Windows 7 - Secure Logon - Press CTRL + ALT + DELETE to log on

**Brink**

How to Enable or Disable Secure Log On CTRL+ALT+DELETE in Windows 7

Information

This will show you how to enable or disable having to press CTRL+ALT+DELETE before being able to enter your log on credentials in the Windows 7 log on screen.

Note

Using secure logon provides an additional layer of security for your computer by ensuring that the authentic Windows logon screen appears. When secure logon is enabled, no other program (such as a virus or spyware) can intercept your user name and password credentials as you enter them.

EXAMPLE: Secured Log On CTRL+ALT+DELETE screen
NOTE: If you have a tablet connected to your computer with it's drivers installed, then you may see Press CTRL + Alt + Delete or use the Windows Security Button to log on instead.

OPTION ONE

Through Advanced User Accounts

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the search line, type netplwiz and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

3. Click on the Advanced tab. (See screenshot below)

4. To Enable Secure Log On
A) Check the Require users to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete box. (See screenshot above)
NOTE: If the setting is grayed out, then see OPTION THREE or OPTION TWO below.

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Disable Secure Log On
A) Uncheck the Requires users to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete box. (See screenshot below step 3)
NOTE: If the setting is grayed out, then see OPTION THREE or OPTION TWO below.

6. Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 3)

OPTION TWO

Using a REG File Download

NOTE: This option will also set OPTION THREE below back to it's default setting of Not Defined.

1. To Enable Secure Log On
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Enable_Secure_Logon.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Disable Secure Log On
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Disable_Secure_Logon.reg

3. Click on Save, and save the .zip file to the desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6.When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

OPTION THREE

Through Local Security Policy

Note

When this option is set to Disabled or Enabled, it will override and gray out the settings in OPTION ONE above.

When this option is set to it's default Not Defined, then the settings in OPTION ONE above are no longer grayed out and can be set to how you like. Using a REG file in OPTION TWO above will set this option back to Not Defined.

1. Open the Local Security Policy editor.

2. In the left pane, expand Local Policies, and click on Security Options. (see screenshot below)

3. In the right pane, right click on Interactive Logon: Do not required CTRL+ALT+DEL and click on Properties. (see screenshot above)

4. To Enable Secure Log On
A) Select (dot) Disabled, and click on OK. (see screeshot below)

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Disable Secure Log On
A) Select (dot) Enabled, and click on OK. (see screeshot above)

6. Close the Local Security Policy window.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

**thefabe** · 09-08-2009

Nice tutorial Thanks Brink

**Brink** · 09-08-2009

You're most welcome Eric.

**collinsl** · 10-11-2009

When I attempt to use the CTRL + ALT + DEL feature in windows 7 pro, it keeps resetting itself to not requiring it. I have tried this before in Windows Vista and XP and the same thing happens. My laptop is a Dell XPS M1530, which has a fingerprint scanner.

I have tested setting the DisableCAD registry setting, and using netplwiz, and local security policy, and it consistently resets to not requiring CTRL + ALT + DEL.

Any suggestions?

**Brink** · 10-11-2009

Hello Conninsl, and welcome to Seven Forums.

It may have something to do with your fingerprint scanner. Double check it's documentation to see if that may be responsible for resetting it. It may not operate properly if CTRL+ALT+DEL is enabled.

As a test, you can completely uninstall and remove the fingerprint scanner to see if works afterwards.

Hope this helps some,
Shawn

TheAmazingCorey · 11-06-2009

I have done this on my Acer Aspire 5315 Laptop and now when I restarted and I clicked Ctrl + Alt + Del, there is nothing there. The only option I have is a cancel button and when I click that it goes back to saying "Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to login." Can someone please help me with this issue.

**Brink** · 11-06-2009

Hello Corey, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You might see if you can do a System Restore at boot using a restore point dated before you made this change can fix this for you.

TheAmazingCorey · 11-06-2009

that didn't work, apparently system restore was off, so luckily on my desktop I have an .ISO of Win 7 (still using the beta release) so I'm copying it over to my USB drive and going to do a repair that way. but thanks for the help, and I'm glad to be a member of these forums, so far I've learned quite a bit. thanks again.

**Brink** · 11-06-2009

A repair install should do the trick then.

**Christofur** · 03-17-2010

Was wondering how to do this ty for the share.

Windows 7 - Secure Logon - Press CTRL + ALT + DELETE to log on

Secure Logon - Press CTRL + ALT + DELETE to log on

Secure Logon - Press CTRL + ALT + DELETE to log on problems?