How to Set Up Autologin on Windows 10 and 11 Using the Registry Editor

Setting up autologin in Windows 10 and 11 has shifted from using netplwiz to a process involving the Registry Editor. This guide demonstrates how to configure autologin directly in the registry, allowing the user to bypass the login screen upon Windows startup.

Prerequisites

• You must have administrative rights on the computer.
• Familiarity with the Windows Registry and understanding the associated risks.

Steps to Enable Autologin

1. Open Run Dialog: Press the Windows key and ‘R’ together.
2. Launch Registry Editor: Type regedit and hit Enter.
3. Access Autologin Key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
   Note: You can copy and paste the above path into the Registry Editor's address bar to quickly access the key.
4. Configure Username: Right-click on Winlogon, select 'New' > 'String Value', name it DefaultUserName then enter the desired username.
5. Configure Password: Right-click on Winlogon, select 'New' > 'String Value', name it DefaultPassword then enter the corresponding password.
6. Activate Autologin: Right-click on Winlogon, select 'New' > 'String Value', name it AutoAdminLogon then set the value to '1'.
7. Reboot: Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes.

Key Considerations

• Security: Be cautious, as storing a password in the registry may expose it to other users. Preferably, set the autologin user to Standard, not Administrator.
• Backup Precaution: Consider a registry backup or restore point before making changes.
• Expert Assistance: If uncertain, consult professional IT support.

Conclusion

While the process of enabling autologin through the Windows Registry is simple, it must be done with awareness of the potential risks. Always be sure of your actions or seek expert help as needed.

Additional Tips

Explore AlwaysUp to Run Any Application as a Windows Service at Boot if you wish to run software without interruptions from Windows Update pop-ups.

Batch Script for Automation

Automate the setup with a batch script. Save the below code as a .bat file and execute it with administrative rights using the command-line.

@echo off
setlocal

if "%~1"=="" (
echo Username is required.
exit /b 1
)

if "%~2"=="" (
echo Password is required.
exit /b 1
)

set "username=%~1"
set "password=%~2"

:: Set the default username
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v DefaultUserName /t REG_SZ /d "%username%" /f

:: Set the default password
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v DefaultPassword /t REG_SZ /d "%password%" /f

:: Enable autologin
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v AutoAdminLogon /t REG_SZ /d 1 /f

echo Autologin setup complete.
endlocal