How to Fix Windows Auto Login Not Working — Keeps Asking for Password on Windows
Set up automatic login but Windows still asks for password at startup? Fix auto-login on Windows 10 and 11.
Symptoms
You might be experiencing this problem if you notice:
- •Configured auto-login but still prompted for password at startup
- •Auto-login worked before but stopped after an update
- •netplwiz "Users must enter a user name and password" checkbox missing
- •Auto-login works for restart but not shutdown → boot
- •PIN required even though password auto-login was set up
- •Windows Hello overriding auto-login settings
Common Causes
- ⚠Windows Hello features override auto-login settings
- ⚠Registry auto-login values cleared by Windows Update
- ⚠Microsoft account requires Windows Hello for security
- ⚠The netplwiz checkbox was removed in newer Windows builds
- ⚠Group Policy requiring authentication at login
- ⚠Fast Startup interfering with auto-login
Solutions
Solution 1: Disable Windows Hello First
- 1Auto-login won't work while Windows Hello is active:
- 2Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options
- 3Remove all Windows Hello sign-in methods (PIN, fingerprint, face)
- 4Turn OFF "For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in"
- 5After removing Hello: proceed to set up auto-login below
Solution 2: Set Up Auto-Login via netplwiz
- 1Press Win+R → type "netplwiz" → Enter
- 2Uncheck "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer"
- 3If this checkbox is missing: see registry method below
- 4Click Apply → enter your password twice → OK
- 5Restart to test — should log in automatically
Solution 3: Registry Method (If Checkbox Missing)
- 1Win+R → regedit → navigate to:
- 2HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device
- 3Set "DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion" to 0
- 4This restores the netplwiz checkbox
- 5Then use the netplwiz method above
- 6Alternatively: Sysinternals Autologon tool from Microsoft (free, signed)
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