How to Hide Users on Windows 11 Sign-in Screen

This article explains how to show or hide users from the Sign-in Screen in Windows 11.

What is the Lock Screen?

The lock screen is the screen you see when you turn on your computer. It appears before you sign in. You’ll also see it when your computer is locked after you step away or press Windows key + L.

What is the Sign-in Screen?

When you dismiss the lock screen, the sign-in screen will appear. This screen shows all users at the bottom left corner. You can select a user from the list to sign into Windows.

Why Hide Users on the Sign-in Screen?

Windows has a setting that lets you hide all users at the bottom of the Sign-in screen. Instead of listing all user accounts, you will see a Switch user button.

When you click the Switch user button, the users list will appear again. This gives you privacy by not showing all user accounts to anyone looking at your computer.

How to Hide or Show Users on the Sign-in Screen

Follow these steps to hide or show users on your Windows 11 sign-in screen.

1. Open the Windows Registry and navigate to this folder key:
   

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

   
   
2. [Admin privileges required] If you don’t see the Winlogon folder key, right-click on the CurrentVersion key. Then create a new subkey called Winlogon.

3. 

4. Right-click the empty space in the Winlogon folder’s right pane. Select New then DWORD (32-bit) Value. Type a new key named DisableBackButton.
5. Double-click the new key item DisableBackButton. Make sure the Base option is set to Decimal. Then update the Value data:
   • Type 1 to show all users on the sign-in screen.
   • Type 0 to hide all users on the sign-in screen.

6. 

7. Save your changes and restart your computer.

That’s all you need to do!

Summary

This guide showed you how to hide or show users on the Windows 11 sign-in screen. By using the Windows Registry, you can control whether all user accounts appear or stay hidden behind a “Switch user” button. This lets you customize your sign-in screen the way you want it. You’ll need admin privileges to make these changes. After updating the registry value, restart your computer to see the changes take effect.