In Windows 10 1511 and earlier versions, turning off or disabling the lock screen was possible though Group Policy and Registry. However, there was no such option under the Settings app or Control Panel.
Starting with Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607), Microsoft has removed the ability to turn off or disable Windows 10 lock screen via Registry and Group Policy. This means there is no easy way to get rid of the lock screen if you wish to bypass the lock screen for some reason.
In Windows 10 version 1607 and later versions, you can use the Task Scheduler to disable the lock screen, but the procedure is quite lengthy and might not work all the time.
LockScreenGone to turn off Windows 10 Lock Screen
Thankfully, a developer has come up with an impressive utility to turn off or disable the lock screen in Windows 10 Anniversary Update and later versions. The utility we are talking about here is called LockScreenGone.
LockScreenGone is a small utility designed to help PC users turn off the lock screen in Windows 10 Anniversary Update and later versions with a click. The tool comes in handy for users who don’t like the lock screen.
According to the developer of LockScreenGone, the tool patches LogonController.dll file located under the System32 folder (C:\Windows\System32) to turn off the lock screen. Like any other system patching utility, LockScreenGone also backs up the original system file before patching it.
Use the given below directions to disable Windows 10 lock screen using LockScreenGone utility.
Step 1: Visit this page to download the LockScreenGone utility zip file. Those of you who would like to visit the official release page of this utility, please head over to the LockScreenGone page of MDL forums. Note that you need to sign in in order to see the release note and download link.
Step 2: Extract the zip file to get the LogonController_Patch folder.
Step 3: Open up the LogonController_Patch folder to see Install.cmd file. Run the install.cmd file with admin rights (right-click on the file and click Run as administrator).
Step 4: Once the Command Prompt window is open, wait for a few seconds to see the success message. As said before, the tool creates a backup of original LogonControll.dll before patching it.
That’s it! Press the Windows logo + L hotkey to see the login screen instead of the lock screen.
If you ever want to restore the lock screen, run the Restore.cmd file present in the LogonController_Patch folder.
Turn off lock screen again after updates
Windows 10 might enable the lock screen again when it receives new updates.
If you are getting the lock screen after installing an update, follow the given below directions to turn off the lock screen again.
Step 1: Open up the LogonController_Patch folder and then open up the x64 or x32 folder, depending on the type of Windows 10 you’re running. If you’re not sure about the type, refer to our check if you’re running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10.
Step 2: Run LogonController_Patch file. Under Path to the file to path, click the browse button, navigate to C:\Windows\System32, select LogonController.dll file, and then click Open.
Step 3: Finally, click the Start button to path the file again.
papyrus says
It stopped working with windows update(Update1607 Build14393.953).
more, when you run Install.cmd, the command prompt window flickers and you will have no choice.
David says
This seemed to work for a little while. The last update apparently made it quit working. I tried about so many things but eventually uninstalled 1607. Why did they add that annoying lock screen anyway?
pacman92 says
This tool is much better:
hxtps://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/63920-Windows-10-Login-lt-gt-LockScreen-Changer?p=1094062&viewfull=1#post1094062
Claus Riis says
It does break the Windows maintenance tools: DISM and SFC though, meaning you have to uninstall before running either of those and then install again