How to Enable or Disable Ctrl+Alt+Delete Secure Sign-in on Lock Screen in Windows 11

What You Need

Option 1Use the User Accounts Tool

1. Open the User Accounts tool (netplwiz).
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. Check the box next to Require users to press Ctrl+Alt+Del to turn it on. Uncheck it to turn it off.
4. Click OK.

Option 2Use Local Security Policy

You can change the Windows 11 secure sign-in setting using the Local Security Policy tool if you have Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education. To open this tool, type secpol.msc into your 🔍 search bar and press Enter. Then, find Local Policies and click on Security Options to make your changes.

1. ⚙️ Admin Required: Open Local Security Policy by typing secpol.msc in your 🔍 search bar.
2. In the left pane, click Local Policies, then click Security Options.
3. In the right pane, double-click Interactive Logon: Do not require Ctrl+Alt+Del.
4. Select Enabled to turn off secure sign-in. Select Disabled to turn it on.
5. Click OK.
6. Close Local Security Policy if you want.

Option 3Use the Registry

⚙️ Admin Required: The Windows Registry is a more advanced system area. Proceed with caution, as incorrect changes can sometimes lead to problems.

To Turn On Secure Sign-in

Turning on the Ctrl+Alt+Del secure sign-in requirement in Windows 11 means making a small change in the Windows Registry. This ensures the secure sign-in prompt is active every time you log in. You’ll use a specific command to set the registry entry correctly to activate this security feature.

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v DisableCAD /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v DisableCAD /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v DisableCAD /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v DisableCAD /f

To Turn Off Secure Sign-in

Turning off the Ctrl+Alt+Del secure sign-in prompt on your Windows 11 lock screen involves adjusting a setting in the Windows Registry. This change removes the extra step before you can sign in. You will use a specific command to set the registry entry to disable this feature.

Set the entry:

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v DisableCAD /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v DisableCAD /f
reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v DisableCAD /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v DisableCAD /f

Summary

In summary, you can control the Windows 11 secure sign-in feature using the User Accounts tool, Local Security Policy, or the Registry to prevent fake sign-in screens.