Setting a password lock screen on Win 7 laptop

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[LHiggins]

Hello,

I have a question about setting up a login password for my old Win 7 laptop similar to the lock screen login that’s on my Win 10.

I think I know how to do that – in Control Panel, Accounts – but I have a question about whether I need to set one up for each user – there are 4 user accounts – or does setting it up for one apply to them all?

I also want to know if, once set up, there’s a way to remove it so I don’t have to login with a password.

And one other thing, if each user needs a separate login, can I set up just one to “test” this before doing them all?

Thanks for the help!

LH

• This topic was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by LHiggins.

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Passwords in Win7 are set up individually for each account in Control Panel\Accounts.
You do not have to set a password for every user.
If you decide you want to login without a password, you just change the password for an individual user from the current value and leave the “Change” blank.

Yes, you can test any one user by setting up a password for that one account.
You can remove the password as described above.

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LHiggins

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Depending upon your account sensitivity – do read about PW strength. There is no format “minimum” requirement. For testing I’ve used just a single letter.

And think too about creating a Hint. Who else might understand it?

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LHiggins

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OK, one  more time…

Can I set up the administrator account without a password?

Can I setup an individual account with administrator privileges so I can log in under that individual account and not be constantly required to provide permissions for any actions that require administrator privileges?

Sorry for asking again but I’ve been through some OS changes and just trying to simplify operations again.

Retired Rocket Scientist

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DrRon wrote:

Can I set up the administrator account without a password?

Yes, but it is not secure for an account that has Administrator privileges. Especially it you’re using it to do Internet browsing and installing applications. It leaves the computer open for exploitation from the Internet and malicious programs.

DrRon wrote:

Can I setup an individual account with administrator privileges so I can log in under that individual account and not be constantly required to provide permissions for any actions that require administrator privileges?

You can set up an account without a password (see above), but the popup that requests Admin privileges depends on how the User Account Control (UAC) is set. You can tighten the UAC so it bugs you all the time, or only when you do administrative things like install programs, or you can turn it OFF. I do not recommend the latter because it leaves the computer completely vulnerable.

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DrRon

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Great – thanks to you both for the help! I’ve decided it’s probably time to put a little more security on the few older laptops that are still around and probably have some “sensitive” info on them.

And good tip about creating a good password – I’ll check that part out!

Thanks again to you both!

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