How to Automatically Login to Windows 8

When you start Windows 8, it shows a startup screen where you have to select a user account and enter the respective password to login to that user account. If you use your PC in a public environment like in the office or school, then this feature protects your PC from unauthorized access. But if you plan to use your PC at home where you are the only user, then the login screen is just a nuisance. You can set Windows 8 to automatically login to a user account without bothering you with the login screen everytime you start your PC. Here is how:

  1. Switch to Windows Desktop using the hotkey Windows key + D.
  2. Press the hotkey Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type netplwiz in the Run dialog and press Enter.

    Automatically Login in Windows 8

  3. In the User Accounts window, select your user account from the list. Uncheck the checkbox labeled Users must enter a username and password to use this computer as shown in the following picture.

    Automatically Login in Windows 8

  4. When you click the OK button, you would be shown a window where you have to enter the password associated with your user account. Click the OK button.

    Automatically Login in Windows 8

  5. That’s it. From now on, you would be automatically logged into your Windows 8 account.

If later you want to make Windows 8 ask for the password at the startup, then all you have to do is repeat the above steps and select the checkbox labeled Users must enter a username and password to use this computer in the step 3.