When users want to set up their Windows 11 system to bypass the login screen and log in automatically, they might encounter an issue where the “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer” option is missing from the user accounts window (netplwiz). This problem can be quite frustrating for those who prefer to have their computer start up and log in automatically without having to manually enter a username and password each time.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the possible reasons for this issue and provide solutions to fix the missing checkbox, ensuring a seamless login experience in Windows 11.
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What is the problem?
The core issue that users face in this situation is the absence of the “Users must enter a username and password” checkbox in the user accounts window (netplwiz) on Windows 11. This checkbox is critical for enabling or disabling the login requirement on their computer.
The absence of this checkbox complicates the process of setting up automatic login, which is particularly troublesome for users who want to save time and avoid the hassle of entering their credentials each time they start or restart their computer.
Also see: How to Auto Login Windows 11 Without Password or PIN
How to restore the missing “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer” option in Windows 11
There are two primary methods to resolve the issue of the missing checkbox in the user accounts window.
Turn off “Only allow Windows Hello Sign-in”
One of the reasons the “Users must enter a user name and password” checkbox is not showing up is the activation of the “Only allow Windows Hello Sign-in” feature in Windows 11. This feature, when enabled, enhances system security by requiring users to sign in using Windows Hello authentication methods, which include biometric techniques like facial recognition or fingerprint scanning. As a result, the traditional password-based sign-in methods are disabled, causing the checkbox to go missing.
Useful tip: Create a local admin account without password in Windows 11/10
To turn off the “Only allow Windows Hello Sign-in” feature and restore the missing checkbox, follow these steps:
- Press Win + i to open the Windows 11 Settings app.
- Navigate to Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Locate the option stating “For improved security, only allow Windows Hello Sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device (Recommended)” and toggle it off.
Disabling this feature re-enables traditional authentication methods like passwords and PINs, which in turn makes the “Users must enter a username and password” checkbox visible again in the netplwiz window.
Explore more: How to Login Windows 11 Without Microsoft Account
Disable “DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion” using Registry Editor
Another method to restore the missing checkbox in the user accounts window is by disabling or deleting the “DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion” value in the Windows Registry. The following steps will guide you through this process:
- Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device.
- In the right pane, locate the DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion DWORD value.
- Right-click on it, and choose either “Modify” to set its value to 0, or select “Delete” to remove it entirely.
Related resource: How to Remove PIN Login From Windows 10/11 Startup
What if the registry value is missing from the PasswordLess folder?
In some cases, the “DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion” registry value might be missing from the PasswordLess folder, and users still cannot see the “Users must enter a username and password” option even after disabling the “Only allow Windows Hello Sign-in” option in Settings. In such situations, you can try to manually create a DWORD (32-bit) Value in the same registry path as stated above, name it “DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion”, and set its value to 0 and see if it resolves the issue.
Use Autologon instead
If none of the above methods work for you, you can use Microsoft Sysinternals’ Autologon tool as an alternative. Autologon enables you to configure Windows’ built-in auto-logon mechanism easily. This tool allows you to set up automatic login for your Windows 11 system, bypassing the need for a username and password during startup or restart.
To use Autologon, follow these steps:
- Download Autologon from the Microsoft Sysinternals website.
- Extract the downloaded ZIP file and run the Autologon.exe file.
- In the Autologon window, provide your username, domain (if applicable), and password.
- Click on the “Enable” button to enable automatic login for your Windows 11 system.
Once you have set up Autologon, your computer will log you in automatically whenever you restart or turn it on, eliminating the need to enter a username and password.
Summary
The issue of the missing “Users must enter a username and password to use this computer” option in Windows 11 can be frustrating for users who wish to enable automatic login. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to fix the issue by either turning off “Only allow Windows Hello Sign-in” or deleting the “DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion” registry value.
These methods should make the checkbox visible again in the netplwiz user accounts window. Alternatively, you can use the Autologon tool which provides an alternative solution for enabling automatic login on your Windows 11 system.
