How to Hide Users on Windows 11 Sign-in Screen
Hiding user accounts on the Windows 11 sign-in screen removes specific profile names from view when you start your PC, keeping your login screen private without deleting the accounts. This method uses the Registry Editor (a built-in app that holds deep system settings) to block local user profiles from showing up on the startup list.
You can use this trick to hide built-in local accounts like the main Administrator account. This applies only to local logins and cannot hide standard Microsoft accounts linked to an email address.
Edit the Windows Registry by navigating to WinlogonSpecialAccountsUserList and creating a DWORD value for the username, setting its data to 0. This hides the user from the sign-in screen without deleting data.
Why Hide Users on 🪟 Windows 11?
Hiding user accounts on Windows 11 stops other people from seeing who uses your computer on the sign-in screen. This keeps your login names private and adds extra security against unwanted access. Your hidden account keeps working normally, but nobody else can see that it exists when they turn on your PC.
Hiding usernames on the Windows 11 sign-in screen adds a layer of security by obscuring the list of available accounts on your system, making it harder for unauthorized individuals to see who might be on your computer.
User accounts hidden from the Windows 11 sign-in screen remain fully functional but no longer appear visually. You must type the username manually to log in to these hidden accounts.
Before You Begin: Safety First
A mistake can cause system issues. Always create a System Restore point before proceeding. This allows you to revert your system to a working state if something goes wrong.
Method 1Using the Registry Editor (Advanced)
Registry Editor (a tool for changing advanced Windows system settings) lets you hide specific user accounts from your sign-in screen by creating a special exclusion list. This method requires careful steps because making a mistake in the registry can cause system problems. Follow each step closely to hide your chosen username without breaking anything on your computer.
- Press
Win + R, typeregedit, and press Enter. - Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon - If the
SpecialAccountskey does not exist underWinlogon, right-clickWinlogon, select New Key, and name itSpecialAccounts. - Inside
SpecialAccounts, create another key namedUserList. - Right-click in the right pane of
UserList, select New DWORD (32-bit) Value. - Name the DWORD exactly as the username you wish to hide (e.g.,
GenericUser). - Double-click the new DWORD and set the
Value datato0.
Downloadable Registry File
You can automate this by saving the following code as a .reg file:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList]
"GenericUser"=dword:00000000
Method 2Using Group Policy Editor (Pro/Enterprise Only)
If you use Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can use gpedit.msc. [Admin privileges required]
- Press
Win + R, typegpedit.msc, and hit Enter. - Go to
Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options. - Find
Interactive logon: Do not display last signed-inand set it to Enabled.
Summary
To hide users on Windows 11, you can use tools like the Registry Editor to keep your sign-in screen tidy and secure.
Was this guide helpful?
100% of readers found this helpful (1 votes)
About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
[…] display name in Windows refers to the full name of an account shown on the Sign-in screen, Start Menu, and Settings. This name can differ from the username used to sign in to the […]
[…] can turn Voice Access on or off from the lock screen using the accessibility menu on the Lock screen. Or you can have it start automatically every time by checking the setting “Start voice […]