Can not boot into Win 10..."Netplwiz" question

I have a windows question. My laptop is running windows 10 (which was a free upgrade from Microsoft). Somehow through some corruption, when I boot my computer I get the windows screen saver splash screen. You are supposed to hit the enter key and then you get the log on screen where I can enter my password. What was happening is, when I hit the enter screen, the screen flashes and then goes back to the splash screen preventing me from entering a password. Well fortunately I have a finger print reader to enter password. That works, so I am able to get into computer that way.
However, I wanted to fix the problem so I can get the log on screen (in case I wanted to change my password or have another user log on). I made the mistake of asking a forum how to do this and I got back the following answer. Use “Netplwiz” command, to access my user account information. There is a “check” box where you can uncheck the box. When you do this, windows will no longer require a logon and when you boot computer you will get directly into windows without any password.
Well this was a mistake, now when I boot my computer I get nothing except a blank screen showing my mouse arrow (which does move when I move the mouse). But I cannot get into the computer. I tried pressing F11 which gets the recovery manager. I found out that somewhere along the line, my computer set the system restore to ZERO bytes. (I did not do this). I am not sure when this happened.
If I do a factory restore, it will put my computer back to Vista and I don’ know how I can get back to windows 10, since I do not have the disk. I really would prefer not to this.
I can get to the command prompt and I can remove hard drive and connect to another computer as an external drive. So here is my question:
Is there any way I can access the registry or some system file, so I can UNDO what I did with “Neplwiz” (perhaps changing “false” to “true”), or any other means so I can repair the computer with minimal headache?

"Use “Netplwiz” command, to access my user account information. There is a “check” box where you can uncheck the box. When you do this, windows will no longer require a logon and when you boot computer you will get directly into windows without any password."

Un-checking this didn't fix the issue ? If this happened after waking from sleep or hibernation, try this tutorial to require password after wake - Turn On or Off Require Sign-in on Wakeup in Windows 10

"somewhere along the line, my computer set the system restore to ZERO bytes. (I did not do this). I am not sure when this happened."

If you just got the Creators Update recently, this is normal for every major re-build, System restore is turned off when the new OS is installed. You have to reset this yourself.

"I don’ know how I can get back to windows 10, since I do not have the disk. "

You can always do an In-place repair/upgrade which will reinstall the most current Windows 10 and elect to keep your files and apps. If you did, indeed get Creators Update, this shouldn't reset much but will give you a fresh system ( (you need to be able to login with fingerprint to use this method) )-
Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

I like to use Option 4, download and put ISO on desktop then r-click mount/open and run setup.exe Would be good idea to put ISO on a usb in case you need a repair vs factory reset, like having a Windows 10 dvd on a stick. Good Luck

My Computer came with Vista and a free upgrade disk to windows 7. From there I was given a FREE upgrade to Win 10 from Microsoft.
Mr. Geek, . Thank-you for your reply. your answer is good but it is too late for that. I can NOT get into my computer,
I can get to the command prompt and I can remove hard drive and connect to another computer as an external drive. So here is my question:
Is there any way I can access the registry or some system file, so I can UNDO what I did with “Neplwiz” (perhaps changing “false” to “true”), or any other means so I can repair the computer with minimal headache? (ie: rebuilding from scratch)

@fetrunner,

You have a couple options to try. First thing is to make a Window 10 installation USB flash drive or DVD. The easiest way is Option 1 here:
Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10 - Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

Then you will want to try enabling the built-in Administrator Account using option 4 here:
Enable or Disable Elevated Administrator account in Windows 10 - Windows 10 User Accounts Tutorials

With the built-in administrator account enabled, you might get the login screen back. While you are in the troubled computers registry, you might also want to look here:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...gon-in-windows

Delete the DefaultPassword key if it exists. If the AutoAdminLogin key exists, set it to 0.

If none of that works, then you can certainly remove the hard drive and connect it to the other computer and copy any files you want to keep off the hard drive. Then you can put the hard drive back in the laptop and do a clean install using the USB flash drive or DVD you created.

You could also use this as an excuse to upgrade to an SSD

NavyLCDR,

Will this fix my problem? Will I be able to get into my computer without a reinstall of windows or loss of files? Can I download win 10 on a flash drive from different computer? (since my laptop is unusable at this point?
Your help is appreciated

Thanks

fetrunner said:

Will this fix my problem?

It might.

fetrunner said:

Will I be able to get into my computer without a reinstall of windows or loss of files?

Maybe.

fetrunner said:

Can I download win 10 on a flash drive from different computer? (since my laptop is unusable at this point?

Yes.

Thanks

Lance

"Well fortunately I have a finger print reader to enter password. That works, so I am able to get into computer that way."

I thought you could get to the desktop so you could do an In-place repair/upgrade from ISO or usb ?

I used to. But once I "unchecked" disable logon screen. I was no longer able to use finger print reader. As a side note.
from one the the articles you sent me on "option 4" it seems I may be able to get to "Regedit' from the command prompt (see image below). All I need is for someone clever to tell me HOW I can use the registry editor to put that "check" BACK into the check box in "Netplwiz". Are You that clever person? Thanks