Windows 8.1 restarts with the current user instead of prompting for login or locking the screen.
Windows 8.1 restarts with the current user instead of prompting for login or locking the screen.
Hey, I just completed the setup of a new PC for my family. It will serve several users, so I created four local accounts—one admin and three standard—without any passwords. After restarting or shutting down, Windows automatically returns to the last logged-in user without prompting for login. This behavior is the opposite of what most people experience with Windows 8.1, but it’s exactly what I need now. Thanks ahead!
Specs: Windows 8.1 64-bit (all updates applied)
256GB ADATA sx900 SSD (boot drive)
4TB WD Black HDD i5-4570
8GB ADATA XPG RAM ASUS Z87-Plus (BIOS 1707)
ASUS GTX760 (driver 335.23)
@ Artanis : This is one of my biggest gripes with Windows 8. The workaround I found online uses scheduled tasks to change a registry entry that tells Windows the last logged on user, and is as follows: 1. Go into Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Task Scheduler 2. Click on Task Scheduler Library in the left side panel 3. Create a new task with the following options: Run the task using an Administrator account and set it to "Run whether user is logged on or not" with "Run with highest privileges" Trigger: On an event, Basic, Log: System, Source: User32, Event ID: 1074 Action: Start a program, Program/Script: reg.exe, Add arguments: add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\UserSwitch /v Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f 4. Save and close. Upon restarting or shutting down, the computer should now take you to the login screen.
I don’t see the issue? A password is set on the admin account... it won’t allow login unless you’re using your own credentials. Windows 8 never logged me directly to my desktop with a password, so I’m not sure about that. Also, don’t shut it down completely—just let it rest or lock the screen.