How to Bypass Login Screen in Windows 8

Microsoft has added security features to its new operating system, some of which slow you down. For example, to start using your PC, you now need to go through the lock screen and log in with your password.

If you are happy to do away with the added security, you can bypass these stages.

From the Start screen type run, then click Run, type netplwiz into the box and hit Enter.



 

In the User Accounts box, highlight your account and untick ‘Users must enter a username and password to use this computer’. Click Apply, then enter your password twice and click OK.

This also works on older versions of Windows that require you to log in - just go to the Start menu (Start, Run in Windows XP), type control userpasswords2 or netplwiz and press Enter to open the User Accounts box.

You can also reduce your start-up time in Windows 8.1 by automatically skipping the Start screen and going straight to the Desktop.



 

From the start screen, type taskbar, press Enter and, in the ‘Start screen’ section, select the option ‘Go to the desktop instead of Start when I sign in’.