Delete Windows 11 account + sign-in password
Solvedpistouri Posted messages 19008 Registration date Status Contributeur Last intervention -
Hello everyone,
I bought a new laptop, and I have to redo all the settings to make it like my old one. Plus, the change from Win10 to Win11 isn't helping me.
At first, I only had one password to enter, but since I didn't need it, I wanted to remove it. So I searched for a way to do that, and 1/ it didn't solve the problem, 2/ it added an account! So now when I start the laptop, it says, "We are unable to sign you in right now" on this infamous second account. I hit "OK", switch to the correct account, and then it asks me for the password.
So my question is first: how do I get rid of the added account? I checked Settings => Accounts => Other users, but it doesn't seem like there are any other accounts.
And secondly: how do I disable the password prompt at startup?
I'm available for any necessary information. Thank you very much for your help.
6 réponses
Hello
The only way to log into Windows 11 (after installation) without a password (At your own risk, this is highly discouraged!!) is to create a Local account (Administrator preferred) without a password...
Not easy since Microsoft doesn't like that!!
You can create a new Local Administrator Account with the tool Netplwiz.exe, which allows you to manage Accounts, passwords, etc...
Choose to run netplwiz or search for netplwiz.
Warning, manipulation errors are irreversible...
1) In the Users tab, click the Add button, then choose "Sign in without a Microsoft Account" at the bottom, then Next, follow the instructions, make sure to select an administrator account and leave the password field empty and confirm everything...
2) In the Advanced Options tab, you can check "Users can use Ctrl-Alt-Delete (This allows switching from one user to another, logging out, etc...)
Restart and test your new account, test all your programs, move your documents to the new account, etc...
Once everything is verified multiple times (I recommend testing for a week before deleting), you can delete the now useless accounts using Netplwiz.exe...
Warning, irreversible, also deletes associated documents and program settings of deleted users like passwords and browser favorites if not "synced to an account.
See you later
Thank you for your response.
Indeed, it seems complicated; I wouldn't have thought it would be so much. However, on my previous laptop and my current desktop, I don't have any passwords, and I have no memory of having "tampered" with my computer using third-party software. Both are running Win10; maybe back then the process was allowed?
I can understand having a Windows account, but to impose a password, no, that should be optional.
You answered my second question, but do you have any idea about my first one, regarding deleting a non-primary account?
Oh sorry, I thought Netplwiz was a third-party developer program, I didn't realize it was built into Windows. In the past, I never needed this to remove the password, so I’m not familiar with it.
So I looked, and I'm stuck right at the first step since "add an account" is grayed out. Just like "remove" and "properties." So basically, I can't do anything.
Then, in the only available account, linked to my email address, which I can't do anything with, it says "administrators, users."
But precisely, Super.Mario, by default I am not an admin, since there is only one account, and as said it is indicated "administrators, users"? OK, it’s strange to see an S at the end of these words, but it is still written "administrators". And if I am not an admin, and if I do not have the possibility to add an account, how can I do that?
Now I am on my desktop (which is not in the same geographical location), and when I launch Netplwiz, I do see only one account with "administrators, users" like on the other computer, with the difference that I do not see my email address (the account must be local then) and that I have the possibility to add an account.
As a result, I am stuck on the fact of adding a local account on my laptop, the option being grayed out.
And yes, of course, I fully understand that I cannot delete the only available account, that is precisely what makes the computer work; I did not think for a second about removing it.
Hello,
I suppose therefore that this is not in order, that it's like this, and that vegansound is the only user and administrator.
For this to work, this account needs to have a password, even if we won't use it; if not, it needs to be added:
https://support.microsoft.com/fr-fr/windows/modifier-ou-r%C3%A9initialiser-votre-mot-de-passe-dans-windows-8271d17c-9f9e-443f-835a-8318c8f68b9c
We then type netplwiz in the run box, and uncheck the box:
Yes, yes, it's exactly as I copied/pasted that it appears on my command prompt. I don't know if I should read this as columns or rows.
And every time I turn on my computer, I get the password prompt, which is what I'm trying to disable with this topic. Except that I have "Users, Administrators" unlike your screenshot which only shows "Administrators", and I don't have the checkbox either. My username is my email address.
But I return to my two original questions: shouldn't I focus on deleting the second unnecessary account before looking into removing the password from the main one? Maybe that's why I don't see the same as you?
There is precisely no second local account given the Net Use information.
There is generally no "Administrators-Users" account; these are the rights assigned, as opposed to a user account, an administrator account has all the rights by definition.
If there is, for some reason I do not understand, a coincidence of the Microsoft account with its email address and the local account, it is necessary in the settings to convert the Microsoft account into a local account, which in this context may result in the creation of a second administrator account, from which we can then clean up.
Hello,
==► Method with Classic Auto Login
Hello pistouri,
Hey, with a link you helped solve my problem, thank you so much! I had searched here before posting, to see if someone had the same request as me, but found nothing. I didn't know that what I had was called a "PIN code," I simply thought it was a "password."
So now access to the computer without a password is sorted, but this story of a second account, I don't know what's going on with that. Now that I don't have the login screen anymore, I no longer see the choice to select an account. So maybe this other account is still out there, I imagine there must be some trace of it, but as long as it doesn't interfere, it's not a big deal if it's hanging around somewhere.
I was counting when I saw the beginning of your link, the two screenshots represented exactly my problems, I thought it would solve my issues. But the guide mainly talks about removing the PIN/password, and nothing about deleting the second account, so I don't know what's up with that, and it's a shame.
Anyway, thanks again!
Hello vegansound,
Thank you for your feedback.
I will try to explain what happened and why you ended up with a second account, which we will call a ghost account.
*****
Microsoft Account:
Let's assume that your purchased PC is new.
During the installation (without any tricks/modifications) it asks for a Microsoft account to create or use an existing Microsoft account; ideally, you should create one, it's quick, and then give a name to this account, which will be your username (it will also have administrative rights).
Following the installation, it asks you to create a PIN code which is mandatory.
This is what you find later in Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → PIN (Windows Hello)
-----
Local Account:
Let's assume that the purchased PC is already set up.
Either it was set up with a Microsoft account.
Or it was initially set up with a Microsoft account and switched to a local account.
That said, regardless of the account in question, there is a password or a PIN code, or both that are configured.
Ghost Account:
When the password or PIN code is deleted, a second account/profile is created on the login screen (where you enter your password) at the next session start if the procedure was not followed.
Automatic login fails.
“Ghost Account” appears:
Connecting to an account fails and you must always first change accounts.
In 99% of cases, it's the PIN code that was not correctly deleted, or an error if the PIN code or password is entered incorrectly.
At this point, Autologon or Classic Auto Login (with an additional option to verify your account using Netplwiz) allows you to enter the correct password of your account (Microsoft) and not only restart your PC without the password or without the PIN code.
Thus, the second ghost account created by Windows will disappear by itself.
The proper method to delete the PIN + password:
This procedure if you're having trouble.
Another method from CCM that still works in February 2025.
It's this publication ==► Delete the PIN and password from Windows 10 or 11
This is what I had edited as a tip, which was published, and remixed without spelling mistakes.
By the way, regarding this topic, on the second tip there is a solution for the grayed-out password box:
Gray box: Users must enter a username and password to use this computer No need for the registry to fix this (although it helps if it fails).
Another solution:
Basically, for the PIN code, do this:
In the Additional settings section, disable the option:
For added security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device (recommended).
Go back with a click on the arrow at the top left of the window then go back to the sign-in options.
Sorry for the typo in the photo:
grayed-out case = grayed-out case
Go back with a click on the arrow at the top left of the window:
On a new PC with a Microsoft account, I deleted first the PIN and then deleted the password.
PIN Code:
**
***
***
Grayed-out case (solution):
Password:
With --► netplwiz
Click on the Start button --► Run (the line).
Or use keyboard shortcut --► Windows + R
Type --► netplwiz --► OK
User Accounts window appears:
Then uncheck the box --► Users must enter a username and password to use this computer
Confirm by clicking on OK.
Type the password for your account and confirm it in the dialog box:
Restart the PC.
No password or PIN will be requested:
Hello,
Following the procedure, Windows does not hesitate to show a notification with an exclamation mark to set up the Microsoft account (set up a PIN code).
Click on--► Ignore
No need to restart the PC, the effect is immediate.
Hello pistouri,
Thank you for all these explanations, it's very interesting.
For my part, originally there was only the PIN at startup, but while searching for how to disable it, I came across a page explaining that you had to go through the registry editor (and only that), exactly the same method as in your link:
DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion
In the "Value data" box, enter the number 0 (in Hexadecimal).
Click on OK.
But upon restarting, not only did it not remove the PIN, but I also had that ghost account.
I am very happy now not to have to identify myself in any way, and if you tell me that the ghost account disappeared by itself in the process, all the better.
Thanks again.
Hello,
I came across a page explaining that you should only go through the registry editor, exactly the same method as in your link:
I am maintaining my tip/solution as best as I can ==►Remove the PIN and password on Windows 11 (modified 4 times in 3 years).
From the very beginning of the tip, I edited it as mentioned that the registry method no longer worked.
On the other hand, I'm hesitant to delete and clean up for the registry procedure.
As you mentioned, it is indeed this registry key DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion
According to the feedback following this CCM tip, this registry key no longer allows the modification, having become ineffective on Windows 11.
And I don't have enough feedback at the moment to know what it is under Windows 10.
Therefore, I am reluctant to modify the tip, but at some point, action will have to be taken, and I have my little idea (redo or modify the intro +DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion)
If you have no more questions, you can mark your topic resolved.
-
Windows spotlight is not working.
on 20 May -
Samsung j5 unable to answer
on 19 May -
Scam of the suvedene highway
on 18 May -
Remove 360 antivirus
on 18 May -
My pc's screen is flickering.
on 18 May -
Wearline: what do you think?
on 18 May -
Eko tank smartwatch
on 18 May -
Ibiza sound reviews
on 18 May -
Only one of my iphone headphones works. what to do?
on 18 May -
Mb to mb conversion and difference.
on 18 May