Microsoft fixes bug causing password sign-in option to disappear

Microsoft Fixes Password Icon Bug in Windows 11 Lock Screen After Months of User Frustration

In a significant update for Windows 11 users, Microsoft has finally resolved a frustrating bug that hid the password sign-in option on the lock screen for months. The issue, which began with the August 2025 updates, affected users who relied on password authentication, particularly those with multiple sign-in options enabled.

The bug, first acknowledged by Microsoft in November 2025, caused the password icon to disappear from the lock screen sign-in options after installing the KB5064081 non-security preview update or subsequent updates on Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 systems. This left many users confused and frustrated, as they could still sign in with their password by hovering over the space where the icon should appear, but the workaround was far from ideal.

The Bug and Its Impact

The password icon on the Windows 11 lock screen is designed to appear only when multiple sign-in options (such as PIN, password, security key, or fingerprint) are available. However, if a user relies solely on a password, the icon may not appear because Windows 11 shows the password field by default. The bug exacerbated this issue, causing the password icon to vanish even for users with multiple sign-in options enabled.

Microsoft explained at the time, “If you hover over the space where the icon should appear, you’ll see that the password button is still available. Select this placeholder to open the password text box and enter your password. After entering your password, you can sign in normally.” While this workaround provided a temporary solution, it was far from user-friendly and left many users feeling frustrated.

The Fix: KB5074105 Update

Microsoft has now resolved this known issue in the January 2025 KB5074105 optional cumulative update for Windows 11 systems, released on Thursday, January 29. This update not only fixes the password icon bug but also addresses several other critical issues, including boot, sign-in, and activation problems.

To install KB5074105, users can navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Check for Updates and click the ‘Download and install’ link. Alternatively, the update can be manually downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Additional Fixes in KB5074105

The KB5074105 update includes 32 changes, addressing a range of issues that have plagued Windows 11 users. Some of the key fixes include:

• iSCSI Boot Failures: A bug that triggered “Inaccessible Boot Device” errors during iSCSI boot has been resolved.
• System Hang During Startup: An issue that caused the system to hang during startup when Windows Boot Manager debugging was enabled has been fixed.
• Explorer.exe Hang: A bug that caused Explorer.exe to hang during the first login when certain apps were configured as startup apps has been addressed.
• Windows License Migration Failures: An issue where Windows license migrations could fail during upgrades due to the PC’s inability to register with the Windows Activation server for its digital license has been resolved.

Other August 2025 Update Issues Resolved

In addition to the password icon bug, Microsoft has also addressed several other issues caused by the August 2025 Windows updates. These include:

• DRM Video Playback Issues: In late September 2025, Microsoft fixed a bug that caused playback interruptions, freezing, or black screens when playing DRM-protected video in Blu-ray/DVD/Digital TV apps.
• NDI Streaming Software Lag: Severe lag and stuttering affecting NDI streaming software on Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices have been resolved.
• App Installation Problems: An issue that caused app installation problems for non-admin Windows users due to unexpected User Account Control (UAC) prompts has been fixed.

Conclusion

The resolution of the password icon bug in Windows 11 is a welcome relief for many users who have been grappling with this issue for months. With the release of the KB5074105 update, Microsoft has not only addressed this specific problem but also tackled a range of other critical issues affecting Windows 11 systems. Users are encouraged to install this update to ensure their systems are running smoothly and securely.

As Microsoft continues to refine and improve Windows 11, it’s clear that the company is listening to user feedback and working diligently to resolve issues that impact the user experience. For now, Windows 11 users can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the password icon bug is finally a thing of the past.

Tags: Windows 11, Microsoft, KB5074105, password icon, lock screen, bug fix, update, Windows 11 24H2, Windows 11 25H2, iSCSI boot, DRM video playback, NDI streaming, app installation, User Account Control, UAC, Windows Activation, Explorer.exe, system hang, startup apps, digital license, Microsoft Update Catalog.

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