Microsoft has issued a cautionary note to Windows 11 users regarding a peculiar issue that has emerged following updates released since August. Users may find that the password sign-in option has seemingly vanished from the lock screen, although the functionality remains intact.
Understanding the Sign-In Options
On Windows 11, the visibility of the password icon is contingent upon the availability of multiple sign-in methods, such as PINs, security keys, fingerprints, and, of course, passwords. For users who rely solely on a password, the icon may not appear at all, as Windows defaults to displaying the password field directly.
According to updated support documentation from Microsoft, those who have installed the August 2025 KB5064081 non-security preview update or any subsequent updates on Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 systems may still encounter this issue, even if multiple sign-in options are enabled.
Interestingly, Microsoft has clarified that hovering over the area where the password icon is expected to appear will reveal the button, allowing users to log in with their password. “If you hover over the space where the icon should appear, you’ll see that the password button is still available,” the company explained. “Select this placeholder to open the password text box and enter your password. After entering your password, you can sign in normally.”
Current Status and Future Fixes
While Microsoft has not provided a workaround beyond utilizing this hidden button functionality, the company is actively working to address the issue. However, no specific timeline for a resolution has been disclosed.
In late September, Microsoft addressed another complication linked to the KB5064081 optional update, which caused playback interruptions, freezing, or black screens during the use of DRM-protected video in Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital TV applications. Additionally, the company resolved various other issues stemming from the August updates, including installation problems for non-admin Windows users due to unexpected User Account Control (UAC) prompts, as well as significant lag and stuttering issues affecting NDI streaming software on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices.
Earlier in August, following the release of the monthly Patch Tuesday updates, Microsoft also had to tackle a known issue that resulted in security updates delivered via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) failing with 0x80240069 errors. Emergency updates were subsequently released to rectify problems with broken Windows reset and recovery features on Windows 10 and Windows 10 Enterprise devices.
