Configure Windows to log in automatically at Startup/Reboot

Requiring the user to enter credentials when his computer starts is an important part of Windows security. If a user account automatically logs on, anyone who has physical access to the computer can restart it and access the user’s files. Nonetheless, there are scenarios where a computer is physically secure and automatic logon might be desired. To configure a workgroup computer (you cannot perform these steps on a domain member) to automatically log on, follow these steps:

Enable the Option to Bypass Sign-in (needed for Windows 11 only)

Automatic sign-in is available in Windows 11, but this option is just disabled by default. You will need to use the Registry Editor (Regedit) to enable it.

• Click the Start button, type regedit into the search bar, then hit Enter.
• Copy the path below and paste it into the RegEdit address bar:
  
         Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device
  
   
  
  
• Double-click on DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion and change the Value Data from 2 to 0, then click OK.
  
  

  

• Changing this value enables you to turn on automatic login. Now close Regedit.

Enable Automatic Sign-in

• Click Start, type netplwiz, and then press Enter.
  
  
  
  
• Uncheck Users Must Enter A User Name and Password To Use This Computer, then click OK.
• In the next screen enter the username and password that you use to login to Windows. If you're using a Microsoft account to log in to Windows, the password you need to provide is your Microsoft password.

The next time you restart the computer, it will automatically log on with the local user account you selected. Configuring automatic logon stores the user’s password in the registry unencrypted, where someone might be able to retrieve it.

From https://www.howtogeek.com/838506/how-to-sign-into-your-windows-11-pc-automatically/

Article ID: 3
Created: March 20, 2024
Last Updated: February 14, 2025
Author: Jon Harlan

Online URL: https://gymassistant.phpkb.cloud/article/configure-windows-to-log-in-automatically-at-startup-reboot.html