When you start Windows, you will first enter the lock screen / login screen, after which you have to log in with your password or PIN. Safe, but of course also a bit annoying if you are the only person with access to that computer. Especially when your computer switches to standby when you go to get a drink. Fortunately, there are ways to get around this screen.
Start up without login screen
We think it is wise to log in with a password in every situation, but can imagine that you find it annoying. If no one else has access to your PC, know that you can log in automatically. You do this by on Start clicking and netplwiz typing. In the window that appears, uncheck the option Users must provide a username and password to use this computer. Then click on To apply and enter the username and password of the user to be automatically logged in. When you restart the PC, the relevant user is automatically logged in.
Pay attention: this feature no longer works in the latest Windows 10 version number update 20H2, aka the October 2020 update of the operating system. However, if you have already set up automatic login in an older version of Windows 10, this will remain active in the latest update.
Lock screen (Windows Home)
When you are the only person who has access to your PC, and you are going to do something else for a few minutes, it is quite annoying that you have to log in again with your password because your PC has gone into standby. You can get around this too, but you have to change something in Windows Home in the Windows Registry. We always add a warning: if your configuration deviates for one reason or another, for example due to software, a small change in the registry can cause problems. If you are in doubt or not quite sure what to do, don’t do anything because it can really damage Windows. To make it easy for you, we have prepared a file for you to make this change for you and a file to undo the change. When you run the DisableLockScreen.reg file in Windows 10 Home, the lock screen will no longer bother you. You download these files here.
Lock screen (Windows Pro)
In Windows 10 Pro it is also possible to disable the lock screen, but this does not require a change in the Registry. Navigate via Start to the Control panel and look up group policy. Now click on Edit group policy. Double click on Administrative templates and then on Control panel. Now click on Do not display lock screen and then on Switch.
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