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Getting Rid of the need for a password when opening Windows 11

Anonymous
2025-04-21T10:53:57+00:00

Thinking that this would be straightforward I found guidance and in settings/accounts/sign in options a section which allowed me to remove the need for a PIN. This made no difference. There is a section for password and that says 'all set up'. I just looked at that and ended up being offered the option of changing my microsoft password. Don't want that.

I have set Never for the need to sign in after being away.

There may be another action I tried but this was a couple of days ago and I can't remember (sorry!).

Now the situation is that when I start up W11 I get an immediate message which says 'the user name or password is incorrect. (At that point I haven't put in anything) Try again'

If I use my Microsoft password it works.

I don't want to carry on in case I somehow lose access to Windows altogether. Obviously the old password has gone but been replaced by my MS one.

Help!!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Security and privacy

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Siva Shankar 10,965 Reputation points
2025-04-23T11:26:09+00:00

Yes, I have the patience to walk you through this properly, step-by-step, without leaving you stuck!

Make sure Auto-Login is correctly enabled :

  1. Press Windows + R, type netplwiz, and press Enter.
  2. In the list, make sure:

Your account is selected.

The checkbox “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer” is UNCHECKED.

  1. Click Apply if needed.
  2. It will ask you for your password or PIN. Enter your Microsoft account password, NOT the PIN.

(This sets Windows to auto-login using your real Microsoft account password in the background.)

Now that Auto-Login is ready, then we remove the PIN safely.

  1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
  2. Find PIN (Windows Hello).

Click on PIN (Windows Hello) and choose Remove.

It will ask you for your password to confirm (again, your Microsoft account password).

  1. After this, your PIN will be gone.

Because we set auto-login first, Windows will not fall back to asking for a password , it will just log in automatically!

If you remove the PIN before enabling auto-login, Windows falls back to demanding a password.

If you first set auto-login and then remove the PIN, Windows skips login altogether

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  1. Siva Shankar 10,965 Reputation points
    2025-04-23T16:50:17+00:00

    I’m glad that issue got resolved!

    Help others by sharing your experience! Click “Yes” if this solution worked for you or “No” if it didn’t.

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  2. Siva Shankar 10,965 Reputation points
    2025-04-21T19:19:46+00:00

    Thanks for your response.

    Clear Saved Credentials (if any)

    1. Open Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager.
    2. Look for any saved Windows credentials related to your account and remove them.
    3. Restart your computer and see if it makes a difference.

    Double-Check Sign-In Settings

    1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and ensure Never is selected under Require sign-in.
    2. Ensure that Windows Hello options (PIN, facial recognition, etc.) are either disabled or correctly set up.

    Sometimes Microsoft account-related login issues can cause these types of errors. If you haven’t already, switching to a local account may help bypass any lingering Microsoft account issues.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-04-21T16:10:28+00:00

    I'm afraid that this didn't work.

    However you have reminded me of the bit I said I forgotten about and it was the netplwiz method.

    Something has gone wrong with this as the message I am getting suggests that an incorrect p/w has automatically been tried resulting in the actual message received.

    I'm afraid I am still stuck. Thanks anyway.

    Rog

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  4. Siva Shankar 10,965 Reputation points
    2025-04-21T11:28:54+00:00

    Hello ,

    I’m here to help you in resolving your issue

    Use netplwiz to Disable Login Prompt :

    1. Press Win + R, type netplwiz, and press Enter.
    2. In the window that opens:

    Uncheck the box that says: "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer"

    1. Click Apply
    2. When prompted, enter your Microsoft account password and confirm.
    3. Restart, it should now log you in automatically.

    If this option is missing, it’s because Windows Hello is enabled. Check below options.

    Disable Windows Hello (if netplwiz didn’t work) :

    1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options
    2. Under "Require Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts", turn it OFF
    3. Now go back and try netplwiz again (Option 1)

    After trying above steps, please reach out to me if you have any doubts or issues

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