How to enable or disable sign-in again after wake up on Windows 11

Here are the steps to control if Windows 11 should require a password after waking up.

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@Pureinfotech
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Windows 11 require sign in on wake up
Windows 11 require sign in on wake up

On Windows 11, you can decide whether the system should require you to sign in again when the computer or display resumes from sleep.

The feature has been designed for security to prevent other people from gaining access to your account when you are away. If the feature is enabled, when the device or display goes into sleep mode after some time of inactivity (based on the Screen and sleep settings), and then after waking up, you will be required to enter a password to continue.

If you are in your home office or a trusted place, it can be unpleasant to re-enter your password every time you step away from the device for a few minutes. If this is your case, you can also disable the sign-in requirement on Windows 11.

This guide will teach you the steps to enable or disable sign-in after the computer or display resumes from sleep on Windows 11.

Turn on or off the sign-in after waking up on Windows 11

To enable or disable the sign-in password again on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Accounts.

  3. Click the Sign-in options tab.

  4. Under the “Additional settings” section, use the “If you’ve been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again” setting and select when the system should lock the account automatically:

    • Every Time – requires you to sign in again always after the device wakes up from sleep.
    • 1 through 15 minutes – if you resume the device from sleep within the selected minutes, you won’t be required to sign in again.

    If you've been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again

  5. In the “If you’ve been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again” setting, select the Never option.

Once you complete the steps after you step away from the desk and the computer enters into sleep mode, if you select the “Every Time” option will ask to provide a password to access the desktop. If you pick a time range, when the computer goes into sleep mode and your return before the time expires, you won’t be required to sign in again. If you select the “Never” option upon waking up, the laptop won’t need a password to access the account.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].