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

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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.

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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.​

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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)​

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

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

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

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

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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.​

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

NOTE: This is the default setting.​

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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.​

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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.

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1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.​

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

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

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

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

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

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

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C:\Windows\System32\reg.exe​

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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

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

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

NOTE: This is the default setting.​

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

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

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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

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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)​

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

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  [*=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).

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

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

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  [*=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.

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

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

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

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

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

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  [*=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.

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

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

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  [*=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

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

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  [*=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.

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

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M) Close Task Scheduler.​

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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)​

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

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

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All_Users_Sign-in.reg​

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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.

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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)​

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

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

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Last_User_Sign-in.reg​

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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]

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.

The "Other User" is indeed from "Do not display last user name", so disable it to not have it anymore.

Odd. When you restart or shut down the computer, you should see the sign in screen if all accounts are password protected. Are you actually being signed in to the last account, or just it's sign in screen is showing after a restart/shutdown?

Double check to see if you have any group policies enabled that may be affecting this.

Group Policy Editor - Quickly View Enabled Policies in Windows - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[notbillgates]

Things are closer to what I'm looking for now.

I disabled "Do not display last user name".

The three accounts I have set up in Windows are password-protected.

Before the password protection, I would actually get signed in and taken to the desktop of whatever account issued the shutdown or restart command.

Now, with the password protection, I get taken to the sign-in screen of the account that issued the shutdown or restart command, so I enter a password and I'm taken into the account.

I can click the arrow pointing left (to the left of my account name) to see all the users, but it doesn't show them all automatically.

I'm not aware of anything I have enabled/disabled in the group policy editor that could be causing my problem.

I'll list below what is listed as enabled/disabled that differs from whatever is the default setting.

Administrator account status (enabled)
Rename administrator account (done--acct. has been renamed)
*Do not require CTRL+ALT+DEL (enabled)*
Do not display the lock screen (enabled)

I don't know whether this is relevant, but in the PC Settings|Privacy, I have this:
Let apps access my name . . . (off)

PC Settings|Accounts|Sign-in options:
Password is not required when waking PC from sleep

Speaking of sleep, the sleep/hibernation functions have been removed/disabled (using powercgf -h off).

Are there other places I should look or check?

Thanks

 

[Brink]

Ok, good. It sounds like you are back to default now.

See if using step 7 in OPTION ONE to always show all users on the sign in screen will work properly now.

 

[notbillgates]

Running the userlistenabler showed that I already had "Show all users" enabled. I clicked it to run the default so that only the last user would be shown. I restarted and I got my sign-in screen where I needed to enter my password to login.

I then ran the userlistenabler to show all users, restarted, and got the same sign-in screen--mine. It's as before. Whatever account issues the shutdown or restart command is the one that's shown, regardless of the setting in userlistenabler.

I want to mention that on a single occasion--after I wrote reply #61 to this thread--when I turned on the computer, I got the sign-in screen with all users listed. I selected an account, logged in, restarted, but then got the usual sign-in screen with a single user listed.

Could something else be interfering with showing all users at startup?

 

[Brink]

Could be. What other modifications have you made?

 

[notbillgates]

I use ccleaner (known as "CrapCleaner" years ago), but nothing there seems like it could interfere with what I want to do, especially in light of the fact that on a different machine (a desktop), everything works fine.

Part of me wonders whether being on a laptop has anything to do with this, though I can't think of why, especially since nothing of the OEM software is on the machine. I took delivery of the machine, opened it up, installed more RAM and replaced a hard disk drive with an SSD, and turned it on just to see what everything looked like. I then inserted a Windows 8.1 Pro installation disk to install the new OS (laptop came with Windows 8). Everything that was on the C drive was wiped/overwritten/deleted upon the new OS install.

Remaining on the system drive (C) is a 401 MB unallocated partition and a 100 MB EFI system partition.

I see an entry of a scheduled task called "No auto sign in of last user" with this registry key:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\UserSwitch/vEnabled/tREG_DWORD/d1/f

I suppose that's that what the userlistenabler added (?).

Aside from disabling as many power saving settings as I can (and using the High Performance plan), uninstalling the applications that appeared on the "Start" screen after the installation, turning off things like autocorrect of typing, installing Firefox, and a couple of other innocuous things, I can't think of any modifications that could be blocking my being able see all users when I turn on or restart the computer.

I thought that my having disabled the lock screen might be related to this issue, but on another machine, it has no effect and everything works fine.

I considered the possibility that maybe I *had* done something inadvertently during my configuration of Windows after my first OS install a couple of weeks ago, as nothing in this thread worked to get all users to show after startup.

Two or three days ago, then, I started from scratch and did a clean installation of the OS, but I'm at the same place.

Have you any other thoughts on what could be going on?

 

[Brink]

Not sure since it would basically be a needle in a haystack.

The next time you reinstall Windows for whatever reason, see if applying this tutorial right after will work. This will give you a chance to see if it stops working after doing anything specific.

 

[notbillgates]

I decided to have a look at the registry entry I mentioned above.

When I get to the UserSwitch key, I see this in right pane:

Default value not set
Enabled 0x00000000 (0)
UserSID (nothing listed under "Data")

Is this right, given the entry from the "scheduled task" above?

 

[notbillgates]

I'll wait a bit to see if what I just posted has any relevance to this issue.

If you think it's normal or nothing to be concerned about, then I'll do a third clean install.

After the install, I'll add another user. I often enable the hidden administrator account, and then rename and password-protect it. Should I do that after the clean install, or just just start with my own account and a second user?

I'll wait for your thoughts on this.

Thanks very much for your time with my questions.

 

[Brink]

Yeah, that would be from the program for this.

 

[notbillgates]

Hello again, Brink.

There's continued "badness" here.

Just did a third clean installation of Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit.

Aside from whatever Windows does during an installation process (with downloading updates and such), I did nothing.

I was taken into my account at the end of the installation.

I then added a single account to the machine.

I logged into that account.

I signed out of the account and then into my own account.

I ran userlistenabler to show all users at startup.

On a restart, Windows took me into my own account (all users were *not* listed).

I added a password to my account.

I signed out of my account and then into the second account.

I added a password to the second account.

On a restart, I was taken to the sign-in screen for the second account.

I signed in, then signed out, and signed in to my own account.

I restarted the machine and was taken to the sign-in screen for my account.

The behavior of going to the sign-in screen of the account from which a restart command was issued persists, and it persists for shutdown commands as well.

As before, then, despite whatever option is set with userlistenabler, I get taken to the sign-in screen of the account from which restart or shutdown commands were issued.

What do you suggest for this issue now? It's almost as if I have a "bad" copy of Windows/a "bad" machine or something, as my experience seems to be at odds with those of everyone else in this forum.

If there is no solution at this time, I'll use my machine as-is.

I actually was hopeful that a clean installation would have things working, allowing the culprit of earlier problems to be *me*, but maybe I'm innocent after all.

I appreciate tremendously your time and assistance with this issue.

 

[Brink]

I'm going to contact the developer of that program to see if they may have an idea.

 

[hb860]

hello notbillgates
I am [DEL]not Steve Ballmer[/DEL] the developer of User List Enabler.
Sometimes it fails and I know how to fix it.
Please be patient, I am very busy these days.
I will recreate this application from scratch when I will finish my current tasks.

 

[harish89391]

I done everything but when i try to apply the changes it shows something like the below.......

 

[Brink]

Hello Harish,

For now, I would recommend to use OPTION ONE.

 

[harish89391]

No....It's Not Possible.........see the below image.............

 

[Brink]

In that case, see if doing a system restore using a restore point dated before these issues started may be able to help.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4692-system-restore-how-do-windows-8-a.html

 

[harish89391]

when i try to open the system restore...........it shows like this.............there is no yes option to work further........

 

[Brink]

You'll need to be signed in to an administrator account instead of a standard account.

 

[harish89391]

how to become an administrator........