Quick fix: Open netplwiz, uncheck Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer, and enter the account password when prompted. Windows now auto-signs-in on boot, skipping the lock screen entirely. Disable on Wake under Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → If you’ve been away.

You’re using a standalone PC at home or in an office workgroup — no domain, just one user. The lock screen with the spinning circle and password prompt adds 10 seconds to every boot for no security benefit (physical access to the room is the only threat model). You want the PC to go straight from boot to desktop. Windows 11 supports this configuration but hides it behind multiple settings.

Symptom: You want to skip the Windows 11 lock screen and sign in automatically on a workgroup PC.
Affects: Windows 11 Home/Pro on a workgroup (not domain-joined).
Fix time: 5 minutes.

What controls the lock screen experience

Windows 11’s lock screen flow has three pieces: the boot lock screen (background image + clock), the sign-in prompt (password/PIN/Windows Hello), and the auto-lock on wake. Each can be disabled independently. The auto-sign-in feature stores your password securely so Windows can enter it on every boot — it’s only appropriate for physically-secure PCs where the OS-level password isn’t the protection layer.

Microsoft removed the easy auto-sign-in checkbox from netplwiz when Windows Hello is set up because the two are redundant. Disabling Hello first restores the checkbox.

Method 1: Enable auto-sign-in via netplwiz

Press Win + R, type netplwiz, press Enter.
If your account uses Windows Hello, you may need to disable it first: open Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options, turn off For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device. Then close Settings and re-open netplwiz.
Select your user account in the list.
Uncheck Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.
Click Apply.
Windows prompts for your account password (and re-confirms). Enter and click OK.
Reboot. You go straight to the desktop.

The password is stored encrypted in the credential vault. It’s reversibly encrypted only with admin-level access — if the threat model includes someone with admin access, this isn’t a fit.

Method 2: Disable lock screen on wake

Auto-sign-in handles boot. For locks after sleep/wake, configure separately.

Open Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options.
Find If you’ve been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again?.
Set to Never.
Open Settings → System → Power & battery → Screen and sleep. Set the screen-off and sleep timers to your preference; they no longer trigger a lock.

This is the right complement to auto-sign-in. The PC neither prompts on boot nor on wake.

Method 3: Disable the lock screen entirely via Group Policy

For Pro/Enterprise users who want to remove the lock screen as a UI element (even when manually locked via Win+L):

Open gpedit.msc.
Navigate to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Control Panel → Personalization.
Open Do not display the lock screen and set to Enabled.
Run gpupdate /force.
Manual lock (Win+L) goes directly to the sign-in prompt; the lock screen background/clock no longer appears as an intermediate step.

This is mostly cosmetic but useful for users who find the lock screen background distracting or who want a faster manual-lock experience.

How to verify the fix worked

Reboot. Windows goes from manufacturer logo straight to the desktop without a lock screen or password prompt.
Sleep the PC and wake it — if Method 2 was applied, the PC wakes directly to the desktop too.
Press Win+L. If Method 3 was applied, the sign-in prompt appears immediately (no lock screen interlude).
Open netplwiz. The “Users must enter a user name and password” checkbox is unchecked.

If none of these work

If auto-sign-in doesn’t persist after a Windows Update, Windows may have re-enabled the requirement automatically — re-run netplwiz and re-uncheck. For Microsoft accounts that have two-factor authentication enabled, the second factor (text code, authenticator) interrupts auto-sign-in — disable 2FA for the PC’s account, or use a local account paired with a Microsoft Account only for Store/sync. For PCs joined to Azure AD or Intune, auto-sign-in is typically blocked by organizational policy; coordinate with IT if you need it.

Bottom line: Auto-sign-in via netplwiz + no-lock-on-wake in Settings = no lock screen on boot or wake. Group Policy adds removal of the lock screen interlude on manual lock. Use only on physically-secure PCs — the OS password is no longer protecting you.