Netplwiz.exe – What is it, Error & How to Use it?

The netplwiz.exe a utility tool that is responsible for managing user accounts and it is considered to be a fundamental part of the security aspect of the Windows operating system. It can be used to edit the username or carry out evaluations of the user credentials in the Windows system.

What is netplwiz?

Using netplwiz tool, you can change the user membership to Standard user, Administrator, Guest, or any other profile. It’s a very handy tool that provides an interface to Add or Edit the user’s profile.

File Size and Location

In Windows 10/8/7, the Netplwiz.exe file is located under C:\Windows\System32 and the executable usually takes up around 39.5 KB of space.

Quick Overview

How to Use Netplwiz.exe

Disabling Secure Sign In:

The Secure Sign-In is the component of Windows that protects the system via the initial lock screen. However, it doesn’t stop anyone with your credentials from entering your system nor does it stop the malicious code that resides in the system’s background from capturing those credentials and infecting your computer. You can use the netplwiz.exe command to disable the Secure Sign-In utility and protect your system from future threats.

1. Launch a Run command by holding the Windows + R key simultaneously.
2. Type netplwiz and press the Enter button
3. When the User Account Control Panel appears onscreen, click on the Advanced tab.
4. Under the ‘Secure Sign-In’ registry, find the “Require Users to Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete” option and uncheck the checkbox, disabling the utility.
   
5. Hit the Apply button and end the process by clicking

Using Windows Without a Password:

In case you forget your password, you can use the netplwiz.exe command to create a new password or remove it altogether.

1. Press Windows + R key together
2. Enter netplwiz.exe in the text bar and hit OK.
3. Once the User Accounts Control Panel appears onscreen, select the name of your user account. If there are multiple user accounts present, select the one you wish to enter without a password.
4. Now, click on the Users tab and locate where it is mentioned: “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer”.
5. Uncheck the box next to it and confirm the change by clicking
6. A window that will set up your computer to not require a password will appear on the screen. After you enter your preferred user account, be sure to leave the password text bars empty and hit OK.
7. Confirm the changes you made by hitting OK and leave the window.

Is netplwiz.exe a virus?

Users should be wary of downloading software from unreliable vendors as they can act as a disguise for dangerous malware. Malware will often enter systems under the name of a trusted executable such as netplwiz.exe and steal important data or corrupt the system.

If you are unsure whether or not your netplwiz.exe is a virus, check its location. If it cannot be found in its official location as mentioned in Quick Overview, then it may be a virus and it is critical that it must be removed immediately.

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