In case you ended up with a new PC running Windows 8 and need to disable the hugely annoying lock screen (might be good for tablets but mostly certainly lame on PCs) when all you want to see is the login prompt then you are in luck.
If you are running Windows 8 Pro edition then you can follow the instructions here: http://blog.laptopmag.com/how-to-eliminate-the-win8-lock-screen
If you are running Windows 8 (aka Core) edition then the instructions linked to above won't work for you since you'll likely not have gpedit.msc in your copy of the OS. Instead you'll need to tinker with the registry using the steps that follow.
1. Start the run dialog by pressing WINKEY + R, then type “regedit” and hit ENTER
2. It is strongly recommended that you backup your registry by using the "File" -> "Export" menu.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization
4. You may have to create the final “Personalization” key. Just right click on “Windows” and select “New” and “Key”
5. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) with the name NoLockScreen and set the value to 1.
6. Once your changes appear like in the screen shot above, close the registry editor.
7. Confirm that the lock screen is disabled like in the screen shot below. You can do this using the Windows Charms menu (WINKEY + C) , click "Settings", then "Change PC Settings" at the lower right hand corner of the pane.
Credit goes to "Mike" in the comments on the original article.
If you are running Windows 8 Pro edition then you can follow the instructions here: http://blog.laptopmag.com/how-to-eliminate-the-win8-lock-screen
If you are running Windows 8 (aka Core) edition then the instructions linked to above won't work for you since you'll likely not have gpedit.msc in your copy of the OS. Instead you'll need to tinker with the registry using the steps that follow.
1. Start the run dialog by pressing WINKEY + R, then type “regedit” and hit ENTER
2. It is strongly recommended that you backup your registry by using the "File" -> "Export" menu.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization
4. You may have to create the final “Personalization” key. Just right click on “Windows” and select “New” and “Key”
5. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) with the name NoLockScreen and set the value to 1.
6. Once your changes appear like in the screen shot above, close the registry editor.
7. Confirm that the lock screen is disabled like in the screen shot below. You can do this using the Windows Charms menu (WINKEY + C) , click "Settings", then "Change PC Settings" at the lower right hand corner of the pane.
Credit goes to "Mike" in the comments on the original article.
