sign-in

When you turn on and set up using a screen saver in Windows, it will start when user activity has been idle for a specified "wait" period of time. You can check On resume, display logon screen to require sign in on resume from the screen saver. When you check On resume, display logon screen...

When signing in to a new user account for the first time or after an update in some scenarios, that user may be presented with a screen that prompts the user to choose privacy settings for their account. If you like, you can disable showing the "Choose privacy settings for your device"...

Windows Hello is a more personal, more secure way to get instant access to your Windows 11 devices using a PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint. You'll need to set up a PIN as part of setting up fingerprint or facial recognition sign-in, but you can also sign in with just your PIN. A PIN is...

By default, users see the first sign-in animation when signing in to Windows for the first time for a newly added account and after a new build or version of Windows has been installed. It also controls if Microsoft account users will be offered the opt-in prompt for services during their first...

When you have more than one language and/or keyboard layout installed, you will see the language bar (input indicator) on the taskbar system tray area and sign-in screen by default. The language bar allows you to switch between your added languages and keyboard layouts as needed. This tutorial...

The Network icon on the sign-in screen can allow users to change the network connectivity state of the computer without having to sign in to Windows. This tutorial will show how to add or remove the Network icon on the sign-in screens for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11. You must be...

The Power button on the sign-in screen can allow users to sleep, hibernate, shut down, or restart the computer without having to sign in to Windows. The Shutdown: Allow system to be shut down without having to log on security policy setting determines whether a device can be shut down without...

The Display information about previous logons during user logon policy displays information about previous logons and logon failures to the user (local account or Microsoft account). A message appears after the user signs in that displays the date and time of the last successful sign-in by that...

The lock screen is the screen you see at startup and when you lock the computer (Win+L). You will need to dismiss the lock screen to to see the sign-in screen and sign in to Windows. Users can change their lock screen background to Windows Spotlight, a picture, or a slideshow by default. When...

Having different accounts on a shared PC lets multiple people use the same device, all while giving everyone their own sign-in info, plus access to their own files, browser favorites, and desktop settings. You can add a local user account (an offline account) or Microsoft account for a user to...

The Let's finish setting up your device screen is a second-chance out of box experience (SCOOBE) that may occasionally show when you sign in to suggest ways to get the most out of Windows and finish setting up this device. Starting with Windows 11 build 25309, Microsoft is trying out a more...

You can have Windows automatically save your open restartable apps when you sign out, restart the computer, or shut down the computer and restart them when you sign back in. This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off automatically restart apps when you sign back in for your account in...

When you sign out of Windows, all your open windows and apps are closed, but the computer is not turned off. Another user can sign in without needing to restart the computer. See also: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/sign-out-of-windows-346925bb-024c-cd86-7a53-9066242a9ed3 This...

When you lock the computer, it protects the computer from unauthorized use when you need to step away from the PC, and don't want to sign out or shut down causing everything open to be closed. When you lock the computer, you will be taken to the lock screen by default to dismiss and sign in...

Windows Hello is a more personal, more secure way to get instant access to your Windows 11 devices using a PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint. You'll need to set up a PIN as part of setting up fingerprint or facial recognition sign-in, but you can also sign in with just your PIN. These...

Windows Hello is a more personal, more secure way to get instant access to your Windows 11 devices using a PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint. You'll need to set up a PIN as part of setting up fingerprint or facial recognition sign-in, but you can also sign in with just your PIN. These...

Windows Hello is a more personal, more secure way to get instant access to your Windows 11 devices using a PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint. You'll need to set up a PIN as part of setting up fingerprint or facial recognition sign-in, but you can also sign in with just your PIN. These...

Windows Hello is a more personal, more secure way to get instant access to your Windows 11 devices using a PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint. You'll need to set up a PIN as part of setting up fingerprint or facial recognition sign-in, but you can also sign in with just your PIN. These...

Windows Hello is a more personal, more secure way to get instant access to your Windows 11 devices using a PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint. You'll need to set up a PIN as part of setting up fingerprint or facial recognition sign-in, but you can also sign in with just your PIN. These...

Windows Hello is a more personal, more secure way to get instant access to your Windows 11 devices using a PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint. You'll need to set up a PIN as part of setting up fingerprint or facial recognition sign-in, but you can also sign in with just your PIN. These...