How to fix users must enter name and password option missing on Windows 11, 10

Here's how you fix the "User must enter a username and password to use this computer" missing from netplwiz settings on Windows 10 (and 11).

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Windows 11 netplwiz settings
Windows 11 netplwiz settings / Image: Mauro Huculak

UPDATED 1/8/2024: On Windows 10 (and Windows 11), you can configure the system to remove the password requirement and log in automatically using the legacy User Accounts (netplwiz) settings. However, this requires clearing the “User must enter a username and password to use this computer” option, and many times, you will find out that the option is missing.

The problem is a bug. Instead, it’s because Windows includes a sign-in feature that removes the use of a password in favor of Windows Hello for authentication. So, when the “Require Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts” option is enabled, it automatically disables and removes the “User must enter a username and password to use this computer” option from the User Accounts settings. (The same option is known as “For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device” on Windows 11.)

The solution to configure sign-in automatically on Windows is to disable the passwordless feature from the Settings app to make the other option available in legacy accounts settings.

In this guide, I will teach you the steps to fix the missing “User must enter a user name and password to use this computer” option from the User Accounts settings on Windows 10 (or Windows 11).

Fix missing credential requirements option on Windows 10

To restore the users must enter the username and password option in the netplwiz settings, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 10.

  2. Click on Accounts.

  3. Click on Sign-in options.

  4. Turn off the “Require Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts” toggle switch.

    Require Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts

Once you complete the steps, the next time you open the netplwiz (User Accounts) settings, the option to disable requiring username and password to sign in will be available again.

Fix missing credential requirements option on Windows 11

To restore the users must enter the username and password option in the netplwiz settings, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

  2. Click on Accounts.

  3. Click the Sign-in options page.

  4. Turn off the “For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device” toggle switch.

    Disable only Windows Hello sign in

After you complete the steps, the option to require sign-in on Windows 11 will be available from the User Accounts settings.

Update January 8, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect the steps to complete the configuration on Windows 11.

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 15 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 21 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].