Disable the Windows 10 Lock Screen (Anniversary Update)

As you may know, Microsoft disabled some policies from working on Windows 10 Pro systems in the Anniversary Update.
Among the things that Windows 10 Pro admins cannot configure anymore is the lock screen behavior, or more precisely, the policy to turn off the lock screen.
While the lock screen may have its uses on some systems, it is just a delay for others who don't require its functionality and want the sign in done as quickly as possible.
Another reason why Windows 10 users may not want to see the lock screen is that Microsoft did use it to display ads (in form of wallpapers) in the past. While it is still possible to turn off lock screen ads in Windows 10's Anniversary Update edition, disabling the lock screen entirely cannot be done anymore using the Group Policy.
Good news is, there is still a method to turn off the lock screen in the latest version of Windows 10 (discovered on the Quarter of Three forum).
Disable the Windows 10 Lock Screen (Anniversary Update)
Update: Better Method that disables the Lock Screen completely (also on boot) (Thanks Glen)
- Tap on the Windows-key, type Local Security Policy and open the item of the same name.
- Select Software Restriction Policies > Additional Rules.
- If you don't see the menu, select Action > New Software Restriction Policies to create it.
- Right-click on the right pane and select New Path Rule.
- Under Path, paste C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.LockApp_cw5n1h2txyewy
- Make sure the security level is set to Disallowed.
- Click ok.
Old Methods continued
The method below uses a Windows tasks for turning off the lock screen in the latest version of Windows 10. Please note that it will only take care of the lock screen when you lock the computer, but not on start.
It adds a key to the Registry that Windows seems to honor once only. That's why a task needs to be used and adding the key manually to the Registry won't make the fix permanent.
Step 1: Open the Windows Task Scheduler
First step is to open the Windows Task Scheduler to add a new task to it. Tap on the Windows-key, type Task Scheduler and select the matching entry from the results.
Step 2: Creating the Task
Click on Create Task under Actions on the right-sidebar of the Task Scheduler interface once it opens on the system.
Step 3: Disable Windows 10 Lock Screen: General Tab
The first tab that opens is the general tab. Make the following adjustments on it:
- Name: Disable Windows Lock Screen.
- Check "Run with highest privileges".
- Configure for: Windows 10.
Step 4: Disable Windows 10 Lock Screen: Triggers Tab
Add the following two triggers (one after the other) by switching to the Triggers tab and clicking on the new button.
The only change you need to make is select the following parameters under "begin the task". Leave everything as is, and hit okay to save the trigger.
- First trigger: at log on
- Second trigger: on workstation unlock of any user
Step 5: Actions
Open the Actions tab and click on the new button there.
Keep "start a program" selected there and add the following information to the settings fields:
- Program/script: reg
- Add arguments (optional): add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\SessionData /t REG_DWORD /v AllowLockScreen /d 0 /f
Click on ok to save the new action.
Testing
Once you have configured and added the new task, you may want to run tests to make sure it works correctly. The easiest way to do so is to use Windows-L to lock the desktop. You may also restart the PC if you prefer that to test that behavior as well.
You will notice that the lock screen is skipped automatically on log in again.
Update: Ghacks Reader Len White posted a solution in the comments that disables the Windows 10 Lockscreen completely. Please note that the published patch modifies the file C:\Windows\System32\LogonController.dll. We recommend that you back up the file before you run the patcher so that you can go back should the need arise.
Update: Check out this tool linked in the comments. It should do away with the lockscreen on Windows 10.


What mental age of reader are you targeting with the first sentence? 10?
Why not write an article on how to *avoid* upgrading from W10 to W11. Analogous to those like me who avoided upgrading from 7 to 10 for as long as possible.
If your paymaster Microsoft permits it, of course.
5. Rufus
6. Ventoy
PS. I hate reading these “SEO optimized” articles.
I used Rufus to create an installer for a 6th gen intel i5 that had MBR. It upgraded using Setup. No issues except for Win 11 always prompting me to replace my local account. Still using Win 10 Pro on all my other PCs to avoid the bullying.
bit pointless to upgrade for the sake of upgrading as you never know when you’ll get locked out because ms might suddenly not provide updates to unsupported systems.
ps…. time travelling?
written. Jan 15, 2023
Updated • Jan 13, 2023
This happens when you schedule a post in WordPress and update it before setting the publication date.
Anyone willing to downgrade to this awful OS must like inflicting themselves with harm.
I have become convinced now that anybody who has no qualms with using Windows 11/10 must fit into one of the following brackets:
1) Too young to remember a time before W10 and W11 (doesn’t know better)
2) Wants to play the latest games on their PC above anything else (or deeply needs some software which already dropped W7 support)
3) Doesn’t know too much about how computers work, worried that they’d be absolutely lost and in trouble without the “”latest security””
4) Microsoft apologist that tries to justify that the latest “features” and “changes” are actually a good thing, that improve Windows
5) Uses their computer to do a bare minimum of like 3 different things, browse web, check emails, etc, so really doesn’t fuss
Obviously that doesn’t cover everyone, there’s also the category that:
6) Actually liked W7 more than 10, and held out as long as possible before switching, begrudgingly uses 10 now
Have I missed any group off this list?
You have missed in this group just about any professional user that uses business software like CAD programs or ERP Programs which are 99% of all professional users from this list.
Linux doesn’t help anyone who is not a linux kid and apple is just a fancy facebook machine.
Microsoft has removed KB5029351 update
only from windows update though
KB5029351 is still available from the ms update catalog site
1. This update is labaled as PREVIEW if it causes issues to unintelligent people, then they shouldn’t have allowed Preview updates ot install.
2. I have installed it in a 11 years old computer, and no problems at all.
3. Making a big drama over a bluescreen for an updated labeled as preview is ridiculous.
This is probably another BS internet drama where people ran programs and scripts that modified the registry until they broke Windows, just for removing stuff that they weren’t even using just for the sake of it.
Maybe people should stop playing geeks and actually either use Windows 10 or Windows 11, but don’t try to modify things just for the sake of it.
Sometimes removing or stopping things (like defender is a perfect example) only need intelligence, not scripts or 3rd party programs that might mess with windows.
Windows 11 was a pointless release, it was just created because some of the Windows team wanted to boost sales with some sort of new and improved Windows 10. Instead, Microsoft cannot support one version well let alone two.
Windows 11 is the worst ugly shame by Microsoft ever. They should release with every new W11 version a complete free version of Starallback inside just to make this sh** OS functionally again.
motherboard maker MSI has recently released a statement regarding the “unsupported processor” blue screen error for their boards using Intel 600/700 series chipsets & to avoid the KB5029351 Win11 update:
https://www.msi.com/news/detail/MSI-On–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–Error-Message-of-Windows-11-Update-KB5029351-Preview-142215
check out the following recent articles:
Neowin – Microsoft puts little blame on its Windows update after UNSUPPORTED PROCESSOR BSOD bug:
https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-puts-little-blame-on-its-windows-update-after-unsupported-processor-bsod-bug/
BleepingComputer – Microsoft blames ‘unsupported processor’ blue screens on OEM vendors:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-blames-unsupported-processor-blue-screens-on-oem-vendors/
While there may be changes or updates to the Windows 10 Store for Business and Education in the future, it is premature to conclude that it will be discontinued based solely on rumors.
My advice, I left win 15 years ago. Now I’m a happy linux user (linuxmint) but there is Centos, Fedora, Ubuntu depending on your needs.
motherboard maker MSI has recently released new BIOS/firmware updates for their Intel 600 & 700 series motherboards to fix the “UNSUPPORTED_PROCESSOR” problem (Sept. 6):
https://www.msi.com/news/detail/Updated-BIOS-fixes-Error-Message–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–caused-BSOD-on-MSI-s-Intel-700-and-600-Series-Motherboards-142277
I try to disable the Diagnostics Tracking Service (Connected Devices Platform User Services) but it wont let me disable it, any help will be greatly appreciated.
Tank you for your help