Enable Num Lock on Startup - Automatic Num Lock Guide
Simplifying Windows 10 Login with Numeric PINs and Num Lock
Windows 10 provides a convenient method for logging in using a numeric PIN, offering a faster alternative to traditional, more complex passwords.
If your keyboard is equipped with a numeric keypad, this PIN can be entered directly from that pad – provided Num Lock is activated.
Enabling Num Lock at Startup
Ideally, Windows 10 would offer a straightforward option to automatically enable Num Lock upon system boot. However, this functionality isn't natively implemented as a default setting.
While some systems allow enabling "Num Lock at Boot" within the BIOS or UEFI settings, this method proved unreliable in our testing, even with Fast Startup disabled.
Therefore, an alternative approach is necessary, though it requires a few additional steps.
Windows 10 Creators Update and PIN Login
Following the release of the Windows 10 Creators Update in April 2017, a significant change was implemented regarding PIN entry.
Users can now successfully enter a numeric PIN on the sign-in screen regardless of the Num Lock status.
Although enabling Num Lock at boot is no longer essential for PIN-based logins, you might still choose to activate it for other purposes.
Here's a summary of the benefits:
- Faster login with a numeric PIN.
- Convenience of using the numeric keypad.
- Automatic Num Lock activation streamlines the process.
PIN login offers a balance between security and ease of access, making it a popular choice for Windows 10 users.
Modifying the Windows Registry for Automatic Num Lock Activation
For users interested in related information, exploring how to add a PIN to your Windows 10 account can enhance security.
The behavior of the Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock keys upon system startup is governed by settings within the Windows registry. Altering these registry settings is necessary to configure Windows 10 to automatically activate Num Lock during the boot process.
To begin, launch the Registry Editor. This can be achieved by opening the Start menu, typing "regedit," and then pressing Enter. Confirm the User Account Control (UAC) prompt when it appears.
The next step involves modifying the "InitialKeyboardIndicators" value in multiple locations within the registry.
First, navigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\KeyboardIn the right pane, locate and double-click the "InitialKeyboardIndicators" value. Change its data to "2".
Expand the "HKEY_USERS" folder. You will now need to replicate the previous modification across several user profiles within this folder.
Start by accessing:
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\KeyboardSet the "InitialKeyboardIndicators" value to "2" here. Subsequently, repeat this process for the folder directly beneath the .DEFAULT folder, which will be identified by a prefix beginning with "S-".
Continue this procedure for all remaining folders contained within HKEY_USERS, ensuring that the "InitialKeyboardIndicators" setting under each "Control Panel\Keyboard" subkey is set to 2.
Resolving Automatic Num Lock Activation at Boot
Following the initial configuration adjustments, a simple reboot is generally expected to activate Num Lock automatically upon Windows 10 startup. However, this expectation is often not met due to the interference of the Fast Startup feature, also referred to as Hybrid Boot.
This feature overrides the standard settings, resulting in Windows consistently booting with Num Lock deactivated. Fortunately, there are two viable solutions to address this issue.
One approach involves disabling Fast Startup altogether. However, a more refined technique exists that allows you to retain the benefits of hybrid boot while still achieving automatic Num Lock activation.
After implementing the necessary registry modifications, initiate a complete shutdown of your computer. Avoid simply restarting; select the "Shut down" option instead.
Upon powering on the computer again, reach the login screen and press the Num Lock key once to activate it. Crucially, do not proceed to log in. From the login screen, access the power menu and select "Shut down" to power off the system once more.
Restarting the computer after this sequence should result in Num Lock being enabled at the login screen. This process appears to place Fast Startup into a state where it consistently enables Num Lock during each boot. While unconventional, this method proves effective. (Credit for discovering this workaround goes to DznyRulz on Reddit.)
Related: An examination of the advantages and disadvantages of Windows 10's "Fast Startup" Mode.
Alternatively, you can prevent this behavior by disabling the Fast Startup feature following the registry adjustments. If the previously described trick doesn't yield the desired results, disabling Fast Startup is a recommended alternative.
To disable it, open the Control Panel, navigate to "Hardware and Sound," then select "Power Options." Click on "Choose what the power buttons do." Then, click the "Change settings that are currently unavailable" link located at the top of the screen. Finally, uncheck the "Turn on fast startup (recommended)" option and click "Save changes."
Subsequent computer boots will be slightly slower – potentially by a few seconds on a Solid State Drive – but the Num Lock key will be enabled automatically upon startup.
Ideally, the Windows operating system would handle this configuration by default. However, currently, achieving this functionality requires some manual intervention. The resulting convenience, however, makes the effort worthwhile.
Image Source: John on Flickr