Configure Autologin for a VM in VMware Workstation

If you use VMware Workstation to run virtual machines regularly, setting up autologin can save you time and streamline your workflow—especially if you’re working with test environments or kiosk systems. This post walks you through the steps to configure autologin for a Windows virtual machine.

Why Set Up Autologin?

Autologin automatically logs a user into Windows without requiring a password at startup. It’s useful when:

• You’re testing software and want to skip login every time.
• You’re setting up a demo or kiosk-style VM.
• You’re running automated tasks that don’t need manual sign-in.

⚠️ Note: Use autologin only on non-sensitive VMs. It stores login credentials in plain text in the registry, which can be a security risk.

Step-by-Step: Enable Autologin in a Windows VM

1. Boot Up the VM

Start the Windows VM you want to configure. Log in as the user you want to auto-login with.

2. Open the Registry Editor

Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter. This opens the Windows Registry Editor.

3. Navigate to the Winlogon Registry Key

Go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

4. Set Registry Values

Make sure these values exist and set them accordingly:

• AutoAdminLogon
  Value: 1
  Type: String (REG_SZ)
• DefaultUsername
  Value: Your Windows account username
  Type: String (REG_SZ)
• DefaultPassword
  Value: Your Windows account password
  Type: String (REG_SZ)

If DefaultPassword doesn’t exist, right-click and create a new String Value.

🔐 Security Tip: Anyone with access to the VM can read this password in the registry.

5. Restart the VM

After setting the registry keys, restart the VM. It should log in automatically to the specified user account.

Optional: Skip Lock Screen (Windows 10/11)

To go straight to the desktop, also disable the lock screen:

1. Open Local Group Policy Editor by running gpedit.msc.
2. Navigate to:
   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization
3. Enable Do not display the lock screen.

Final Notes

Autologin works well for disposable or secured environments where convenience matters more than tight security. For production systems or any VM that handles sensitive data, avoid using autologin—or at least be cautious with how credentials are stored.

Got a specific use case? Let me know in the comments—I’ll help you tailor the setup.