Interactive logon: Don't display username at sign-in
Applies to
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Windows Server 2022
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2016
Describes the best practices, location, values, and security considerations for the Interactive logon: Don't display username at sign-in security policy setting.
Reference
A new policy setting has been introduced in Windows 10 starting with Windows 10 version 1703. This security policy setting determines whether the username is displayed during sign in. This setting only affects the Other user tile.
If the policy is enabled and a user signs in as Other user, the full name of the user isn't displayed during sign-in. In the same context, if users type their email address and password at the sign-in screen and press Enter, the displayed text “Other user” remains unchanged, and is no longer replaced by the user’s first and last name, as in previous versions of Windows 10. Additionally,if users enter their domain user name and password and click Submit, their full name isn't shown until the Start screen displays.
If the policy is disabled and a user signs in as Other user, the “Other user” text is replaced by the user’s first and last name during sign-in.
Possible values
- Enabled
- Disabled
- Not defined
Best practices
Your implementation of this policy depends on your security requirements for displayed logon information. If you have devices that store sensitive data, with monitors displayed in unsecured locations, or if you have devices with sensitive data that are remotely accessed, revealing logged on user’s full names or domain account names might contradict your overall security policy.
Location
Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options
Default values
| Server type or Group Policy object (GPO) | Default value |
|---|---|
| Default domain policy | Not defined |
| Default domain controller policy | Not defined |
| Stand-alone server default settings | Not defined |
| Domain controller effective default settings | Not defined |
| Member server effective default settings | Not defined |
| Effective GPO default settings on client computers | Not defined |
Policy management
This section describes features and tools that are available to help you manage this policy.
Restart requirement
None. Changes to this policy become effective without a device restart when they're saved locally or distributed through Group Policy.
Policy conflict considerations
None.
Group Policy
This policy setting can be configured by using the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) to be distributed through Group Policy Objects (GPOs). If this policy isn't contained in a distributed GPO, this policy can be configured on the local computer by using the Local Security Policy snap-in.
Security considerations
This section describes how an attacker might exploit a feature or its configuration, how to implement the countermeasure, and the possible negative consequences of countermeasure implementation.
Vulnerability
An attacker with access to the console (for example, someone with physical access or someone who can connect to the device through Remote Desktop Session Host) could view the name of the last user who logged on. The attacker could then try to guess the password, use a dictionary, or use a brute-force attack to try to sign in.
Countermeasure
Enable the Interactive logon: Don't display user name at sign-in setting.
Potential impact
Users must always type their usernames and passwords when they log on locally or to the domain. The sign in tiles of all logged on users aren't displayed. When this policy is enabled, you will be unable to change the default credential provider to anything other than username/password. In addition, this policy may be incompatible with autologon and multi-factor unlock.