent the user enabler from working?

Maybe I've missed something obvious. I'm at a complete loss and would appreciate any other thoughts and ideas as to what to try next.

 

[Brink]

Hello notbill, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Since you see "Other User", see if this below may the issue.

Logon Screen - Fix Showing Only "Other User" and Last Logged On User - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[notbillgates]

Hello Brink,

I'm calling it a night for now, but I tried your suggestion above to no avail.

There was no "Default" key in the registry. The one key I deleted had a username of "Updateus" or "Updatusall"--something like that. I deleted it, but there is no change in my sign-in screen.

I get a screen with "Other User" (nothing else, just that, as before).

Thanks for suggestion. Have you other ideas about this?

Thanks

 

[Brink]

As a test, make sure that all user accounts have a password to see how it behaves afterwards.

Is this computer joined to a domain?

 

[notbillgates]

A last entry for the evening here.

I added passwords, but nothing changed.

The computer is not joined to a domain.

The closest I ever get to seeing all users on a screen is when I sign out of an account. Then I get all three users on there, and I can click on one.

But if I shutdown or restart, it's back the "Other User" screen--this is with the "Do not display last user name" enabled in the group policy editor.

If I disable the "Do not display last user name", then I get logged in to whatever account I was using.

It seems that none of this should make a difference with the "user list enabler" set to show everyone (and I do have the option for users needing to enter a password" in the netplwiz).

Thanks again for your time in looking into this.