Control Your Windows Startup Programs

Down with Passwords: There’s More Than One Way to Log On to Windows 10

There are a handful of ways to get around logging on to Windows 10 without having to use the default password method. In fact, you can even skip using a password altogether with some minor tweaks.

Although some of the alternative log-ons require using touch screen tech, there are mouse and keyboard roundabouts are built into the OS, too. Let’s survey how you can circumvent the password log-on.

But First, an Explanation for Why There Are Passwords on Your Machine

If you’re going to use Windows 10, Microsoft requires a Microsoft account. There’s no way around this. That’s because Microsoft wants to be tethered to your PC for security updates, password resets, online connection, access to the Microsoft Store, and for automatic updates.

But Microsoft knows passwords can be troublesome (some of us have memory issues, for example), so they have built half a dozen different ways to log on to your PC beyond the traditional password. Some of these require your PC or laptop have integrated biometric hardware such as fingerprint readers, camera-based facial readers or eye scanners. If your computer has any of this special hardware you will be able to set up a sign-in using Windows Hello. For the purposes of the Windows Secrets reader, we will focus on the four accessible alternate methods of logging on — ones that don’t rely on biometrics.

Password Avoidance Method #1:Use a Four Digit PIN

Just like the personal identification number or PIN used with automated teller machines, Windows 10 users can log on using a four digit PIN in place of that easily forgotten password. Of course, setting up the PIN for the first time requires you to log on with your ID and password. But if you opt to go the PIN route you won’t be needing the password again when booting up your computer.

To set up a PIN go to Settings+Accounts+Sign-in options. Jump to Settings menu by clicking or touching the Gear icon found just above the Power icon on the bottom left of the Start menu. On the sign-in options window you will see the various methods for setting up alternate logons. Click Add under PIN. Here you will be prompted this one time for your password just to verify your identity.

Once your password is verified the PIN entry window appears. Enter four numbers and confirm that entry by entering them again. Only numbers are accepted here. Letter keys in this set up are blocked. If you have a keyboard with a number pad, you can enter your PIN there.

The next time you boot up your computer or return from a Lock screen, the password entry will change to the PIN. Either type the four numbers in or if you have a touch screen, tap the PIN bar and an on screen keypad will appear for you to tap in the numbers.

Password Avoidance Method Method #2: Marks on a Picture

This method uses an image or photo of your choice to which you make three lines or circles whose locations only you know. While this method was created with touchscreens and tablets in mind, it will work for the password-averse with mice and touchpads on non-touch computers.

Go to Settings+Accounts+Sign-in Options and click Add under Picture password. On the next screen click the Choose picture button. But wait, before you do that check out the action on the sample flower picture which offers a demo of how you will mark up your selected photo. Okay, now click the Choose picture button.

Select your photo. Now its time to “finger paint.” Select a particular part of the photo and using your finger (or mouse) draw a circle or extend a line. You will need to remember the size and direction of your gestures and the order you place them. Now make a second and third mark. With each mark the 1-2-3 pictured on the left side will count down. When the system accepts the three marks with a “Congratulations” your picture password is set.

Now it is time to actually test this method. Press Windows +L to go to the Lock screen. Dismiss it by swiping up on the screen or pressing a key. The Picture Password screen appears. Make your recorded gestures on the screen with your finger, or the less preferable mouse or touchpad. If you forget any part of this you can always revert to your dreaded character password.

Password Avoidance Method #3: No Sign-In Required At All

Passwords of any type are a security deterrent there can be no doubt. However if your PC does not venture out of your home and if you are the sole user, eliminating the sign-in screen altogether can be a worthwhile speedup to getting right to the Desktop when you boot up or when the PC wakes up.

To require no password when starting up your PC press Windows key+R or type cmd in the Start search bar. In the Run window type netplwiz. This will bring up a User Accounts window. Select the User Name you want to be password free. You will then be prompted to enter your actual password for this user as if you were signing on to Windows for the first time.

The next time you start or restart your computer the yelps of sheer joy as you speed directly to the desktop will be heard for miles around. But again — because you forfeit all security on this computer, using this method should be weighed carefully before setting it up.

Password Avoidance Method #4: Creating a Forgotten Password Disk

It happens to all of us. You forget your Windows passphrase and can’t log on or get to your files. You can always reset it at account.live.com/password/reset. But Microsoft has provided another trick for that password amnesia: The Password Reset Disk.

The disk is actually a USB flash drive. To create it, insert a USB flash drive while you are currently logged in. Open the Settings page by clicking the gear icon in the Start menu. On the settings page, search for password reset. The first result should be Create a password reset disk. Click to open it. It will only work if the system detects that USB flash drive has been inserted.

Follow the instructions which follow in the creation wizard. Type your current password when prompted. The reset key will be saved. Keep the USB flash drive in a safe place until the day you will need it.

When that fateful time comes, leave the password entry empty and press Enter. You will get a prompt with a password hint, if you created one. If the hint doesn’t snap your memory, stick the USB password reset drive into a USB port. Hit Enter and this time besides the hint you should see Reset password. Click that link and the Reset Wizard will appear for you to create a new password and a hint to remember it.

The Password Reset Disk will stick work as it logged that new password you just created. So save it for the next time this happens, if ever.

Bonus Tip: Why Password Managers Won’t Work Here

Password managers like LastPass, Dashlane, and 1Password certainly offer the best way to remember the zillions of passwords we have for various websites. At this point they are the best solution to automatically filling in ID and password forms on sites that require passwords to have accounts or just plain access.

But password managers cannot be used for Windows logons or, in fact, any Windows applications. Password managers work only in the cloud by storing web passwords only, creating a personal vault where only one master password is used to maintain them.

Control Your Windows Startup Programs

You can free up memory and boost performance by putting the kibosh on unnecessary startup programs.

Every program that automatically loads when Windows starts up chews up more of your PC’s memory. The more programs that muscle their way into your startup routine, the less available memory you have to run your applications. And many programs that start up automatically don’t necessarily need to do so. How can you control your Windows startup programs? In Windows 7, you can use the System Configuration tool. In Windows 8.1 and 10, you can use the Task Manager. But if these built-in tools aren’t sufficient, you can turn to a third-party utility. Such tools as Sysinternals AutoRuns and Autorun Organizer can help you determine which programs you can kick out of your startup routine and how to give them the heave-ho. Let’s see how you can get a better handle on your Windows startup programs.

Many Windows programs like to climb onboard your startup routine. Some programs do legitimately need to launch at startup, such as anti-virus software and backup software like Microsoft OneDrive. But a lot of programs insist on starting up automatically whether or not they need to. That may be fine if you want such programs to be readily available every time you launch Windows. But having them in your startup routine typically isn’t necessary to use them. The hard part is figuring out which programs should stay in your startup routine and which ones you can safely remove.

Windows 7

Let’s start off with Windows 7. To see what programs are starting automatically, hold down the Windows key and press R to launch the Run command. In the Open field, type msconfig. The System Configuration tool pops up. Click on the Startup tab to see your startup programs. You can sort them by name, manufacturer, command, and other attributes.

Windows 7 doesn’t offer any direct way to help you determine which startup programs you can disable. Your best bet is to jump onto the Web. At your favorite search engine, type the word startup followed by the name of the program, such as startup spotify. You should find some search results that can tell you if you can kick the program out of your startup routine and how to do it.

In many cases, the program itself offers an option whereby you can stop it from automatically launching. If not, then you can use the System Configuration tool. To disable a startup item, simply click on its checkbox to remove the check. You can disable a few startup items but don’t disable too many in one shot. You want to make sure that preventing these programs from automatically starting doesn’t have any adverse effects. When done, click OK.

Windows prompts you to reboot your computer. Click on Restart. Sign back into Windows. Make sure no error messages pop up. Then try running the program that you disabled to make sure it still works properly. Continue this process until you’ve kicked out all the startup programs you don’t need.

Windows 8.1 and 10

Windows 8.1 and 10 introduced a new and more effective way to view and disable your startup programs. In either version of Windows, right-click on the Taskbar and click on Task Manager from the menu. At the Task Manager window, click on the Startup tab.

Right off the bat, Windows tries to give you a helping hand. Along with the name, publisher, and status listed for each program is a column for Startup impact. This indicates how disabling this program would affect Windows. The impact can be None, Low, Medium, or High. A None or Medium typically means it’s safe to disable the program. A Medium means it’s borderline. And a High means it’s best to leave it alone.

To learn more about a certain startup program, right-click on it and click on Properties. Then click on the various tabs in the Properties window. The Details section can be especially helpful at serving up some information on the program.

Right-click on the startup program and this time click on Search online. Windows automatically launches your default browser to run a search for the item you selected.

You can investigate the search results to help you determine if you can safely disable the startup item. To disable any startup program, right-click on it and then click on Disable from the menu, or select the item and then click on the Disable button in the lower right corner. After you’ve disabled the programs you don’t want to start up, reboot your PC. Make sure all is working properly, especially with the programs you disabled.

Third-Party Startup Managers

Want even more control over your startup programs? You can find that with a couple of third-party startup managers. One such utility is AutoRuns from Microsoft’s Sysinternals. Download and extract the zip file for AutoRuns. Then trigger the program directly from its executable file. No installation required. AutoRuns opens to display the full array of all startup items in Windows.

The free utility organizes all your startup items by Registry key. The Everything tab literally shows you everything that starts up automatically, including software, services, drivers, plugins, and addins. Click on each of the other tabs to see only the startup items associated with that category. To help you determine whether you can safely disable a specific startup, right-click on its entry and then click on the command to Search Online. Your default browser opens with search results for the item you selected. From the results, you should be able to tell what the program does and whether you can disable it. To stop an item from starting up automatically, simply click on its checkbox to turn off the checkmark.

Another free and effective startup manager is Autorun Organizer. After downloading and installing the executable file, you can launch the program at the end of the setup process. Autorun Organizer displays all your startup programs with helpful details so you can better decide which ones to jettison.

Click on a specific startup item. In some cases, Autorun Organizer tells you what type of impact the program has on your Windows system. For example, a high impact means you should leave the program alone. Right-click on an entry and click on the command to Search Online. Your browser opens with search results that tell you what the program does and whether it’s okay to disable it from your startup routine. You can then opt to remove the item from startup altogether, temporarily disable it, or delay its launch by a certain number of seconds. Autorun Organizer even offers to analyze your startup programs and optimize specific ones by delaying their launch.

Whatever tool you use to manage your startup programs, the process will help free up memory and should coax a better performance out of Windows.