Password required but set up for password not required?

I am working with a Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit desktop computer. I have the settings to never go to sleep and to go to a blank screen after 10 minutes of being idle. I have it set to only require a password on boot up. It's been working fine for over a year. Now it is requiring the password every time a key is hit to bring the screen back up. I have checked the settings at least 4 times and they have not changed. I hope someone can help with this before I go completely bald from tearing my hair out!

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

To be clear, you have unchecked this option, right?

Screen Saver Password Protection -Enable or Disable

That was not unchecked. I unchecked it and tested and it still wanted the password.

You might not have this setting:

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Power Options\Edit Plan Settings

Change advanced power settings

That one I actually have marked as "no". I also tried a re-boot and it still wants the password.

Now that you have rebooted - please check to see that the setting held as shown in this post.

If that is still unchecked, then I hope that you enjoy being bald

I'll see if others know the solution. In the mean time, please tell us what antivirus software you have installed.

LOL I'll get a warm hat! All the settings stayed the way I set them. Anti-virus program is Norton 360. It is updated and run at the very least once a day. Thank you for checking if anyone else has had this issue. If, by some miracle, I find out what the problem is I will let you know.

I was hoping that your AV software had changed and was forcing this password issue... but I don't see any mention of that type of feature in Norton 360 via Google.