Automatically Dismiss The Lock Screen When Windows Recognizes Your Face

In this guide, learn how to automatically dismiss the lock screen, if Windows 10 recognizes your face.

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin
2 min read
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In Windows 10, Windows Hello Face is integrated into Windows Biometric Framework (WBF). This feature is designed to offer enterprise grade identity verification to customers. You might have heard that Windows Hello Face is only available on devices which have its compatible hardware installed. That’s true and the camera used in the Windows Hello Face authentication is specialized in near infrared (IR) imaging.

If you’re using Windows 10 V1607 or later, Microsoft has provided the ability to automatically dismiss lock screen, when your face is recognized. You can manually turn on this option using either of methods mentioned below.

Automatically Dismiss The Lock Screen When Windows Recognizes Your Face

WAY 1 – Using Settings App

1. Right click Start Button or press W8K + X keys and select Settings.

2. In the Settings app, navigate to Accounts > Sign-in options.

3. In right pane of Sign-in options, under Windows Hello Face, turn On the Automatically dismiss the lock screen if Windows recognizes your face option.

Automatically Dismiss The Lock Screen When Windows Recognizes Your Face

4. Your settings should be immediately applied. You can now close Settings app and return to Desktop.

Method 2 – Using Registry

1. Right click on W8K and select Command Prompt (Admin). In the administrative Command Prompt window, type following command:

wmic useraccount where name='<USERNAME>' get sid

*Replace <USERNAME> with your actual user account name.

Once command is executed, note down the security identifier (SID).

Registry Disclaimer: The further steps will involve registry manipulation. Making mistakes while manipulating registry could affect your system adversely. So be careful while editing registry entries and create a System Restore point first.

2. Press W8K + R and type regedit in Run dialog box to open Registry Editor (if you’re not familiar with Registry Editor, then click here). Click OK.

3. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\FaceLogon\<YOUR SID>.

*Substitute your user account SID obtained in step 1.

4. In the right pane, double click on the AutoDismissOn registry DWORD (REG_DWORD) and set it to 1 to automatically dismiss lock screen, when Windows recognizes your face.

5. Close Registry Editor and reboot to make changes effective.

Hope you find the guide useful!

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Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin

Kapil holds Microsoft MVP title in Windows IT Pro expertise, 11-times in a row (2014-2025). He is 8-times Windows Insider MVP as well, and author of 'Windows Group Policy Troubleshooting' book. In 2015, Microsoft India accomplished him as 'Windows 10 Champion'. Being passionate Windows blogger, he loves to help others on fixing their system issues. Kapil has worked with official Microsoft Community Engagement Team (CET) on several community projects. You can subscribe him for news/updates and fixes for Windows.

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