Windows 8: Disable Required Password When Waking Computer from Sleep

Last Updated on December 25, 2012

Windows 8 goes into Sleep mode after several minutes of inactivity. You can move the mouse or hit a key to wake it up, but it makes you log in each time. While this provides an extra layer of security in an office setting, it can be annoying for a single user.

Disable Required Password when Waking Windows 8 from Sleep

From the desktop or Start screen use the keyboard shortcut WinKey + W to bring up Settings search and type: power in the search field.

Then click the Power Options icon under search results.

The Power Options screen opens on the desktop. From the right panel click the “Require a Password on Wakeup” link.

On the next screen click “Change Settings that are Currently Unavailable” so you can access Password Protection options aren’t available.

Now, under “Password Protection on Wakeup” select Don’t Require a Password and Save Changes.

Tip: For a faster way to get into Windows when waking it up, set up a four digit PIN to Log on. This allows you to have the extra security layer, but get into the OS easier. You can also disable the Lock Screen when logging in. I don’t recommend disabling these Lock Screen security features as a general rule. But it makes things smoother if your Windows 8 system is in an isolated place and only you can access it.

3 Comments

Seoras
‘Don’t require a password’ is disabled in my screen. How can enable it?
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Brian Burgess
@Seoras are you logged in as Administrator?
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- seoras
  Thanks, but I got it okay – it was my own stupidity, nothing more. It was a tablet and I just wasn’t using it correctly.
  Reply