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

What You Need

Administrator privileges are required to change this setting.

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

Local Security Policy allows you to configure Windows 11 secure sign-in if you run Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions. You can open the Local Security Policy tool by typing secpol.msc into your taskbar 🖥️ search and pressing Enter. This built-in administrative console lets you change advanced security settings that are not available in the standard Settings app ⚙️.

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

Windows 11 secure sign-in requires you to press Ctrl+Alt+Del before you can type your password, which stops malicious apps from faking the login screen. Turning on this feature adds an extra layer of protection to your computer by making sure only Windows can access the sign-in screen. You can enable it quickly by updating a registry value or using the system security settings.

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 Windows 11 secure sign-in lets you log in to your computer right away without pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete first. Disabling this prompt removes the extra keystroke so you can get to your desktop faster when you start your PC. You can turn it off by changing a registry key or adjusting your user account settings.

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

Control this feature through the User Accounts tool, Local Security Policy, or the Windows Registry depending on your edition of Windows.