Enable the New Hidden Logon Screen in Windows 10

Updated 10 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Yes—on Windows 10, you can enable the older hidden sign-in screen style by changing a Registry value, but it is not a new Microsoft feature and may not appear on every build. The change affects the appearance of the sign-in screen, not your account, password, or security settings; back up the relevant Registry key first and reverse the change if it causes problems.

What the hidden logon screen means

The phrase “hidden logon screen” usually refers to an alternate Windows 10 sign-in appearance that resembles the simpler, earlier Windows sign-in interface. It is sometimes described online as a “secret” or “new” screen, but those labels can be misleading: Windows did not provide a normal Settings switch for it, and its availability depended on the Windows release and internal implementation.

In the commonly documented method, a Registry setting tells Windows whether to use an alternate sign-in presentation. On installations where the relevant component still recognizes the setting, changing it can alter the sign-in screen. On other versions, the value may do nothing. It does not unlock a hidden account, bypass a password, or change Windows Hello enrollment.

Before you change the Registry

The Registry stores Windows configuration data. Incorrect edits can cause unexpected behavior, so do not change unrelated values or copy a Registry file from an untrusted download. The steps below are intended for a personal Windows 10 PC where you have administrator access.

Make a restore point or back up the Registry key you plan to edit. In Registry Editor, select the key, choose File > Export, and save the backup somewhere easy to find.
Record the original value or note whether it was absent. That makes it easier to undo the change accurately.
If the computer is managed by an employer or school, check with its administrator instead of changing system settings.
Keep your sign-in method available. This tweak should not remove a PIN or password, but you should know your account password in case Windows asks for it.

Enable the alternate sign-in screen

Sign in to Windows 10 using an administrator account.
Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Approve the User Account Control prompt if it appears.
In Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\TestHooks. You can paste the path into the address bar at the top of Registry Editor, if that bar is available.
Look for a DWORD (32-bit) value named Threshold. If it exists, double-click it. If it does not, right-click the TestHooks key, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name the new value Threshold.
Set Threshold to 1 and make sure the base is set to Hexadecimal or Decimal. For the value 1, either base gives the same result. Select OK.
Close Registry Editor, then lock the computer with Windows key + L or sign out to check the result. If it does not change immediately, restart Windows once.

Do not modify similarly named values elsewhere in the Registry. The path matters. A DWORD (32-bit) value is the correct type even on 64-bit Windows; the label describes the Registry value format, not the processor architecture.

How the change works and what to expect

The setting is associated with Windows sign-in interface behavior, rather than a supported personalization control. The exact appearance can vary with the Windows 10 release, installed updates, device configuration, and enabled sign-in options. You may see a different layout, or no visible difference at all. A lack of change does not necessarily mean the Registry edit failed; the particular Windows build may simply ignore the setting.

Check the screen after locking or signing out, not only by closing and reopening an app. Sign-in screens can also differ depending on whether Windows is showing the lock screen, the account chooser, or the credential prompt. Those are related stages of the sign-in experience, but they are not interchangeable names for one screen.

Restore the original setting

If you prefer the previous appearance, return to the same TestHooks path and set Threshold back to its recorded original value. If you created the value because it was missing, you can delete only that Threshold value. Do not delete the entire TestHooks key, since it may contain other settings.

After reversing the edit, close Registry Editor and lock the PC or restart it. If you exported the key before changing it, you can restore that backup by double-clicking the exported file and confirming the import. Use that approach only if the backup is from the same key and you understand that importing it replaces the key’s saved contents.

Common issues and safer alternatives

The TestHooks key is missing: Confirm that you navigated to the exact path. If it truly is absent, do not create the whole chain of keys just to force a result; the tweak may not apply to that installation.
The screen looks unchanged: Lock or sign out, then restart. If the result is still unchanged, restore the original configuration and treat the tweak as unsupported on that build.
Windows Hello or a PIN still appears: This change is not a way to turn off or replace those sign-in methods. Manage sign-in options through Windows Settings if you want to adjust an available method.
You want a supported appearance change: Use Settings > Personalization > Lock screen to adjust the lock-screen background and related options. This changes supported personalization settings, not necessarily the credential screen’s layout.

For a routine, dependable setup, the safer alternative is to leave the Registry untouched and use the personalization and sign-in options exposed in Settings. Avoid third-party “logon screen unlockers,” especially if they request administrator access or ask you to replace Windows system files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the hidden logon screen a new Windows 10 feature?
No. The phrase usually describes an alternate sign-in appearance controlled through a Registry setting, not a newly introduced feature with a supported Settings switch.

Does changing Threshold disable my password?
No. The setting is about the interface, not password verification. It should not remove your password, PIN, or Windows Hello credentials.

Will this work on every Windows 10 version?
No. Windows builds and updates can differ, and some may ignore the setting. If there is no visible effect after locking or restarting, undo the edit rather than changing other Registry values.

Do I need to create Threshold if it is missing?
Only if the exact TestHooks key exists and you are comfortable making the change. If the key itself is absent, do not build a new Registry path in an attempt to force the feature.

Can I undo the change?
Yes. Restore the original value, or delete the Threshold value if you created it and it was not present before. Then lock the PC or restart to check the result.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.