Windows 8 or 10 lock screen option adds a further keypress in the login process on a desktop or laptop. If you want to eliminate one step from login, you can disable the lock screen by tweaking the Windows Registry or changing the Local Group Policy Editor’s value. By removing the Lock Screen, Windows will take you straight to the password prompt and skip the new lock screen.
Also Read: How to remove the Lock option from Windows 10/8/7 Start Menu?
This post will guide you on enabling and disabling the Lock Screen on Windows 8 or 10. In this post, we will learn the following:-
- Enable or Disable the Lock Screen on Windows 8 or 10 using Local Group Policy Editor.
- Enable or Disable the Lock Screen on Windows 8 or 10 via Registry Editor
How to enable or disable the Lock Screen on Windows 8 or 10 using Local Group Policy Editor?
Gentle Reminder: Local Group Policy Editor is not a part of Windows Home edition; you can enable gpedit.msc by running a script.
To enable or disable the Lock Screen on Windows 8 or 10 via Group Policy, perform the following recommended steps:-
Step 1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows logo + R keys simultaneously.
Step 2. In the Run box, type the following and hit Enter from the keyboard to open Local Group Policy Editor:-
gpedit.msc
Step 3. In the Local Group Policy Editor window, navigate to the following path:-
Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization
Step 4. On the right-hand side of Personalization, double-click on the “Do not display the lock screen” policy.
Step 5. Select the radio button Enabled.
Step 6. Click Apply.
Step 7. Click OK.
Step 8. Reboot your computer or laptop.
Once you complete the above steps, the Lock Screen will be disabled on Windows 8 or 10 PC. If you want to enable the Lock Screen again on Windows 8 or 10, repeat the above steps, and in step 5, select the option “Not Configured” or “Disabled.”
How to enable or disable the Lock Screen on Windows 8 or 10 via Registry Editor?
If you prefer to tweak the Windows Registry to enable or disable the Lock Screen on Windows 8 or 10 via Registry Editor, complete the following recommended steps:-
Step 1. Press the Windows logo + R keys simultaneously to open the Run command box.
Step 2. Type the following in the Run box and click the OK button to launch the Registry Editor:-
regedit
Step 3. In the Registry Editor window, browse the following registry key from the left side pane:-
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Step 4. Perform a right-click on the Windows folder and select New, and then Key.
Step 5. Rename the new key to Personalization.
Step 6. Now, right-click on the Personalization key, select New, and then DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Step 7. Rename the newly created DWORD (32-bit) Value to NoLockScreen.
Step 8. Double-click the NoLockScreen on the right-side pane and change its Value data from 0 to 1.
Step 9. Click the OK button.
Step 10. Restart your computer or laptop.
Once you complete the above steps, you will no longer see the Lock Screen on Windows 8 or 10.
If you want to re-enable the Lock Screen, open the Registry Editor and navigate to the following:-
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization
On the right side of the Personalization key, double-click on NoLockScreen and change its Value data from 1 to 0. Now, the Lock Screen on Windows 8 or 10 is enabled again.
Conclusion
In conclusion, disabling the lock screen on Windows 8 or 10 can be a time-saving process for those who prefer to skip this step during login. This can be done by making changes either in the Local Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor. By following the steps outlined in this post, users can easily enable or disable the lock screen on their Windows 8 or 10 computers. It is important to note that any changes made to the registry should be done carefully and only if the user is confident in their ability to do so. With these steps, users can customize their login process and save time in the long run.
