How to disable the Windows password prompt

As a rule of thumb, it's a good idea to have a password on your computer. Anyone who has physical access to your machine can view any unprotected data that is on it. However, if your computer is in a safe location (e.g., a home office) where no one else could easily access you may want to get rid of the Windows password prompt. To proceed, find your version of Windows in the sections below and follow the instructions.

Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10 users

1. Press the Windows key, type netplwiz, and then press Enter.
2. In the window that appears, select the Users tab.
3. In the Users for this computer: section, select the account for which you'd like to disable the windows startup password prompt.
4. Uncheck the box next to Users must enter a username and password to use this computer.
5. Click Apply.
6. In the window that appears, enter the account's current password twice and click OK.
7. That window should close. Click OK at the bottom of the User Accounts window.

The next time you turn on the computer, the password prompt should be gone for this computer.

Windows XP users

1. In the lower left-hand corner of the Windows desktop, click the Start button.
2. Click on Run... A box should appear similar to the one below.

3. Next to Open, type netplwiz, and then press Enter or click OK.
4. In the window that appears, select the Users tab.
5. In the Users for this computer: section, select the account for which you'd like to disable the windows startup password prompt.
6. Uncheck the box next to Users must enter a username and password to use this computer.
7. Click Apply.
8. In the window that appears, enter the account's current password twice and click OK.
9. That window should close. Click OK at the bottom of the User Accounts window.

The next time you turn on the computer, the password prompt should be gone for this computer.