Log On User Account Automatically at Windows 8 Startup

How to Automatically Sign in to User Account at Startup in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

This will show you how to have Windows 8 or 8.1 sign in to a local user account or Microsoft account of your choice automatically at startup without the user needing to enter a user name and password.

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

   Note

If you only have one user account on the computer that is not password protected, then Windows 8 will automatically log on to that account at startup by default.

   Warning

If you change the password for the local account or Microsoft account that you have Windows 8 set to sign in to automatically at startup, then you will need to turn off automatic log on for this user, and turn it back on to enter the new password.

If you connect though RDP (remote desktop), have automatic log in set on for your MS account and change it to a local account, then you can't sign in. RDP prompts for your user and password but doesn't accept the new one on the Windows log-in screen. You need to sign in directly (not through RDP) and turn off automatic log on for the user, and turn it back on to enter the new password.

   Tip

You may also wish to set:

How to Enable or Disable Password Protection on Wakeup in Windows 8

How to Enable or Disable Screen Saver Password Protection in Windows 7 and Windows 8

How to Require a Password after Display is Off for Specified Time in Windows 8.1

EXAMPLE: Windows 8 Sign in Screen

OPTION ONE

To Turn On or Off Automatic Sign-in at Startup in Netplwiz

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1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box, type netplwiz or control userpasswords2, and press Enter.​

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

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

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4. To Turn On Automatic Sign in for a Local User Account or Microsoft Account​

NOTE: You could also use this step to change what user account you would like Windows 8 to sign-in to automatically at startup.​

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A) Check the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box. (see screenshot below step 3)​

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   Note

Is your PC is a member of a domain by chance, then the "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer." box will not be available.

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B) Select the User Name of the local user account or Microsoft account that you want to have Windows 8 log on to automatically at startup. (see screenshot above)​

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   Note

If this is for a Microsoft account, then you do not want to select the one that is only a member of the HomeUsers group. You would want to select the one listed that is part of both the HomeUsers and Administrators or Users group instead.

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C) Uncheck the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 3)​

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D) Enter the password of the selected local user account or Microsoft account twice, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​

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   Note

If the selected local user account does not have a password created for it, then leave the password fields empty. Microsoft accounts will always have a password.

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5. To Turn Off Automatic Sign in for All Users​

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A) Check the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 3)​

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OPTION TWO

To Turn On or Off Automatic Sign-in at Startup in Registry Editor

   Warning

This option is not as secure as using OPTION ONE above.

It is recommended to use OPTION ONE above if you are able to instead. OPTION ONE will save the password in the Credential Manager where it's encrypted and cannot be viewed by anyone.

This option (OPTION TWO) will save the entered password (steps 4G-4H) in the DefaultPassword string value in Registry Editor where it can be seen by anyone with access.

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

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2. In Registry Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)​

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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon​

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

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4. To Turn On Automatic Sign in for a Domain, Local, or Microsoft Account​

NOTE: You could also use this step to change what user account you would like Windows 8 to sign-in to automatically at startup.​

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A) In the right pane on Winlogon, double click/tap on the AutoAdminLogon string value to modify it. (see screenshot below step 2)​

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B) Type 1, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​

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C) Double click/tap on the DefaultDomainName string value to modify it. (see screenshot below step 2)​

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D) Type the computer name (if local) or domain name, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​

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E) Double click/tap on the DefaultUserName string value to modify it. (see screenshot below step 2)​

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F) Type the user name (ex: Shawn) of the account you want to automatically be signed in to at startup, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​

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NOTE: This will be the same name as the user account's C:\Users\(UserName) profile folder.​

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G) Double click/tap on the DefaultPassword string value to modify it. (see screenshot below step 2)​

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NOTE: If you do not have a DefaultPassword string value, then right click or press and hold on an empty area in the right pane of the Winlogon key, click/tap on New and String Value, type DefaultPassword, and press Enter.​

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H) Type the password of the user account you want to automatically be signed in to at startup, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​

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I) Go to step 6 below.​

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5. To Turn Off Automatic Sign in for All Users​

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A) In the right pane on Winlogon, double click/tap on the AutoAdminLogon string value to modify it. (see screenshot below step 2)​

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B) Type 0 (zero), and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 4B)​

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C) Right click or press and hold on the DefaultPassword string value, and click/tap on Delete. (see screenshot below step 2)​

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NOTE: If you do not have a DefaultPassword string value, then that's ok, and go to step 6 below.​

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D) Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)​

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E) Go to step 6 below.​

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6. When finished, close Registry Editor.​

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Temporarily Bypass Automatic Logon at Startup in Windows
• How to Enable or Disable Password Protection on Wakeup in Windows 8 and 8.1
• Enable or Disable Screen Saver Password Protection in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Require a Password after Display is Off for Specified Time in Windows 8.1
• How to Sign in to Windows 8 and 8.1
• How Enable or Disable Secure Sign-in with Ctrl+Alt+Delete in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a Password for a User Account in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Change or Remove a Local Account Password in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Change or Reset Password of Your Microsoft Account in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Always Show "All Users" or "Last User" at Sign in for Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Require Users to Sign in with User Name and Password in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Go to Desktop or Start when You Sign in or Close Apps in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Boot Directly to Desktop using a Scheduled Task in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Turn On or Off Automatic Log On for a Remote Desktop Connection
• How to Display Information about Previous Logons during User Sign-in to Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Add or Remove Fingerprints for Your Account in Windows 8.1

 

[mshaugh]

Thank you

Just wanted to say Thanks Brink. I spent hours trying to get Windows 8 to log in without a password. Then I stumbled onto your fix. Can't thank you enough.

 

[Brink]

Glad it could help mshaugh, and welcome to Eight Forums.

 

[jacatdilly]

The autologon is working great on Win8.1, but now I have a problem.
If I try advanced startup, it fails and gives a Runtime Error box.
"Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Runtime Error!
Program: C:\Windows\system32\LogonUI.exe
This application bla bla bla.."
Restarts back to desktop.
Any idea what I did wrong?
I really don't want to drag the old recovery disc out,
when the recovery files reside on the hidden recovery partition already.

 

[Brink]

Hello Jacatdilly,

Did you try to customize the log on screen by modifying the logonUI.exe file with say a program like Resource Hacker by chance?

For now you might see if running a sfc /scannow command may help.

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

 

[jacatdilly]

Never played around with logon screen.
I do have Resource Hacker installed, and now uninstalled.
Luckily I only used it to open a skin file from Classic Start Menu.

Took awhile to figure out how to get command promt to work at boot,
as I had no way to boot into it, until I used bootuituner from Winaero.
Even then, there seems to be different command promt programs,
that show system reserved partition like in Disk Management, where it shows no drive letter, or another one showing as C
Tried the sfc /scannow. Freaky, the the Windows system partition shows letter E instead of C as in Disk Managment?
Anyway, It did a long check and said did not find any integrity violations.

After upgrading to 8.1, I didn't realize the system reset to fast startup option, that I had turned off last October,
due to hard drive errors from multibooting different systems.
Have to give thanks to you Shawn, for your page way back, on turning off fast startup when multibooting.
Yes I did get errors and wonder if that messed up the login in some way, this time ?

Did a test for autologon, on different hard drive.
I recently made a fresh no programs, reset copy on another drive of 8.1.
I made it local. Today I put in a password, made auto logon. I tried the advanced startup-Dang-works perfectly.

So my original 8to 8.1 drive has a years worth of programs on it, that I really don't want to reinstall on the fresh drive unless I have to.
I will definitly use the bootuituner workaround for the short term.
Thanks for your help. I will google for awhile to see if anybody has same issue.

 

[jacatdilly]

"Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Runtime Error!
Program: C:\Windows\system32\LogonUI.exe"
Hi an update, and closer, to show if one keeps at it, a solution will be found.
I did the google and did what others did, and either deleted LogonUI.exe,
and made computer try to restart in repair mode.-Failed,
or replaced with a good file from a working system-still bad.
Gave up and did a refresh. It works.
As I slowly installed the desktop programs, I repeatedly checked if advanced startup still works-Yes.
Until I installed a large blue tooth program. Then I got back the same errror box.
Uninstalled, restarted, checked, installed,etc.
Yep, that was the problem.
Auto logon is now A-OK
I love Windows la la la la la

 

[Brink]

I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.

 

[ross88]

User Account--Passwords Win 8.0 VS 8.1 at Startup
Using instructions found on this forum 8/5/13 (Thank You) I changed my Laptop PC with Windows 8.0 to Log On to a user account Automatically at Startup. It worked great, Thanks again. However, On 10/23 and again 10/25/13 with the aid of a MS Tech remotely in control of my PC, "we" finally upgraded my PC to Windows 8.1.(Long story) Now the Auto-Startup that was working great will not work at all. Luckily I had written my password in my log book. Help, how can I get rid of this log on and password at startup using Windows 8.1?
Ross88

 

[Brink]

Hello Ross,

It sounds like you may need to start over with the tutorial to re-enter your current password.

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

 

[Tinyman]

Brink, another great tutorial, but.... I changed the settings per the example, everything seemed ok, I restarted and it logged me in as expected, but then it took me to the desktop and opened up all of my external hard drives. I then changed the setting back to requiring a password and still the same result. I have restarted several times and still the same condition.

Tinyman

 

[Brink]

Hello Tinyman,

Not sure what's causing the hard drives to be opened up like that. Please go ahead and create a separate thread for that issue since it's not related to the this tutorial for better support.

 

[wildbio2000]

Brink,
I think I selected the wrong account now I cannot get back to login as admin. Anytime I try to do something that requires admin permissions I get a popup asking for a smartcard and asking to enter my admin password but no field area to enter a password. Please help. This is a new computer but I don't want to have to setup everything again. Thanks. I've tried manually logging out and back in but this is not working. The auto login is working great except for not being an admin.

 

[Brink]

Hello Wildbio, and welcome to Eight Forums.

No worries. You could use the method in the tutorial below to temporarily bypass the automatic sign in at startup to be able to select the account you want to sign in to instead. You'll need to be fast to do this though. Afterwards, you could set the automatic sign in settings to the correct account.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/20360-log-automatically-startup-bypass-windows.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[wildbio2000]

Thanks for the quick response! I tried this and I am only showing one account (windows live). I logged in and it is still not allowing me to change any setting/add programs. Not really sure what to do now. Thanks bro.

 

[Brink]

In that case, you might see if doing a system restore using a restore point (if available) dated before you had this issue may be able to help.

 

[sheryltoo]

I just got a new computer with Windows 8.1 yesterday, although after setting everything up I realized they sent me a non touchscreen model and that's not what I wanted so I'll be getting a new one and want to know if I can by pass the username and password when I set up this new one or do I have to create a username and password and then follow your instructions to prevent me having to sign in every time I turn on the computer?

 

[Brink]

Hello Sheryl, and welcome to Eight Forums.

You would still have to set up a user account on it, but it's your choice if you wanted to setup a "Microsoft account" or "local account". If you wanted a "local account", then the easiest way to do so at setup would be to not be connected to the internet during setup. If you don't use a Microsoft account (email address), then you will not be able to use the Store or any apps (ex: Mail, SkyDrive) that use a Microsoft service.

Either way, you could use this tutorial to have Windows 8/8.1 sign in to it automatically at startup if you like.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[sheryltoo]

Thanks. It will be a few weeks before my new computer comes so I can't check things out until then. I just figured I'd make sure any of the problems I encountered first time around don't happen with the replacement computer.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. If you have any other questions, then please feel free to ask.

 

[yager]

Hello Brink,
first thank you on all your tutorials, they are really useful.

I have problem with this.
I have add local account and I am using only local account, but everytime I´m turning on my PC it fails to login im direct to windows. It fails cause in username it enters my PC name(name that is in C:\User), not the name I have chosen for my local account.

This screen I got, when I click OK I am prompted to enter my username and password(and username here is stated one from C:\User)

Only possible solutions I have think is to make local account with name that is used in C:\User