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

Why This Matters

Using Ctrl+Alt+Del for Windows 11 secure sign-in adds an important layer of protection. It makes sure you are signing into the real Windows login screen and not a fake one made by malware trying to steal your password. This extra step helps keep your account safe.

Secure sign-in adds extra protection to Windows 11. Secure sign-in forces users to press Ctrl+Alt+Del before signing in. This action prevents fake sign-in screens created by malware from stealing your password.

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, but this option is only for Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education versions. To open it, type secpol.msc in your 🔍 search bar and press Enter. Then, navigate to Local Policies and click on Security Options.

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

To Turn On Secure Sign-in

To turn on the Ctrl+Alt+Del secure sign-in requirement in Windows 11, you need to make 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 command to set the registry entry correctly.

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

If you want to turn off the Ctrl+Alt+Del secure sign-in prompt on your Windows 11 lock screen, you can adjust 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.

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 easily 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.