How to disable password after resuming from sleep on Windows 10

By Mauro Huculak
last updated

Are you getting prompted to sign in every time your PC resumes from sleep? In this guide, we'll show you the steps to disable this security feature.

Disable password after sleep on Windows 10
Disable password after sleep on Windows 10 (Image credit: Windows Central)

Windows 10 includes several features to safeguard your device and files. In particular, one feature is the ability to lock the device when certain events occur, such as when resuming from sleep.

Although requiring to sign in after resuming from sleep adds an extra layer of security, if you are the only person using the device at home, re-entering the password can add unnecessary steps.

If you prefer going straight to the desktop, Windows 10 provides at least three ways to disable the password requirement after resuming from sleep using the Settings app, Group Policy Editor, and Command Prompt.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to disable password prompt after resuming from sleep.

How to skip password prompt resuming from sleep using Settings

To stop Windows 10 from asking to sign in after resuming from sleep, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Accounts.
  3. Click on Sign-in options.
  4. Under the "Require sign-in" section, use the drop-down menu and select the Never option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

Once you complete the steps, you'll no longer be required to enter a password after waking up Windows 10 from sleep.

If you want to revert the changes, you can use the same instructions, but on step No. 4, make sure to select the When PC wakes up from sleep option.

How to skip password prompt resuming from sleep using Group Policy

Although the Settings app makes it easy to disable the password requirement after resuming from sleep, you don't have the option to control the feature when your device is running on battery or plugged in individually. If you're running Windows 10 Pro, you can use the Group Policy Editor to stop the OS from requiring a password when your laptop is running on battery or plugged in.

To sign-in automatically after resuming from sleep, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for gpedit and select the top result to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
  3. Browse the following path:Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Power Management > Sleep Settings
  4. Double-click the Require a password when a computer wakes (on battery) policy.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Check the Disable option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click Apply.
  2. Click OK to complete the task.
  3. Double-click the Require a password when a computer wakes (Plugged in) policy.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Check the Disable option.
  2. Click the Apply button.
  3. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the computer will bypass the Sign-in screen and go straight to the desktop when resuming from sleep.

If you want to revert the changes, follow the same instructions, but this time on step No. 5 and step No. 9 select the Not configured option.

How to skip password prompt resuming from sleep using Command Prompt

Alternatively, you can also enable or disable the password prompt after resuming from sleep using Command Prompt.

Disable require sign-in

To disable the require sign-in option when Windows 10 wakes up, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
  3. If you want to disable the sign-in option while your device is running on battery, type the following command and press Enter:powercfg /SETDCVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_NONE CONSOLELOCK 0

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. If you want to disable the sign-in option while your device is plugged in, type the following command and press Enter:powercfg /SETACVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_NONE CONSOLELOCK 0

Once you complete the steps, you'll not be prompted to sign in after the device resumes from sleep.

Enable require sign-in

To enable the require sign-in option when Windows 10 wakes up, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
  3. If you want to enable the sign-in option while your device is running on battery, type the following command and press Enter:powercfg /SETDCVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_NONE CONSOLELOCK 1

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. If you want to disable the sign-in option while your device is plugged in, type the following command and press Enter:powercfg /SETACVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_NONE CONSOLELOCK 1

After you complete the steps, you'll be prompted to sign in again every time the device wakes up.

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.

19 Comments
  • On my desktop, I have it setup so they password isn't required,  I'm the only one who uses it.  However, my Surface, and HP Stream are both password protected as they are left out in the open.  
  • Yeah, I wouldn't do this unless if I didn't have had Windows biometric in my Surface. Biometrics have become hassle free with desktop as much as with laptops but one would need to get a gear for that to work with desktop though.
  • So you're sure no one will steal and if they do, there isn't anything valuable there?
  • So you're sure no one will steal and if they do, there isn't anything valuable there?
  • Same here, I am the only one here unless my cat decides to use my computer when my back is turned. it is the flipping lock screen I want to get rid of permanently. I have a computer, not a phone, why do I need a lock screen?
  • I've always used the command line "control userpasswords2" which opens a settings box called User Accounts. There's an option to turn off requiring a user name and password altogether, not just from sleep but also from full startups and restarts.
  • This setting does not apply to the resume from sleep, only for startup.
  • Thanks for the correction. I guess I've been using this system for so long I forgot it was only for start up. (It's still handy though!)
  • (um, how do I delete this??)
  • Anyone having issue with high amount of data usage by with Windows Update and background intelligent transfer. I don't see update in the settings but it still keeps downloading something making rest of the browning very slow. Sometimes the amount reaches close to GB download. While update shows nothing being downloaded.
  • Anyone having issue with high amount of data usage by with Windows Update and background intelligent transfer. I don't see update in the settings but it still keeps downloading something making rest of the browning very slow. Sometimes the amount reaches close to GB download. While update shows nothing being downloaded.
  • Anyone having issue with high amount of data usage by with Windows Update and background intelligent transfer. I don't see update in the settings but it still keeps downloading something making rest of the browning very slow. Sometimes the amount reaches close to GB download. While update shows nothing being downloaded.
  • Maybe your apps using data in background? Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
  • Dont know. But in mobile wp10 is data hungry giant.. Edge is consuming data mostly
  • There is a bug after a suspension, at least in my gigabyte mobo/gtx 1070 combo: if you press a key from kb or clic on the mouse it's ok, normal resume but if you press PC's power button nothing will show up on the screen, you can suspend it again but nothing will show again until hard reset.
  • WC mobile app need some bug fixes
  • In the task manager I see its the local host service that using the data and takes all bandwidth. If I stop the service such as Windows update and background intelligent transmission something. It stops using the data. But I tried letting it download to make sure ot finishes the update, it downloaded abt 2GB and next day the same thing. I have to manually stop the process to be able to browse internet.
  • Hi, hope someone finds this. I am using the Administrator account on a Surface Pro 3 running windows 10 Pro. It makes me sign in every time I wake it from sleep. Even after trying each one of these methods. In fact in my power settings menu from the control panel, they've REMOVED the option to require password after waking from sleep all together. Why is Windows hamstringing the Administrator account? Why?
  • Windows Hello baby!