How do I turn off boot password?

[dcfrench]

I do not want to be asked for a password or a fingerprint when I turn on the computer.  How do I turn that feature off?

[KNRK]

Dear Customer,

Thank you for asking this question in HP Consumer Support Forum and providing an opportunity to assist you

From the description, you want to start the Windows 8, password free.

I would appreciate if you answer the below question.

Are you referring to user account screen by star up?

I would suggest you to follow the below steps:

a. Press “Windows Key + R”.
b. Type “netplwiz”.
c. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.
d. User Account pop windows will appear.
e. Uncheck the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box, and click/tap on OK.

I would also suggest you to refer the below links:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/user-accounts-frequently-asked-questions

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/create-user-account

Hope this helps, for any further queries reply to the post and feel free to join us again

**Click the 'Thumbs Up Button' to say Thanks**

Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

Thank You,
K N R K
Although I am an HP employee, I am speaking for myself and not for HP

[dcfrench]

No, I am asking about the HP Boot password which appears before Windows is even launched.  

[KNRK]

Are you talking about the BIOS Administrator Password or Power On Password ??

If yes.. You can just leave the password field blank and save it. By doing this you are making sure that the unit will not ask for the password again

Regards,
KNRK
I work for HP

[dcfrench]

But how do I DO THAT????

[dcfrench]

Please understand that I cannot figure out how to change my BOOT-time password.   The BIOS user interface is about as opaque as they come and I cannot find a manual that explains the options.   [CHANGE, VIEW, HIDE] ???  What in the world does that mean?  

[dcfrench]

Sorry that I got mad and used caps and everything.  It is just that this has been very frustrating for me.  I have been trying to figure this thing out for quite a while.  I have tried going into the BIOS configuration system but I find it impossible to understand.  Again, [VIEW, CHANGE, HIDE]???  What does that mean?   I tried CHANGE but nothing happened.  I searched online for a BIOS configuration manual and the only one I could find was the HP manual that simply does not explain how to make changes.  More frustration.  And now I came here and asked for help, quite clearly stating that what I wanted to remove was the BOOT password, not the Windows password, but got the answer to the Windows password.   Yet more frustration. Then when I again said what I wanted, I got a partial answer that omitted the crucial information.  Even more frustration.   I guess I am not very patient by nature so that contributes to my frustration.   But I apologize for getting upset and using CAPS, etc.  But now  I wonder if someone can please explain to me exactly how to do what I want?   I know that you said enter a blank password but what exactly is the process for doing that?  Thank you.

[REO51ST]

DCfrench.

Go into the BIOS then click on Security.

Remove all Passwords that are enabled.

If asked for the CURRENT password enter your password.

If asked for NEW password just hit enter.

If asked to VERIFY password just hit enter.

Save and exit

REO

[dcfrench]

Sorry but no go.

The first question I have to answer when I try to enter the BIOS configuration system is:  "Log in into F10 as guest user?"  Now, that doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense, does it?  "Log in into"?  I presume that it means  "Log into " but what the hell does "Log into F10"  mean?  I don't want to log into F10.  I want to log into the BIOS configuration system.  How does one log into F10?  (More infuriatingly bad user interface design, IMHO).

But I am venting again because that's not relevant to the problem.  

I don't know what the correct answer is because I don't understant the question but there are only two choices, so I try them one at a time.

If I answer yes, and then go to Security, there are exactly three non-shaded options and none of them allow me to "Remove all passwords that are enabled, as per your instructions.  Instead, they are:  1) Setup BIOS Admin Password, 2) ANTI-THEFT, and 3) DRIVELOCK.  I don't know what the second two are since there is no documentation on either of them or explanatory text on screen (sigh!) but when I click them, they show no selectable options anyway - so it doesn't really matter.  So I assume that the correct choice is 1) Setup BIOS Admin Password.  Sounds right.   So I try leaving the password field blank and hitting Return but it won't accept it.  Says that is an invalid password.  So  I try the password that I have to use every time I boot the computer and that I would love to get rid of.  It doesn't accept that either - same reason.  

So nothing works! Time to try answering NO to the enigmatic "Log in into F10 as guest" question.  This is even worse than if I answer YES.  In this case the Security options are all shaded except ANTI-THEFT and when I click it, it shows no options at all.  

So it is a complete strikeout. 

What now?

[dcfrench]

I know, no one wants to continue to answer my questions because I always express anger and frustration at the user interface for the BIOS configuration system.   But you know, it *is* damned awful.  And there is no manual that clarifies it.  Honestly - this is HP, not some back alley Taiwanese PC chop shop!  You would think that they might have hired a user experience consultant to give some direction if they couldn't do a professional job themselves - which they obviously could not.   Or at least they might have hired a tech writer to create a manual that explains the tortured syntax and opaque set of options.   

Back to my problem:

Today I realized that I must have never created a BIOS admin account and that is what the "Setup BIOS password" is for, even though to be accurate it really should say Setup BIOS admin account and then ask me for a password for the new account. 

So OK, I created a new password just for the BIOS admin - thereby creating an account - and now some additional pieces of the UI appears.  But it is as confusing as it was before I got this far!  The previous reply from a person who works for HP, told me to "Remove all passwords that are enabled".   But here is no apparent way to do that.  Did you mean to remove all existing ACCOUNTS?  There is an option for removing accounts.   I know that you are under no obligation to give me accurate and precise intructions, but the fact that you work for HP I would think would encourage you to do just that. Or maybe you just not know what the interface actually looks like and are giving me instructions from memory.    If so, it isn't working.

 I know, now I have really lost any chance of getting help on this because I criticised the one person who was willing to offer help.   But if someone does decide to help, could you please look at the actual options that appear on the screen and give instructions that match what you see on the screen?   It would help enormously.   Thank you!   And while you are at it, could you encourage HP to commission the writing of a user guide to the BIOS configuration system? Why does that not already exist - especially given the absymal quality of the UI?  The manual might address such things as  If only somewhere some  documentation would have clarified what all the different types of accouts are and how to use them, what DriveLock, SpareKey, and Theft Protection are and what exactly they do and how one should use them. Users are not prescient and most have limited technical experience - so a manual is really needed.  Hell, I'm a software engineer with thirty years' experience and I can't decipher the **bleep** interface, so what hope is there for the poor clueless user?  So come on - a little consideration for your users, HP!    **bleep**, I wish Bill and Dave were still around.

Thanks!