As you know, logging into your user account in Windows 7 and previous versions of Windows was a simple task. When you see the logon screen, simply enter the password in the box, if you have one, in order to boot to the desktop.
With the introduction of lock screen in Windows 8 Microsoft has added an additional step to Windows logon process. When you turn on your PC, after the beautiful yet simple boot screen logo, the lock screen appears on your screen witch information such as your PC’s battery status, date & time, and notifications from modern apps. Users need to press enter key or click on the lock screen to see the login screen where you need type your password to proceed to the Start screen or desktop.
Those of you have been using a smartphone know that this lock screen concept was introduced in mobile operating systems first. Even though the lock screen in Windows 8/8.1 provides some valuable information and is customizable in many ways, users who don’t want to go through an additional step might want to disable or remove the lock screen.
While there is no option available in the Control Panel or PC settings to disable or turn off the lock screen, you can remove the lock screen either by disabling the same in Group Policy Editor or editing Windows Registry.
Follow one of the given below instructions to remove the lock screen. We advise you create a system restore point before making changes to Group Policy or Windows Registry so that you can quickly restore the lock screen without having to go through the lengthy procedure.
Method 1
Disable lock screen using Registry Editor
Step 1: Simultaneously press Windows and R hotkey to open Run command box. In the box, type Regedit and then press Enter key. Click Yes button when you see the UAC prompt.
Step 2: Once the Registry Editor is launched, navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization
(Note that if there is no Personalization key, please create one right-clicking on Windows key, clicking New and then Key)
Step 3: On the right-side, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named NoLockScreen and then set its value to 1 (double-click on the entry to change the value) to remove the lock screen.
Step 4: Close the Registry Editor. Log out or restart your PC to see login screen instead of the lock screen. That’s it!
You can restore the lock screen by deleting NoLockScreen. Setting the value of NoLockScreen to 0 (zero) will also enable the lock screen.
Method 2
Remove or disable lock screen using Group Policy
Go for this method if you’re running Windows 8.1 Pro.
Step 1: Open Run command box by simultaneously pressing Windows and R keys. In the box, enter Gpedit.msc and press Enter to open Group Policy Editor.
Step 2: Navigate to Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Control Panel and then Personalization.
Step 3: On the right-side, look for the policy labelled Do not display the lock screen, double-click on it to see its properties, and then set its value to Enabled. Finally, click Apply and OK button. That’s it!
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