Windows 10 Ghost User Account

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  1. Posts : 8
    Windows 10 pro
       #1

    Windows 10 Ghost User Account


    I've searched high and low on the web. It seems like this has been discussed alot but unfortunatley none of the fixes i have found worked. Here is my issue:
    I have 2 users on my PC. My PC boots right into one of the users but I do not want that. I'd like the PC to boot like in Windows 7 where you choose the user.
    What i found was i have to go into netplwiz and uncheck "User Must Enter a user name and password to use this computer". When i do that and reboot it creates another instance of the user I set a password for. When i enter the password for the user it says incorrect password. So i choose the ghost user (same name) ansd enter the password and it logs in.
    How do I get rid of the second (ghost user)?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,995
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello grod777, and welcome to Ten Forums.

    Usually when this happens, an incorrect password was entered in netplwiz.

    If you want Windows 10 to automatically sign in to your account at startup, then you will need to setup netplwiz again using the correct password.

    If you don't want Windows 10 to automatically sign in to your account at startup, then you will need to check the box in netplwiz.

    Sign in User Account Automatically at Windows 10 Startup
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 8
    Windows 10 pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks Brink. I did try that but when I check the box it logs into one of my accounts automatically. Which is what i dont want. If I uncheck the box then thats when i get the dual usernames at bootup.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 68,995
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #4

    Just to verify, when you checked the box in netplwiz, did you click on OK afterwards to apply?

    If so, Windows should not automatically sign in to the account at startup.

    Does this account have a password?
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 8
    Windows 10 pro
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I did check OK. I have a password now after I unchecked the option.
    But I will try again. After trioed so many things I almost gave up.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 68,995
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #6

    Changing the account's password after unchecking the box in netplwiz is why you have this incorrect password and ghost account on the sign-in screen.

    netplwiz stores the password independently, so if you change the account's password it breaks netplwiz until it is set up again.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 8
    Windows 10 pro
    Thread Starter
       #7

    So I went back and checked the box, rebooted and it logged striaght into the account. I have currently 2 users and the admin account setup. I've been testing this with the admin account so thos last attempt was with the admin account. I'm usually pretty good with figuring these things out but I'm at a loss.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 68,995
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #8

    Do both accounts have a password?

    Any chance you may have turned on or enabled this below?

    Use sign-in info to auto finish after Update or Restart in Windows 10

    Do note, this will only affect at startup, and not at wakeup if this may be the issue.

    Turn On or Off Require Sign-in on Wakeup in Windows 10
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 8
    Windows 10 pro
    Thread Starter
       #9

    None of the accounts have passwords. I only set a password when unchecking off the box

    I did check off Use sign in... option. So it’s actually off.
    I didn’t mess with require sign in on wake up.

    This issue is only on boot up. Once I’m logged into a user and then log off only one instance of the user appears on the logo on screen.

    Ultimately what I want is to boot my PC and have to choose a user to log into without a password. Same as in windows 7.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 68,995
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #10

    In that case, make sure the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box is checked in netplwiz.

    Next, make sure both accounts have a password.

    Add Password to Local Account in Windows 10
      My Computers


 

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