Windows automatically logged me in

selim · 11 Apr 2021

Hi, when I powered on my computer this morning, it automatically logged me in. I was surprised and thought maybe I already had entered the password. To verify, I restarted the computer and again didn't require any password.

I followed the directions at this link:

Sign in User Account Automatically at Windows 10 Startup

I noticed that "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer" box was unchecked.
I definitely didn't uncheck it, I didn't even know where this setting was. No one else uses this computer but me.
Should I be worried ? Could this be some type of virus?

Thanks for any feedback.

This is Windows 10 Enterprise edition
Version 20H2

ArazelEternal · 11 Apr 2021

Seeing as you are running Win 10 Enterprise, is this a PC issued to you by a company that you work for?

Ive never heard of an issue like this before. Its possible that it is some really obscure bug in Windows that shows up once every million times. ITs also possible that it is some type of virus, though, unless you have noticed other weird behavior or system slowdowns that are unexpected, I wouldnt get too worried.

To be safe, I would still run a virus scan using Malwarebytes if you can. If its a company issued PC, it may be locked down with Group Policy to prevent users from installing software.

selim · 11 Apr 2021

ArazelEternal, thanks for the quick reply!
I am using my company's version of Windows on my personal computer since I do work related stuff on it. However, it's not a member of the company's domain so I don't get group policies.
I will run Malwarebytes and Full Scan with Microsoft Defender.
Thanks again!

ArazelEternal · 11 Apr 2021

After running those scans, I would also run a couple more for checking the integrity of system files.

In a elevated command prompt or powershell, run: dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth This will check to see if there is any component store corruption. If there is, then run: dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

After this, run sfc /scannow This will tell you if there is any system file corruption and fix it if there is.

I run both of these on my own system periodically to make sure there is none.

selim · 11 Apr 2021

Thanks for the tips ArazelEternal! I appreciate your help!

I ran

"dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth"

and got

No component store corruption detected.
The operation completed successfully.

I also ran

sfc /scannow

and it's all good.

At this point, I won't worry about it unless it starts acting up and performance slows down.

Thanks again!

jbcarreon123 · 12 Apr 2021

Check the
Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer checkbox.
or if you don't have a password,
Add a password.