You can set Windows 10 to sign you in automatically when the PC starts, so you go straight to the desktop without typing a password. The account still has a password, so your files stay protected over the network and in Safe Mode, but you skip the sign-in screen at startup. This guide shows the built-in way to do it, what to do when the option is missing, and how to stop Windows from asking for a password when it wakes from sleep.
Before you start: Anyone who turns on the PC will get into your account. Only do this on a desktop at home that other people can’t reach. On a laptop that leaves the house, a PIN or Windows Hello is a safer way to sign in quickly.
Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025. These steps still work and are nearly identical in Windows 11.
Quick answer
Press Windows + R, type netplwiz, and press Enter. Select your account, uncheck Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer, click OK, and enter your password twice to confirm.
How to sign in automatically with netplwiz
Step 1: Open User Accounts
Press Windows + R to open the Run box. Type netplwiz and press Enter. The User Accounts window opens.
Step 2: Select your account
In the list of users, click the account you want to sign in to automatically.
Step 3: Uncheck the password requirement
Uncheck Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer at the top of the window, then click Apply.
Step 4: Confirm your password
A box asks for your user name and password. Type the password twice and click OK. For a Microsoft account, use your Microsoft account password, not your PIN. Windows stores it securely so it can sign you in.
Step 5: Restart to test
Restart the PC. It should go straight to your desktop. If you see “The user name or password is incorrect,” open netplwiz again and re-enter the password carefully.
The checkbox is missing
If you don’t see the “Users must enter a user name and password” option, Windows Hello-only sign-in is turned on. Turn it off first:
- Open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Turn off Require Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts.
- Close and reopen netplwiz. The checkbox should now appear.
Stop the password prompt after sleep
Automatic sign-in only applies at startup. To skip the password when the PC wakes up:
- Open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Under Require sign-in, choose Never.
Other options
Microsoft Autologon tool
Microsoft’s free Sysinternals Autologon tool does the same thing as netplwiz through a simple window. It stores the password encrypted and is useful when netplwiz doesn’t work, such as on some work computers.
Remove the password from a local account
If you use a local account (not a Microsoft account), you can remove its password entirely. That’s less secure because the account has no protection at all. See our guide on removing a password from Windows 10 for the steps and the trade-offs.
Use a PIN or Windows Hello instead
A four-digit PIN or face or fingerprint sign-in is nearly as fast as no password and keeps the PC protected. Set it up in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Our guide on changing your PIN in Windows 10 covers PIN settings.
How to turn the password back on
Open netplwiz again, check Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer, and click OK. The next time you start the PC, Windows asks for your password or PIN.
Tips
- Lock the PC with Windows + L whenever you step away, even with automatic sign-in on.
- If your Microsoft account password changes, automatic sign-in stops working. Repeat the netplwiz steps with the new password.
- Avoid registry guides that store your password in plain text. netplwiz and Autologon are safer.
Frequently asked questions
Does this remove my password?
No. Your account keeps its password. Windows just enters it for you at startup.
Does automatic sign-in work with a Microsoft account?
Yes. Enter your Microsoft account password in netplwiz when asked.
Summary
- Run netplwiz.
- Uncheck the password requirement and confirm your password.
- Turn off Windows Hello-only sign-in if the checkbox is missing.
- Set Require sign-in to Never to skip the prompt after sleep.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.