Windows – In Windows 8, how do you disable the unlock password for Microsoft Accounts

password-protectionwindows 8

In Windows 8, in the scenario where there is a single user that has a Microsoft Account (i.e., they have created their account via a Microsoft email address) how does one disable the password prompt when unlocking the screen?

The Windows 7 analogy would be to disable the screensaver password prompt.

I can do this on a "local" account (one not backed by Microsoft) but the setting seems to have no effect on connected accounts.

To replicate:

  1. create an account using whatever@hotmail.com or whatever@live.com
  2. Lock the screen with WinKey+L
  3. Attempt to unlock, by clicking the mouse, without entering a password.

Best Answer

To turn on automatic sign in for a local user account or Microsoft account:

  1. press Win+R to open the Run dialog box, then type in netplwiz and press Enter

  2. select the user name of the local user account or Microsoft account that you want to have Windows 8 log on to automatically at startup

  3. uncheck the "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer" box, and click/tap on OK

  4. enter the password of the selected local user account or Microsoft account twice, and click/tap on OK

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